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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2007

November 17, 2010

Registration No. 333-139203

333-169982



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549


Amendment No. 31 to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
286920-5952523
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
2869
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
20-5952523
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

1801 Broadway, Suite 1060


Denver, CO 80202
(303) 592-8110

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)


Scott H. Pearce
BioFuel Energy Corp.
1801
1600 Broadway, Suite 1060
2200
Denver, CO 80202
Telephone: (303) 592-8110
Fax: (303) 592-8117
Thomas J. Edelman
BioFuel Energy Corp.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 371-1117
Fax: (212) 888-6877
640-6500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Mark L. Zoeller
1600 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
Telephone: (303) 640-6500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agents for service)


Copies to:


Ronald Cami
Craig F. Arcella
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: (212) 474-1000
Fax:  (212) 474-3700
Gerald S. Tanenbaum
Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp
80 Pine Street
New York, NY 10005
(212) 701-3000
Fax: (212) 269-5420



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement becomes effective.

Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box:    box. x[ ]

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:    offering.¨[ ]

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:    offering. ¨[ ]

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:    offering. ¨[ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company x


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of class of
securities
Amount to be
registered(1)
Proposed maximum
offering price
per unit
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price(1)(2)
Amount of
registration fee(3)
Title of class of    Proposed  Proposed maximum    
securities to be Amount to be  maximum offering  aggregate offering  Amount of 
registered registered  price per unit  price  registration fee(4) 
Subscription rights to purchase depositary shares 29,773,422  (1) (1) (1)
Depositary shares representing interests in
Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
 29,773,422  $0.56  $16,673,116  $1,188.79(4)
Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock,
par value $0.01 per share
 2,000,000  (2) (2) (2)
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share10,925,000 shares$18.00$196,650,000$21,042 29,773,422  (3) (3) (3)
(1) Includes 1,425,000 shares of common stock which may be purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. See ‘‘Underwriting’’.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o).
(3) $32,100 previously paid.

(1)  Pursuant to Rule 457(g) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, no separate registration fee is required for the subscription rights, since they are being registered in the same registration statement as the depositary shares underlying the subscription rights.
(2) Each depositary share represents a fractional interest in a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  Because no separate consideration will be received by the registrant for the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, no registration fee is required with respect to these securities.
(3)  The depositary shares are, by virtue of the conversion rate of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock in which they represent interests and the depositary arrangements, effectively convertible into shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.  Pursuant to Rule 457(i) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, where convertible securities and the securities into which conversion is offered are registered at the same time, the registration fee is to be calculated on the basis of the proposed offering price of the convertible securities alone.
(4)  Previously paid by the registrant in connection with the initial filing of this Registration Statement.


The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.




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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy the securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.


Subject to completion, dated April 23, 2007

November 17, 2010

Prospectus

9,500,000 shares


BioFuel Energy Corp.

Subscription Rights, Depositary Shares, Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Common Stock
We are distributing at no charge to the record holders of our common stock

This is as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                          , which we refer to as the record date, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase depositary shares representing an initial publicaggregate of 2,000,000 shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  The number of subscription rights distributed in this rights offering will be                          .  The subscription rights will be distributed pro rata to the holders of our common stock based on the number of shares of common stock by BioFuel Energy Corp.

Priorheld on the record date.  Each subscription right will permit the holder of such right to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. We are selling 9,500,000 sharesacquire, at a rights price equal to $0.56, one depositary share under the basic subscription privilege and will also provide an over-subscription privilege.  This rights price represents a                          % discount to the closing price of common stock. The estimated initial public offering price is between $16.00 and $18.00 per share.

We have applied to list our common stock on                          .  The over-subscription privilege will entitle the holder of the subscription right to subscribe for an additional amount of depositary shares equal to up to 100% of the depositary shares for which the holder was otherwise entitled to subscribe.  The subscription rights will expire and have no value if they are not exercised by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                          , the expiration date.  The subscription rights may not be sold or transferred.  All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable.  Subject to certain conditions and possible reductions as described in more detail herein, the total proceeds expected to be raised in the rights offering is $              .


Each depositary share will represent a fractional interest in a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock equal to   of a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus) and will entitle the holder, through the depositary, to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of such share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement.  Each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will, following the approval by the holders of our common stock and class B common stock of the authorization and issuance of additional shares of common stock, automatically convert into          shares of common stock (subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus).  Upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, each depositary share shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one share of common stock and, upon the distribution of one share of common stock to the holder of each such depositary share, each such depositary share shall be automatically cancelled and have no further value.  The depositary will distribute the shares of common stock it receives upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to the holders of the depositary shares entitled to receive such distribution in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares held by each such holder, on the date of receipt or as soon as practicable thereafter.

BioFuel Energy Corp. is a holding company and its sole asset is its membership interest in BioFuel Energy, LLC, which we refer to as the “LLC.”  Concurrent with this rights offering, the LLC will be conducting a concurrent private placement.  The LLC’s concurrent private placement has been structured so as to provide the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), whose interests are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of common stock, with a private placement that is economically equivalent to this rights offering.  Subject to certain conditions and possible reductions as described in more detail herein, the total proceeds expected to be raised by the LLC in the LLC’s concurrent private placement is $              .

Existing stockholders and holders of membership interests in the LLC that are also lenders under our bridge loan agreement or under our subordinated loan agreement have agreed, subject to certain conditions and possible reductions, to participate in this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement for their full basic subscription privileges and to purchase immediately prior to expiration of this rights offering all of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering and to purchase all of the available preferred membership interests in the LLC not otherwise sold in the LLC’s concurrent private placement. 

Shares of our common stock are traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ‘‘BIOF’’.


Per shareTotal
Initial public offering“BIOF.”  The closing price$                $       
Underwriting discount$                $       
Proceeds to BioFuel, before expenses$                $       

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 1,425,000 additional shares of our common stock on            was $                 per share.  The depositary shares will be transferable following the same terms and conditions set forth above to cover over-allotments, if any.

initial issuance of the depositary shares.  The depositary shares will not be listed for trading on any stock exchange.  The depositary shares are a new issue of securities for which there currently is no market.

Investing in our common stockthe securities offered by this prospectus involves a high degree of risk. See ‘‘Risk factors’’You should carefully consider the risks described under the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus beginning
on page 10.

23 before buying any of the depositary shares offered hereby.


Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the sharesdate of common stock to investors onthis prospectus is                    , 2007.


2010

Table of Contents
JPMorganCitiA.G. Edwards
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.Cowen and Company
Prospectus Summary 1 
Summary of the Rights Offering9
Risk Factors23
Forward-Looking Statements47
Use of Proceeds48
Market Price and Dividends on Common Stock49
Capitalization51
Selected Financial Data52
The Rights Offering54
Description of Capital Stock71
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management84
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences87
Plan of Distribution92
Legal Matters92
Experts92
Incorporation by Reference92
Where You Can Find More Information93

, 2007




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About This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or to which we have referred you, including any free writing prospectus that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to this prospectus.  We have not and the underwriters have not, authorized any personanyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus isany other information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may provide you. We are not making an offer to sell, nor is it an offer to buy, theseof securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.  TheTo the extent that any facts or events arising after the date of this prospectus, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information presented in this prospectus, is complete and accurate as of the date on the front cover, but the information may have changed since that date.

‘‘BioFuel Energy Corp.’’ and our logo are trademarks for which we have applied for federal trademark protection. Other products, services and company names mentioned in this prospectus arewill be updated to the service marks or trademarks of their respective owners.

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Industryextent required by law to contain all material information.  We encourage you to consult your own counsel, accountant and market data

We obtained the industry, marketother advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and competitive datarelated advice regarding an investment in our securities.


As used in this prospectus, from our own research, internal surveys and studies conducted by third parties, industry associations or general publications and other publicly available information. Much of our discussion of the ethanol industry, including government regulation and forecasted demand growth is based on information published by the Renewable Fuels Association, or RFA, the national trade association for the American ethanol industry, to which we belong. Because the RFA is a trade organization, it may present information in a manner that is more favorable to the ethanol industry.

Ethanol units and ethanol production capacities

All references to gallons of ethanol refer to denatured ethanol, a blend of pure ethanol and approximately 5% unleaded gasoline. The gasoline is added as a denaturant, rendering the ethanol undrinkable and therefore not subject to alcoholic beverage taxes.

Each of our planned ethanol plants will have a production capacity specified in the applicable construction agreement. The Wood River and Fairmont plants will each have a production capacity of 115 million gallons per year, or Mmgy, of ethanol. We also expect our planned Alta facility to have a 115 Mmgy production capacity. ‘‘Mmgy’’ means millions of gallons per year, ‘‘Bgpy’’ means billions of gallons per year and ‘‘Mmbtu’’ means millions of British Thermal Units.

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Summary

This summary highlights certain information in the prospectus. It does not contain all information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including ‘‘Risk factors’’ before making an investment decision. Unlessunless the context requires otherwise, ‘‘BioFuel’’, ‘‘we’’, ‘‘our’’“BioFuel,” “we,” “our,” “us” and ‘‘us’’the “Company” refer to BioFuel Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries, after giving effect to the recapitalization described below.subsidiaries.  References to ‘‘Cargill’’“Cargill” refer to Cargill, Incorporated and its subsidiaries or affiliates.

Overview

We are

v

Prospectus Summary
This prospectus summary highlights certain information about us and this rights offering. Because it is a development stage company whose goalsummary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether or not you should exercise your subscription rights. To understand this rights offering fully, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section, the “The Rights Offering” section and the information incorporated by reference herein.
Our Company
BioFuel Energy Corp. produces and sells ethanol and its co-products, primarily wet and dry distillers grain, through its wholly owned ethanol production facilities located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota.  Each of these facilities has a nameplate capacity, based on the maximum amount of permitted denaturant, of approximately 115 million gallons per year, or Mmgy.  Our strategy is to become a leading ethanol producerone of the most profitable companies in the United States. We are currently constructing two 115 Mmgy ethanol plants in the Midwestern corn belt. In addition, we expect to commence construction ofindustry on a third 115 Mmgy ethanol plant later this year. At each location, Cargill, with whom we have an extensive relationship, has a strong local presenceper gallon basis by operating our facilities at or above nameplate capacity, focusing on low-cost operations and directly or through affiliates, owns adjacent grain storage facilities. Three similar sites are being developed in anticipation of the possible construction of additional plants. All six sites were selected primarily based onutilizing our experienced management and operations team, access to favorably priced corn as well as availabilitya variety of rail transportationethanol markets and natural gas. We ultimately expect to grow, at least in part, through acquisitions. However, in current market conditions, we believe it is more attractive financially to build rather than buy. We will continue to asses s the build versus acquire trade-off as we consider initiating construction on one or more of our next three sites.

From inception, we have worked closelyunique partnership with Cargill, one of the world’s leading agribusiness companies.

We are a holding company with no operations of our own, and are the sole managing member of BioFuel Energy, LLC, which we refer to as the “LLC,” which is itself a holding company and indirectly owns all of our operating subsidiaries and assets. The Company’s ethanol plants are owned and operated by the operating subsidiaries of the LLC.
Our Facilities
Our facilities are located strategically in the Midwest “Corn Belt,” and each of our facilities is able to meet local, regional, national and international demand for ethanol.  Both facilities have unit train access to the Union Pacific Railway, and are positioned in some of the lowest-priced, highest-supply feedstock markets in the United States.  Below is an overview of our production facilities:
Ethanol Plant Overview
Our scaled facilities have been in operation for over two years, each designed using state of the art Delta-T technology.  Over that period, we have made improvements to our utilization rates and conversion rates (measured by gallons of denatured ethanol per bushel of corn), and continuously lowered our overall fixed costs per gallon of production.  We have also identified and implemented new margin enhancement activities, including (1) re-negotiated marketing and feedstock agreements, (2) procurement of an ethanol export license for sale into higher-priced global markets and (3) high-return capital modifications and improvements to maximize plant reliability and profitability.
FAIRMONT, MN 115 MMGY PRODUCTION FACILITY
The Fairmont production facility began operations late in the second quarter of 2008 with an annual production capacity of 115 Mmgy, based on the maximum amount of permitted denaturant. The plant is located on an approximately 200-acre site owned by us located approximately 150 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The site is immediately adjacent to an existing Cargill will handlegrain elevator, with storage capacity of two million bushels representing nearly 18 days’ production at full capacity. The grain elevator provides all required corn procurement, marketing ofstorage and handling capacity for the plant and, together with the site on which it sits, has been leased, effective September 2008, from Cargill pursuant to a 20-year lease.
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The Fairmont facility also has unit train capabilities for shipping both ethanol and distillers grain on the Union Pacific Railway, which provides a low cost source of transportation as well as access to local, regional, national and transportation logistics for our two initial plants under long-term contracts. In addition, they will leaseinternational markets. Natural gas distribution to the plant is provided by a lateral pipeline from the Northern Border Interstate Pipeline just north of the Ventura hub, providing a liquid and competitive market in which we procure gas. Electricity to the site is provided by Federated Rural Electric Association.
WOOD RIVER, NE 115 MMGY PRODUCTION FACILITY
The Wood River production facility began operations late in the second quarter of 2008 with an annual production capacity of 115 Mmgy, based on the maximum amount of permitted denaturant. The plant is located on an approximately 125-acre site owned by us theirlocated approximately 100 miles west of Lincoln, Nebraska. The site is immediately adjacent to an existing Cargill grain elevator, with storage capacity of three million bushels representing nearly 27 days’ production at full capacity. The grain elevator provides all required corn storage and handling facilities. We expectcapacity for the plant and, together with the site on which it sits, has been leased, effective September 2008, from Cargill pursuant to enter into similar agreements for our third plant. Finally, we will have access to Cargill’s risk management services, which we believe to be particularly attractive with regard to corn given their virtually unique position in that market.

a 20-year lease.

The Wood River Nebraskafacility also has unit train capabilities for shipping both ethanol and Fairmont, Minnesota plantsdistillers grain on the Union Pacific Railway, which provides a low cost source of transportation as well as access to local, regional, national and international markets. Natural gas distribution to the site is provided by a lateral pipeline from the Kinder Morgan Interstate Pipeline, providing a competitive means to procure gas from either the rocky mountain region or mid-continent.  We have secured transportation on this pipeline via a ten year supply agreement with Kinder Morgan. Electricity to the site is provided by Southern Power District.
Our Points of Differentiation
Our scaled assets, partnership with Cargill, leading production technology, operational excellence, extensive logistics infrastructure and experienced management team combine to position us as a leader in ethanol production.
Operational Excellence – Our uniform plant technology platform and operating infrastructure ensures that we are currently under constructionalways learning and should beimplementing new best practices at our facilities, shortening the learning curve and driving lower overall operating costs. We are also the beneficiary of a committed, experienced work force that capitalizes on new and unique opportunities to improve operational efficiency. Our plant managers, led by Doug Anderson, our Vice President of Operations, each has over 10 years of experience in the first quarterethanol industry.  Their long-term operating knowledge results in highly efficient plants with industry-leading corn conversions producing quality ethanol and co-products.
Low-Cost Corn Procurement – Our ability to procure corn at comparatively low prices in the United States is a result of 2008. Plansthe Company’s strategic locations within the Midwest “Corn Belt” and strong Cargill relationship.  By having facilities in some of the highest concentrations of corn production as well as having on-site grain elevators, we are able to constructavoid paying high transportation costs or expensive storage costs to source corn.
Scaled, High-Yield Production Assets – Our scaled 115 Mmgy “sister” facilities were each designed using a third plant in Alta, IowaDelta-T design incorporating the latest dry mill technology. We are being finalized and engineering and construction contracts relatingcommitted to that facility should be finalized within 90 to 120 days. In the interim, site preparation in Alta will begin so that construction can proceed promptly once agreements are finalized. Sites in Gilman, Illinois, Atchison, Kansas and Litchfield, Illinois have been selected as the locations for possible additional plants. Land has been optioned and permit filings have begunachieving best-in-class yields at each of these sites.

Fixed-price, turnkey construction contractsour operating facilities, having made significant investments to both maintain and improve upon the basic Delta-T platform.  The Fairmont and Wood River facilities, for example, have achieved conversion yields of approximately 2.8 gallons/bushel year-to-date in 2010 (through August 31, 2010).  Based on recent operating data, we believe this places us in the top quadrant for corn-to-ethanol conversion yields in the ethanol industry today.

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Extensive Logistics Infrastructure – Each of our plants is strategically located near the main line of the Union Pacific railroad, which provides access to domestic and international end markets, allowing Cargill to take advantage of end market price disparities. We have also equipped both of our facilities with sufficient rail sidings to allow them to load larger unit trains, providing the economies of scale necessary to achieve lower per unit freight rates.  Additionally, both plants are located immediately adjacent to existing Cargill grain elevators.  The grain elevators provide significant corn storage and handling capacity for our plants as compared to the facilities of some of our competitors.
Export License Obtained – We believe that our operating technology and installed assets are differentiated versus other technologies in place coveringthat we are able to regularly meet more stringent moisture requirements to serve certain international markets.  We have obtained an export license to ship our ethanol to international markets from the Wood River facility and have applied for an export permit for the Fairmont plantsfacility. We believe that the option to sell into international markets at higher prices is a key strategic advantage.
Developed Risk Management Strategy – We recognize the importance of commodity prices to financial performance and we manage our commodity risk using a structured risk management program focused on attempting to stabilize financial performance by efficiently buying corn and natural gas and selling ethanol and distillers grain.  Risk management activities target ethanol’s margin spread over corn, known as the ethanol “crush spread,” with The Industrial Company, or TIC, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a leading industrial general contractor.an emphasis on managing risk as opposed to forecasting commodity prices.  We currently leverage Cargill’s comprehensive risk management platform to help manage our commodity risks relating to corn, ethanol and natural gas prices and to develop strategies to hedge to beat board spreads.
Leading Industry Partner: Cargill We have entered into a construction time slot confirmed and a preliminary agreementnumber of long-term contracts with TIC to build our Alta plant. Groundbreaking for the facility is currently expected lateCargill, which participates in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of 2007. Technology for the Wood River and Fairmont plants is being provided by Delta-T Corporation of Williamsburg, Virginia, a company with extensive experience in ethanol process technology and plant operation. We have not yet reached a commercial understanding with Delta-T for using its technology at Alta. If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will need to engage an alternative technology firm for that plant before construction there can begin. Once complete, the initial three plants are expected to produce 345 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol and 1.1 million tons of distillers grain annually.


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The following table provides an overview of ethanol plants we have under construction or in development.


Under ConstructionUnder
Development
Additional Development Sites
Wood
River,
Nebraska
Fairmont,
Minnesota
Alta,
Iowa
Gilman,
Illinois
Atchison,
Kansas
Litchfield,
Illinois
Capacity115 Mmgy
115 Mmgy
115 Mmgy
115 Mmgy
115 Mmgy
115 Mmgy
Rail transportationUnion
Pacific
Union
Pacific
CN
CN and TPWUnion
Pacific
Norfolk
Southern
and BNSF
SiteOwned
OwnedOptionedOptionedOptionedOptioned
Construction startBegunBegunQ3/Q4 2007
Expected completionQ1 2008Q1 2008Q2 2009

Industry overview

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane fuel produced from renewable sources. In the United States, ethanol is produced primarily from corn. It is used primarily as a gasoline additive to increase octane ratings and comply with air emissions regulations. According to the RFA, ethanol is blended into 30%almost every aspect of the gasoline soldcorn industry in the United States.  Ethanol blends of up to 10% are approved for use by major motor vehicle manufacturers.

We believe that the ethanol industry currently lacks sufficient capacity to meet anticipated demand. Driversour relationship with Cargill provides us with a number of substantial growth prospects in the market include:

competitive advantages including:
• ·
Favorable production economics.Reliable Corn Supply Based on data provided by the RFA, the cost to produce a gallon of ethanol is currently significantly lower than the cost to produce a gallon of gasoline.
• Blending benefits. Adding ethanol to gasoline raises gasoline’s octane level and results in a more complete fuel combustion, reducing carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
• Expansion of gasoline supply. By blending ethanol with gasoline, the volume of gasoline available for sale is increased. According to the Energy Information Administration, between 1980 and 2005, petroleum refining capacity in the United States decreased approximately 5% while domestic demand increased approximately 21%.  We believe that increased pressure on domestic fuel refining capacity will result in greater demand for ethanol.
• Strong legislative and government policy support. The Renewable Fuels Standard, included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, mandated minimum annual use of 7.5 billion gallons per year of renewable fuels in the U.S. fuel supply by 2012. In addition, the President and many members of Congress and farm state legislators are extremely supportive of the ethanol industry.
• Favorable tax treatment. Ethanol’s favorable production economics are enhanced by a federal tax credit of $0.51 a gallon — $0.051 a gallon of gasoline at a 10% blend — that is received by refiners or marketers for blending ethanol into gasoline.

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• Replacement of MTBE. Historically, ethanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, were the two primary additives used to meet the Clean Air Act’s oxygenate requirements. In recent years, as a result of health and environmental concerns, refiners have been phasing out MTBE. Ethanol has served as a replacement for much of the MTBE eliminated.

Competitive strengths

We believe we have the following competitive strengths:

•  Proven management.    Our senior management has an extensive and successful record in the energy and natural resource sectors. Our Chairman, Thomas J. Edelman, has founded, led or played a significant role in managing more than half a dozen successful public and private energy companies over the past 25 years. Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Scott H. Pearce, and our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Daniel J. Simon, have significant expertise in industrial development. Our senior management has extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, individual properties and groups of properties.
•  Plant locations.    We have selected our plant locations based on an in-depth analysis designed to maximize profitability, particularly by minimizing the costs of corn, natural gas and electricity and assuring adequate rail access.
•  Relationship with Cargill.    We have entered into a number of long-term contracts with Cargill, which participates in almost every aspect of the corn industry in the United States. In addition, Cargill has made an equity investment in BioFuel. We are aware of only one other ethanol company with which Cargill has this type of commercial relationship. We believe our relationship with Cargill will provide us with a number of competitive advantages:
•  Reliable corn supply. We expect to benefit from Cargill’s expertise in corn origination services and extensive experience with corn supply in the geographic areas of our facilities. Pursuant to our corn supply agreements for our Wood River and Fairmont plants, Cargill will supply our corn requirements during the 20-year term of the contracts, regardless of local supply and demand. From inception, we believe we have priced corn on a local basis more efficiently than our competitors in the corn belt.
·
•  
Logistics and transportation.Transportation    We believe access to.  Cargill’s expertise, through its extensive network of rail and trucking relationships and an array of logistical and scheduling tools will minimizeminimizes the risk of disruption or unexpected additional transportation costs for the delivery of corn and the transportationshipment of the ethanol and distillers grain.grain products.
·
•  
Ethanol and distillers grain marketing.Distillers Grain Marketing.  Because of Cargill’sour partnership with Cargill and its significant historical experience marketing ethanol and distillers grain, Cargill will provideprovides us with immediate access to aits broad customer base. Under 10-year agreements, Cargill will beis responsible for maintaining a continuous outlet for the marketing, sale and distribution of all ethanol and distillers grain produced by our Wood River and Fairmont plants. In addition, we believe our relationship with Cargill positions us well with large end-users of ethanol due to the size and reliability of Cargill compared to other small ethanol marketers and producers that market ethanol dire ctlydirectly or through other marketing channels.  For example, our 2009 realized ethanol price was $0.06 per gallon better than the Chicago Board of Trade, or CBOT, average.
•  Risk management services.    We will have the opportunity to utilize Cargill’s comprehensive risk management platform to help manage our commodity risks relating to corn, ethanol and natural gas prices and may hedge through them.

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Experienced and Well-Rounded Management TeamWe are managed by a well-rounded and seasoned management team with experience in finance, commodities, energy, operations and agriculture, as well as extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, individual properties and groups of properties.  Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Scott H. Pearce, and our Vice President of Operations, Doug Anderson, have entered into a letter agreement with Cargill with respect to our planned Alta plantsignificant expertise in industrial development, operations and anticipate entering into long-term commercial agreements with them for this facility similar to those described above.

•  Close relationship with TIC.    We are one of TIC’s strategic ethanol accounts and have a

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priority relationship with them. We believe this will enable us to add new ethanol production capacity faster than many of our competitors by providing access to construction slots as needed. This may be a key advantage over our competitors that have not secured construction commitments for their announced capacity expansions.
•  State-of-the-art production technology and operational scale.    We expect each of our plants will utilize state-of-the-art ethanol production technology designed to produce the highest corn-to-ethanol conversion yields in the industry today, in addition to higher throughput, lower production costs and higher operating efficiency than smaller and older plants, which currently comprise the majority of industry capacity. In addition, we expect the scale of our facilities to generate significant cost efficiencies and other economies of scale.

Strategy

•  Become an industry leader.    We intend to become one of the nation’s leading producers of ethanol. We initially intend to construct three ethanol plants, each of which will produce 115 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol. We also have additional projects under development and evaluation that could further expand our ethanol production capacity. We expect to incur up to approximately $125 million in additional debt as funds are required to finance a portion of the costs of construction of our third plant.
•  Dedication to cost control and efficiency.    We are developing and constructing our ethanol facilities with a focus on minimizing cost inputs such as corn, natural gas and transportation. Once our plants are operational, we will continue to promote a culture of cost control and efficiency regardless of economic cycle.
•  Evaluate alternative production technologies.    We will continually review technological developments that could result in more efficient production. We believe our sites will accommodate modifications to utilize alternative feedstock supplies or production technologies that may become available in the future, including ethanol from corn stover, cellulosic biomass and switchgrass.
•  Flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities.    Because of the unpredictability of energy markets and commodity prices, we believe it is important to be prepared to respond quickly to strategic opportunities presented by changes in market conditions. We plan to maintain a capital structure that will enable us to withstand and capitalize on opportunities presented by changing market conditions.
• Consider possible sales of plants or plant sites.    We believe our plants will have a number of competitive advantages, particularly under certain market conditions. Consequently, there may be opportunities to sell individual plants or plant sites on favorable terms. Being dedicated to maximizing our stockholders’ returns, we expect to consider the sale of one or more plants or plant sites and to actively seek such opportunities on a regular basis.
•  Risk management.    We will seek to eventually hedge a majority of our corn and natural gas costs, as well as our primary product, ethanol. By doing so, we expect to limit our exposure to commodity price fluctuations and reduce earnings volatility.

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Risk factors

Our relationship with Cargill subjects our company to certain risks that are more fully described in the ‘‘Risk Factors’’ and ‘‘Business’’ sections. These risks include the following.

• We are dependent on Cargill, and it is possible that our interests may conflict. Cargill has commercial relationships with other ethanol producers, including at least one of our competitors, and has announced plans to develop four 100 Mmgy ethanol plants in the Midwestern United States. Cargill may favor its own interests or those of its other business partners over ours. We have waived any claims for conflict of interest under our marketing agreements with Cargill except that we have retained a right to terminate the agreements if we suffer material quantifiable loss.
• Under our agreement with Cargill, if any of five parties identified on an annual basis by Cargill acquires 30% or more of our common stock or the power to elect a majority of our Board, Cargill may terminate our commercial agreements.
• If either the Wood River or Fairmont plant is not complete by December 31, 2009, Cargill may terminate its commercial agreements relating to that plant.

risk management. In addition, we will face other significant challenges.our board of directors includes executives vastly experienced in agriculture and finance.

Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202.  Our telephone number is (303) 640-6500.  Our website address is www.bfenergy.com.  The numerous risks we are exposed to are discussed more fully in the ‘‘Risk Factors’’ section immediately followingcontent of our website is not a part of this summary. These risks include:

•  A lack of operating history;
•  Difficulties securing suitable sites, obtaining the services of qualified contractors, receiving approvals and permits and funding construction costs;
•  Possible excess production capacity in the ethanol industry resulting from new plants under construction or decreases in demand;
•  Dependence on key members of management;
•  Failure to reach definitive agreements with Cargill with respect to our Alta plant or any additional plants;
•  Dependence on TIC and its partner Delta-T, and the possibility that delays, defaults or non-performance by TIC or Delta-T could adversely affect us;
• Failure or inability to reach definitive agreements relating to the construction of and/or the technology to be used in our proposed Alta plant;
•  Emergence of new, more energy-efficient technologies for producing ethanol that could displace corn-based ethanol;
• Our significant indebtedness;
•  Fluctuations in the selling price and production cost of gasoline;
•  Possible operating disruptions in our operations;
•  Dependence on commodity prices, which are subject to significant volatility and uncertainty;
•  Increasing prices, escalation of construction costs and potential shortages of corn and natural gas;
•  The potentially adverse effects of hedging and other risk mitigation strategies;
•  Our ability to compete effectively;
•  The dependence of our industry upon a myriad of federal and state legislation and regulation, including the blenders’ credit, the Freedom to Farm Act, tariff barriers and the RFS; and
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•  The effect of environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and liabilities.

Any of the above risks could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and profitability. Investment in our common stock involves significant risks. You should read and consider the information set forth in ‘‘Risk factors’’ and all other information set forth in this prospectus before investing in our stock.

Organizational structure

Immediately prior to this offering we will effect the recapitalization described in ‘‘Organizational structure’’.

Holding Company Structure
BioFuel Energy Corp. will contribute the net proceeds to BioFuel Energy, LLC, which we refer to as ‘‘the LLC’’, in exchange for additional membership interests. Following the recapitalization and this offering, BioFuel Energy Corp. will beis a holding company whoseand its sole asset will be a controlling equityis its membership interest in the LLC. As the sole managing member of the LLC, BioFuel Energy Corp. will operateoperates and controlcontrols all of the business and affairs of the LLC and its subsidiaries.  The certificate of incorporation of BioFuel Energy Corp. will consolidate:
authorizes two classes of common stock, common stock and class B common stock, and also authorizes preferred stock. The class B common stock, shares of which are held only by the financial resultsholders of the LLC and its subsidiaries. Members of the LLC prior to the recapitalization (other than Biofuel Energy Corp.), which we refer to as our ‘‘historical LLC equity investors’’, will be the only other members of the LLC at the time of this offering and their ownership interest in the LLC will be reflected as a minority interest in BioFuel Energy Corp.’s consolidated financial statements. Our historical LLC equity investors consist of affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., Third Point LLC and Cargill, certain of our Directors and officers and certain other investors. The historical LLC equity investors’membership interests in the LLC will entitle them(other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), provides its holders with no economic rights but entitles each holder to their pro rata economic benefits in the LLC, but they will have no voting rights in the LLC. However, each historical LLC equity investor will be issued one sharevote with respect to all matters voted upon by holders of our Class B common stock for each membership interest held by them in the LLC.

Holdersshare of shares of Classclass B common stock will have no economic rights because they will not be entitled to any monetary rights, including rights to receive dividends or to receive a distribution upon a dissolution, liquidation or winding upheld; and


entitles the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp. Holders of shares of Class) to exchange their class B common stock however, will be entitled to one vote for each share held. Prior to this offering, two affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. held all the interests in BioFuel Energy Corp. We refer to these two historical investors in BioFuel Energy Corp., togetheralong with our historical LLC equity investors, as our ‘‘historical equity investors’’. To ensure that our public stockholders are treated fairly with our historical LLC equity investors, our charter will require that all distributions received from the LLC, other than distributions to cover tax obligations and other corporate expenses, will be dividended to holders of our com mon stock (which does not include the Class B common stock).

Our historical LLC equity investors may exchange their LLC membership interests for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. We expect that, asIf a resultholder of theseclass B common stock exchanges in the future, the tax basis of the LLC’s assets attributable to our interest in the LLC will be increased. These increases in tax basis will result in a tax benefit to BioFuel that would not have been available but for the future exchanges of theany LLC membership interests for shares of common stock, the shares of class B common stock held by such holder and attributable to the exchanged LLC membership interests will automatically be transferred to BioFuel Energy Corp. and be retired.

In connection with this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, BioFuel Energy Corp. will designate and issue shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that will be represented by the depositary shares and the LLC will designate and issue preferred membership interests.  The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be automatically convertible into shares of common stock and the preferred membership interests in the LLC will be automatically convertible into membership interests in the LLC upon receipt of the requisite stockholder approval.  See “The Rights Offering” and “Description of Capital Stock—LLC Preferred Membership Interests; Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement.”
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Related Agreements and Transactions
Bridge Loan Agreement
On September 24, 2010, we entered into a loan agreement (which we refer to as the “Bridge Loan Agreement”) with Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (which we refer to collectively as the “Greenlight Parties”) and Third Point Loan LLC (which we refer to as “Third Point” and, together with the Greenlight Parties, as the “Backstop Parties”) and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent, pursuant to which we borrowed $19,420,620 (which we refer to as the “Bridge Loan”).  The proceeds of the Bridge Loan were used to repay certain working capital loans under our common stock. These increases in tax basis would reduce the amount of tax that BioFuel would otherwise be requiredsenior credit agreement and to pay certain related fees and expenses.  The Bridge Loan matures on March 24, 2011, and in the future, althoughevent the IRS may challenge allBridge Loan is not paid in full on or partbefore that date, we will issue warrants to the Backstop Parties exercisable at an exercise price of the tax basis increases, and a court could sustain such a challenge. The exchanges by our historical LLC equity investors$0.01 per share for an aggregate of membership interests for shares15% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued. 
The Bridge Loan bears interest at a rate of 12.5% per annum, and if the Bridge Loan is not paid in full on or before the maturity date, the Bridge Loan will not, exceptbear interest at a rate of 14.5% per annum.
The Bridge Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants for facilities of this type, including covenants pertaining to the tax benefit generateddelivery of financial statements, notices of default and certain other information, maintenance of business and insurance, collateral matters and compliance with laws, as well as customary negative covenants for BioFuel, affectfacilities of this type, including limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness and liens, mergers and certain other fundamental changes, loans and investments, acquisitions, transactions with affiliates, dispositions of assets, payments of dividends and other restricted payments and changes in our public stockholders.

line of business.

The Bridge Loan Agreement contains default provisions that include a material breach of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and others that are customary for facilities of this type, which are subject to customary grace periods and materiality thresholds, including, among other things, defaults related to payment failures, failure to comply with covenants, misrepresentations, defaults under other material indebtedness, the occurrence of a “change of control,” bankruptcy and related events, material judgments, specified changes in control of the Company and invalidity of the related loan documents.  If an event of default occurs under the Bridge Loan Agreement, the lenders may, among other things, declare the Bridge Loan immediately payable and foreclose on the collateral.  The Bridge Loan is secured by a pledge of our equity interest in the LLC.
The Bridge Loan may be voluntarily prepaid without penalty or premium.  We intend to enteruse a portion of the proceeds of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement to repay the Bridge Loan in full.  See “Use of Proceeds.”  The Backstop Parties may require us to reduce the size of this rights offering or their commitment to purchase depositary shares that are not subscribed for by other holders in this rights offering.  We expect that any such reduction would reduce the proceeds available to us from this rights offering and may result in us not having sufficient funds available to repay the Bridge Loan at maturity or to make the other payments contemplated by the use of proceeds of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Rights Offering—At their discretion, the Backstop Parties have the ability to reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to their Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering.”
Rights Offering Letter Agreement
In connection with the Bridge Loan Agreement, on September 24, 2010, we entered into a tax benefit sharing agreementRights Offering Letter Agreement with our historical LLC equity investors that will provide for a sharingthe Backstop Parties, which was subsequently amended and restated in its entirety by the Amended and Restated Rights Offering Letter Agreement entered into with the Backstop Parties and dated as of                these tax benefits between, 2010 (which we refer to as the company“Rights Offering Letter Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to use commercially reasonable best efforts to commence this rights offering on or before January 24, 2011.  Further, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement sets forth, among other things, the terms and conditions of this rights offering and the historical LLC equity investors. Under thisLLC’s concurrent private placement, including the participation and backstop commitments of the Backstop Parties.  See “The Rights Offering” generally and, in particular, “The Rights Offering—Rights Offering Letter Agreement.”
Voting Agreements
On September 24, 2010, the Greenlight Parties entered into a voting agreement, BioFuel will make a paymentwhich was subsequently superseded in its entirety by the amended and restated voting agreement entered into by the Greenlight Parties and dated as of                     , 2010, which requires the Greenlight Parties, in connection with certain stockholder votes, to cast their votes (i) in favor of at least two directors who are not affiliated with, or employed by, and who are otherwise independent of, the Greenlight Parties and (ii) in favor of proposals to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and class B common stock to an exchanging LLC member of 85%amount sufficient to permit the issuance of the shares issuable in connection with the transactions described herein and to approve such issuance.  Also on September 24, 2010, Third Point entered into a voting agreement, which was subsequently superseded in its entirety by the amended and restated voting agreement entered into by Third Point and dated as of                     , 2010, which requires Third Point, in connection with certain stockholder votes, to cast its votes in favor of proposals to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and class B common stock to an amount sufficient to permit the issuance of cash savings, if any,the shares issuable in U.S. federal, stateconnection with the transactions described herein and local income taxto approve such issuance.
Under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we must use our commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain stockholder approval of the authorization of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock. To that end, on November 15, 2010 we filed a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a stockholder meeting to be called for such purpose, and we must use our best efforts to obtain such approval by January 24, 2011.
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Unless and until the requisite stockholder approval is obtained, no shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will convert into shares of common stock (and therefore no shares of common stock will be available for distribution by the depositary to the holders of the depositary shares).  We intend to seek the requisite stockholder approval as soon as practicable.
The Greenlight Parties are affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., which, as of November 12, 2010, owned 7,542,104 shares of common stock and 4,311,396 shares of class B common stock, which together represented 36.4% of our outstanding total voting stock (composed of our common stock and class B common stock) on that date. Third Point is an affiliate of Third Point Funds, which as of November 12, 2010, owned 5,578,800 shares of common stock, which represented 17.1% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.  Collectively, the parties to the Voting Agreements owned 53.5% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.
Reasons for this Rights Offering
We are conducting this rights offering to raise capital that we actually realize as a resultwill use, together with the proceeds of the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment, to pay off the Bridge Loan, pay off all indebtedness under the Subordinated Debt Agreement, make the Cargill Cash Payment and to pay certain fees and expenses of this increaserights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
In September 2010, $17.9 million of outstanding working capital loans under our Senior Debt Facility were scheduled to become due and it was not clear in tax basis. BioFuel and its


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common stockholders will benefit from the remaining 15% of cash savings, if any, in income tax that is realized by BioFuel. For purposes of the tax benefit sharing agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing our actual income tax liability to the amount of such taxestime that we would have sufficient liquidity to both repay these loans when due and to maintain our operations.  If we had been unable to repay the working capital loans at maturity, it would have resulted in an event of default under our Senior Debt Facility and a cross-default under our Subordinated Debt Agreement, and would have allowed the lenders to accelerate repayment of amounts outstanding.  In that event, the Company may have had to seek relief from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

In order to avoid such an event, during the late spring and summer of 2010 we evaluated various alternatives and attempted to engage in discussions with our lenders under our Senior Debt Facility and representatives for them seeking a one-year extension of the working capital loans, which by the terms of the Senior Debt Facility would have required the consent of lenders holding two-thirds of the outstanding loans or, failing that, a forbearance or other form of amendment to the Senior Debt Facility.  In early September 2010, when it became apparent that these discussions with the lenders under our Senior Debt Facility were not likely to reach a timely conclusion on terms acceptable to the Company, our board of directors commenced explorative discussions with the Greenlight Parties to have the Greenlight Parties lend the Company funds on a short-term basis in order to pay had there been no increaseoff the working capital loans at maturity.  In connection with those discussions, the parties discussed having the Company raise equity capital promptly in order to repay any such short-term loan.  The Greenlight Parties and the tax basisCompany also discussed whether the Greenlight Parties would, if requested by the Company, be willing to consider “backstopping” any proposed equity capital transaction.  The parties also engaged in discussions with Cargill regarding the modification and repayment of amounts owed by the Company to Cargill under the terms of the tangibleagreement dated January 14, 2009 by and intangible assetsbetween the Company and Cargill (which we refer to as the “Settlement Agreement”).
Because David Einhorn, who is the principal of the LLCGreenlight Parties, is a member of our board of directors, our board of directors established an independent committee consisting only of independent members of the board in order to assess the fairness of any such transaction. The independent committee engaged separate legal counsel and engaged Piper Jaffray & Co. as the independent financial advisor to the committee.  The independent committee met a number of times in September of 2010 and, on September 17, proposed to the Greenlight Parties a transaction structure consisting of a short-term bridge loan to the Company (to be used to pay off the working capital loans) followed by a rights offering, backstopped by the Greenlight Parties, to raise capital to repay the bridge loan.  Over the course of the next week, the independent committee and the Greenlight Parties negotiated the terms of such a transaction.  Toward the end of that week, the Greenlight Parties and the Company inquired as to whether Third Point would be interested in participating alongside the Greenlight Parties, and Third Point thereafter joined the negotiations.  On September 24, 2010, the committee recommended to the board and, on that date, the board of directors approved the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Voting Agreements.  David Einhorn was not involved in any of the deliberations or negotiations of the independent committee or the board in connection with the Bridge Loan Agreement, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement (or amendment thereto) or the Voting Agreements (or amendments thereto).  The terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, which govern the terms of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Voting Agreements were determined after arm’s-length negotiations between the independent committee and the Backstop Parties.
The proceeds of the Bridge Loan were used to pay off the outstanding working capital loans and to pay certain related fees and expenses.  The Rights Offering Letter Agreement was entered into in connection with the Bridge Loan Agreement because it provided a means for us to raise equity capital in this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment to repay the Bridge Loan at or prior to maturity.  Without this means of repayment, the Backstop Parties may not have provided the Bridge Loan and, as a result, we may not have been able to pay off the working capital loans at maturity.
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In negotiating and recommending to the board of directors the terms of this rights offering, the independent committee considered a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the price at which we believe our stockholders might be willing to participate in this rights offering, our need for liquidity and additional capital, the fact that no alternative transaction was imminent, the fact that all of our stockholders are entitled to participate in this rights offering on a pro rata basis and the fact that holders of subscription rights will have an over-subscription privilege.  Prior to concluding that the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and this rights offering were in our best interest, the independent committee also considered the likelihood of obtaining an extension or a forbearance of the exchangesworking capital loans on acceptable terms, the likelihood of existing stockholders realizing value in the Company in the event of a Chapter 11 filing, and hadthe fact that, pursuant to the agreed terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we have the ability to solicit and, in certain circumstances, consummate a Substitute Transaction (see “The Rights Offering—Rights Offer Letter Agreement—Substitute Transaction”).  The independent committee received financial advice from Piper Jaffray & Co., the independent financial advisor to the committee, and was advised by independent legal counsel.  In advising the independent committee, Piper Jaffray:  provided advice concerning the financial aspects, and capital market implications, of the Bridge Loan, this rights offering and potential alternative transactions; participated in telephonic meetings with the committee; and reviewed precedent transactions and provided summary comparisons of those precedent transactions to the committee.  Piper Jaffray is also advising the independent committee in connection with its review of any potential Substitute Transactions that may arise.
In structuring the terms of this rights offering, the independent committee and the Backstop Parties established the formula used to calculate the rights price at an amount substantially below the market price of our common stock at the time of determination in order to increase the attractiveness of participating in this rights offering for our stockholders.  In addition, this rights offering was structured as a rights offering for depositary shares representing fractional interests in Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock because of the likelihood that we would not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of common stock to structure this rights offering as a rights offering for new shares of common stock.  We also agreed and acknowledged that we would seek stockholder approval of a proposal to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in order to facilitate the conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock.
Cargill Letter Agreement
On September 23, 2010, we entered into a letter agreement with Cargill, Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. and our operating subsidiaries BFE Operating Company, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (which we refer to as the tax benefit sharing agreement. The term“Cargill Letter”) pursuant to which we and Cargill agreed to adjustments to certain commercial terms under our ethanol and distillers grains marketing agreements, corn supply agreements and grain facility leases.
We and Cargill also agreed that upon completion of this rights offering, (i) we will pay Cargill $2,800,829 (which we refer to as the “Cargill Cash Payment”) pursuant to the terms of the tax benefit sharing agreementSettlement Agreement and, as contemplated by the Settlement Agreement, Cargill will commenceforgive a like amount of the payable under the Settlement Agreement and (ii) upon receipt of the Cargill Cash Payment, Cargill will forgive the remaining payable under the Settlement Agreement in exchange for depositary shares in an amount equal to approximately $6,000,000 (which we refer to as the “Cargill Stock Payment”).  The payment of the Cargill Cash Payment and the Cargill Stock Payment is contingent upon the successful completion of this rights offering and the raising of proceeds in this rights offering sufficient to make the Cargill Cash Payment, after repayment of all amounts owed at the time of consummation of this rights offering under the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Subordinated Debt Agreement (for more information about our Subordinated Debt Agreement, see “Use of Proceeds”).
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The depositary shares that will make up the Cargill Stock Payment will be issued to Cargill on the 12th business day following the consummation of this rights offering and will continue until allbe valued at a per share price equal to the average of the volume weighted averages of the trading prices of our common stock, as such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless a change of control occurs and we exercise our resulting rightprices are reported on The Nasdaq Global Market, for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately preceding the date such depositary shares are issued to terminate the tax benefit sharing agreement for an amount based on agreed payments remainingCargill.  The depositary shares to be made underissued to Cargill will therefore be issued after the agreement. For additional information regarding our tax benefit sharing agreement, see ‘‘Certain relationshipsdepositary shares that will be issued upon expiration of this rights offering but will have the same rights and related party t ransactions—Tax benefit sharing agreement’’.

Immediately followingpreferences as the depositary shares that will be issued upon expiration of this offering our public stockholdersrights offering.  The depositary shares to be issued to Cargill are not being registered or sold in this rights offering.  In order to issue the depositary shares that will own approximately 29%make up the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect to issue and deposit with the depositary a number of our equity and our historical equity investors will own approximately 71%. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares immediately following this offering, public stockholders will own approximately 32% of our equity and historical equity investors will own approximately 68%.

Corporate information

BioFuel Energy Corp. was formed as a Delaware corporation in April 2006 as a holding company through which certain of our historical equity investors hold membershipSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that corresponds to the aggregate fractional interests in shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that the LLC. newly issued depositary shares represent.

In the event that an insufficient number of authorized shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock are available for such issuance and deposit with the depositary, we expect to establish an alternative method for satisfying the Cargill Stock Payment that is satisfactory to us, Cargill and the Backstop Parties.
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Summary of the Rights Offering

The LLC was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in January 2006. Forfollowing description summarizes the material terms of this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the depositary shares and the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  See “The Rights Offering,” “Description of Capital Stock—Description of the Depositary Shares” and “Description of Capital Stock—Description of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock” for a more completedetailed description of our company history, please refer to ‘‘Organizational structure — Company history’’.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1801 Broadway, Suite 1060, Denver, Colorado 80202. Our telephone number is (303) 592-8110. Our website address is www.bfenergy.com. The content of our website is not a partthe terms and conditions of this prospectus.

rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the depositary shares and the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.

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The offering

Overview
CommonWe are distributing to the holders of our common stock offered by usnon-transferable subscription rights to purchase depositary shares.  Each depositary share will represent a fractional interest in this offering9,500,000a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock equal to                of a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and will entitle the holder, through the depositary, to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of such share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  Each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will, following the requisite stockholder approval, automatically convert into             shares
Common of common stock.  Upon conversion, each depositary share shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one share of common stock and, Class Bupon the distribution of one share of common stock to the holder, each such depositary share shall be outstanding after this offering32,500,000 totalautomatically cancelled and have no further value.  As a result, the depositary shares are effectively convertible on a one-for-one basis into shares of which 14,268,044our common stock.
The Subscription Rights
We are distributing at no charge to the record holders of our common stock as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                    , the record date, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase depositary shares representing an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  Each subscription right will permit the holder of such right to acquire, at a rights price equal to $0.56, one depositary share under the basic subscription privilege and will also provide the holder of such right with an over-subscription privilege.
The subscription rights will be distributed pro rata to the holders of our common stock based on the number of shares of common stock and 18,231,956held on the record date.  The number of subscription rights distributed to the holders of our common stock in this rights offering will be sharesdetermined as described under “—Number of Class B common stock. HoldersRights; Number of shares of Class B common stock will have no economicLLC Purchase Privileges.”  Fractional subscription rights butresulting from such pro rata distribution will be entitledeliminated by rounding up to one vote for each share held. In addition, therethe nearest whole right.
Concurrent Private Placement
General.  Concurrent with this rights offering, the LLC will be 18,231,956grant at no charge purchase privileges to the record holders (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) of membership interests in the LLC that can be exchanged for newly issued sharesas of common stock5:00 p.m., New York City time, on               , the record date, to purchase a one-for-one basis,new class of preferred membership interests in which case the related sharesLLC (which we refer to as the “LLC’s concurrent private placement”).  Each LLC purchase privilege will permit the holder of Class B common stocksuch privilege to acquire, at a price equal to $0.56, one preferred membership interest in the LLC under the LLC basic purchase privilege and will be retired.
Usealso provide the holder of proceedsWe estimatesuch LLC basic purchase privilege with an LLC additional purchase privilege.  The LLC additional purchase privilege will entitle the holder of the LLC purchase privilege to purchase an additional amount of preferred membership interests equal to up to 100% of the preferred membership interests that the net proceeds from this offering will approximate $147 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and our offering expenses.  We intendholder was otherwise entitled to use up to $50 million of the net proceeds to repay all outstanding subordinated debt.purchase.  We expect that all remaining proceeds will ultimately be used to fund the equity portionrecord date, term and expiration date of the construction costsLLC’s concurrent private placement will be the same as those of our Alta plant.  However, prior to the time funds are required at Alta, we may use them to repay or defer borrowing under our bank construction loans for the Wood River and Fairmont plants.
this rights offering.
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As funds are required for the construction
Grant of our Alta ethanol plant, we expect to borrow up to approximately $125 million of additional debt under existing or subsequent bank facilities, which, in combination with proceeds from this offering and internal cash flow, would fund such expenditures. For further discussion of our expected use of proceeds from this offering, see ‘‘Use of proceeds’’LLC Purchase Privileges.
Voting rightsEach share of our common stock will entitle its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by stockholders generally. Our public stockholders will collectively have approximately 29% of the voting power in BioFuel Energy Corp. (or approximately 32% if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares) and our historical equity investors will have approximately 71% of the voting power in BioFuel Energy Corp. (or approximately 68% if the underwriters

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exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares).
Each memberAll members of the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will be entitled to receive the LLC purchase privileges.  The LLC purchase privileges will be granted pro rata to the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) based on the number of membership interests held by them on the record date.  The number of LLC purchase privileges granted to the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) in the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be determined as described under “—Number of Rights; Number of LLC Purchase Privileges.”  Fractional LLC purchase privileges resulting from such pro rata distribution will be eliminated by rounding up to the nearest whole purchase privilege.
Issuance of Preferred Membership Interests.  Immediately prior to the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the LLC will amend and restate its limited liability company agreement to add the preferred membership interests as a new class of LLC membership interest.  Immediately following the consummation of the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will be entitled to receive preferred membership interests in amounts to be determined in accordance with their exercise of LLC basic purchase privileges and LLC additional purchase privileges (and, in the case of the Backstop Parties, determined in accordance with their exercise of the Backstop Commitment for preferred membership interests).  Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering, BioFuel Energy Corp. will contribute all proceeds of this rights offering to the LLC, and the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of preferred membership interests equal to the number of depositary shares that BioFuel Energy Corp. issued in this rights offering.  The LLC will then apply the proceeds of this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment as described under “—Use of Proceeds.”  Concurrent with the making of the Cargill Stock Payment, the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of preferred membership interests equal to the number of depositary shares issued to Cargill in the Cargill Stock Payment.
Terms of Preferred Membership Interests.  The preferred membership interests will (i) be automatically convertible as described immediately below, (ii) be entitled to pro rata distributions from the LLC, on an equivalent one-to-one basis with the membership interests, (iii) have a liquidation preference in the LLC equal to $0.56 per preferred membership interest and (iv) have only limited voting rights in the LLC.  For a full description of the preferred membership interests, see “Description of Capital Stock— LLC Preferred Membership Interests; Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement.”
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Conversion of Preferred Membership Interests.  Following the requisite stockholder approval, all preferred membership interests will automatically convert into membership interests on a one-for-one basis and the holders of the preferred membership interests (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will also receive one share of our Classclass B common stock for each membership interest held.received upon conversion.
Purpose of LLC’s Concurrent Private Placement.  The LLC’s concurrent private placement has been structured so as to provide the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), who hold membership interests that are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of Class B common stock, with a private placement that is economically equivalent to this rights offering.
Number of Rights; Number of LLC Purchase Privileges
The number of subscription rights distributed in this rights offering will be determined by dividing the Offering Size (as defined below) by $0.56.
The number of LLC purchase privileges granted in the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be determined by dividing the Private Placement Size (as defined below) by $0.56.
Rights Price
The “rights price” for this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement means $0.56, which was calculated pursuant to the Rights Offering Letter Agreement as the dollar amount equal to 25% of the average per share closing price of our common stock for the five trading days immediately following the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The rights price of $0.56 represents a significant discount to the market price of our common stock at the time of determination.  This rights price represented a                          % discount to the closing price of our common stock on                          .
Aggregate Size; Offering Size; Private Placement SizeThe “Aggregate Size” of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be an aggregate amount sufficient to (i) repay all amounts owed at the time of consummation of this rights offering, including accrued and unpaid interest, under the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Subordinated Debt Agreement (for more information about our Subordinated Debt Agreement, see “Use of Proceeds”), (ii) make the Cargill Cash Payment and (iii) pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, but is subject to reduction as described under “—Reduction by Backstop Parties.”  The Aggregate Size (subject to any such reduction) will be determined prior to commencement of this rights offering, will be included in an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and is currently anticipated to be approximately $44,000,000.
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The “Offering Size” of this rights offering will be an amount equal to the Aggregate Size multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date plus the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) as of the record date.
The “Private Placement Size” of the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be an amount equal to the Aggregate Size multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) as of the record date and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date plus the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) as of the record date.
The Aggregate Size will equal the Offering Size plus the Private Placement Size.  Assuming that from November 12, 2010 until the record date there are no changes in the total number of shares of common stock outstanding or the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), we expect the Offering Size to be $34,394,435 and the Private Placement Size to be $9,605,565.
Basic Subscription Privilege
The basic subscription privilege of each subscription right will entitle you to purchase one depositary share per subscription right at a rights price per depositary share equal to $0.56.  Under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement described below, the Backstop Parties have no economicagreed, subject to certain conditions, to exercise their basic subscription privileges in full (subject to reduction in certain circumstances).
Over-Subscription PrivilegeIf you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege, you will be entitled to subscribe for additional depositary shares that remain unsubscribed as a result of any unexercised basic subscription privileges pursuant to your over-subscription privilege.  The over-subscription privilege allows a holder to subscribe for an additional amount of depositary shares equal to up to 100% of the depositary shares for which such holder was otherwise entitled to subscribe.  The Backstop Parties may exercise their over-subscription privileges in this rights butoffering.
If there is a sufficient number of depositary shares available to fully satisfy the over-subscription privilege requests of all holders following the exercise of subscription rights under their basic subscription privileges, all over-subscription requests will be honored in full.  If insufficient depositary shares are available to fully satisfy the over-subscription privilege requests of all holders, the available unsubscribed depositary shares will be distributed proportionately among those holders who exercised their over-subscription privilege based on the number of depositary shares each holder subscribed for pursuant to their over-subscription privilege.  Fractional depositary shares resulting from the proportionate distribution of unsubscribed depositary shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege will be eliminated by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
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If and to the extent that the Backstop Parties determine, after consultation with us, that the exercise of over-subscription privileges would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or any of the Backstop Parties, we may reduce or eliminate, pro rata for all holders of subscription rights, the exercise of over-subscription privileges. In the event that the exercise of over-subscription privileges is so reduced, the available unsubscribed depositary shares will be distributed proportionately among those holders who exercised their over-subscription privilege based on the number of depositary shares each holder subscribed for pursuant to their over-subscription privilege.
The Depositary Shares
General.  Each depositary share will represent a fractional interest in a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the fraction determined by dividing 2,000,000 by the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment and will entitle the holder of such depositary share, through the depositary, to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of such share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement.
The Depositary.  The holders of depositary shares will exercise their proportional rights in the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock through the depositary.  The depositary for the depositary shares will be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
Dividends.  The depositary will deliver any cash it receives in respect of dividends or other distributions on the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares held by such holders, on the date of receipt or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Voting.  To the extent practicable, the depositary will vote the amount of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by any depositary shares in accordance with the voting instructions it receives (if any) from holders of such depositary shares.  As described immediately below, the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock have only limited voting rights.
Distribution of Common Stock.  As described below, upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, each depositary share shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one vote forshare of common stock and, upon the distribution of one share of common stock to the holder of each such depositary share, each such depositary share shall be automatically cancelled and have no further value.
The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
General.  Upon the consummation of this rights offering, our board of directors will designate and issue 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock which we will deposit with the depositary.  The depositary will be the sole holder of shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  Twelve business days after the consummation of this rights offering, we expect to issue additional depositary shares to Cargill in order to make the Cargill Stock Payment.  In order to issue the depositary shares that will make up the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect to issue and deposit with the depositary a number of additional shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that corresponds to the aggregate fractional interests in shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that the newly issued depositary shares represent.
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Dividends.  The holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions when, as and if such dividends or distributions are paid to the holders of our common stock; provided that each share held of recordSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder to receive any such dividends or distributions in an amount equal to the aggregate dividends or distributions that would be entitled to be received by holders of a number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000.
Liquidation Preference.  In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, before any payment or distribution is made to holders of common stock, a liquidation preference in an amount equal to $0.56 multiplied by the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000.
Voting.  The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except that we will not, without the approval of at least a majority of the shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding, (i) authorize or issue additional shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock of the same series (provided that no such approval shall be required in respect of any shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to be authorized and issued in connection with the Cargill Stock Payment), (ii) authorize or issue any other series of preferred equity securities which are senior or on all matters submittedparity with respect to liquidation or dividend payments to the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock or (iii) amend our certificate of incorporation and bylaws if the amendment would adversely affect the rights, preferences or privileges of the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Conversion.  The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock is automatically convertible into shares of common stock as described immediately below.
Conversion of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into Common StockEach share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall, following the requisite stockholder approval, automatically convert into a votenumber of stockholders. If ashares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000 (which we refer to as the “Conversion Rate”).
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Upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, each depositary share shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one share of common stock and, upon the distribution of one share of common stock to the holder of Classeach such depositary share, each such depositary share shall be automatically cancelled and have no further value.  The depositary will distribute the shares of common stock it receives upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to the holders of the depositary shares entitled to receive such distribution in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares held by each such holder, on the date of receipt or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Requisite Stockholder Approval
The requisite stockholder approval means the approval by the holders of our common stock and class B common stock exchangesof the authorization and issuance of all additional shares of common stock issuable (i) upon conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock at the Conversion Rate and (ii) upon the exchange on a one-for-one basis of all membership interests in the LLC that would be received by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) following the conversion of all preferred membership interests they receive in the LLC’s concurrent private placement for membership interests.  To the extent necessary, the requisite stockholder approval would also include the authorization of all additional shares of class B common stock issuable upon the conversion of all preferred membership interests received by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) in the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
Unless and until the requisite stockholder approval is obtained, (i) no shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will convert into shares of common stock (and therefore no shares of common stock will be available for distribution by the depositary to the holders of the depositary shares) and (ii) no preferred membership interests in the LLC will convert into membership interests or, in the case of holders other than BioFuel Energy Corp., the corresponding shares of class B common stock.  We intend to seek the requisite stockholder approval as soon as practicable.
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding Before this Rights Offering
25,465,728 shares of our common stock and 7,111,985 shares of our class B common stock were outstanding as of November 12, 2010.
Shares Outstanding After Completion of this Rights Offering
Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and before the conversion of any shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation (as defined below) and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            depositary shares will be issued in this rights offering representing 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and upon the conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation (as defined below) and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            additional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the conversion of all 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (resulting in there being                   total shares of common stock outstanding).
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Preferred Membership Interests in the LLC Outstanding After Completion of this Rights Offering and the LLC’s Concurrent Private Placement
Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and before conversion of any preferred membership interests into common membership interests, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            preferred membership interests will be issued, with        being issued to BioFuel Energy Corp. and        being issued to the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.).

Following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and upon the conversion of all preferred membership interests into common membership interests, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            additional common membership interests will be issued and that        additional shares of class B common stock will be issued to the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) (resulting in there being                   total shares of class B common stock outstanding).
Rights Offering Letter AgreementIn connection with this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, we have entered into a Rights Offering Letter Agreement with the Backstop Parties.  The Rights Offering Letter Agreement, as amended, sets forth, among other things, the terms and conditions of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, including the participation and backstop commitments of the Backstop Parties.
Backstop Parties’ Basic Commitment and Backstop Commitment
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, as amended, the Backstop Parties have agreed to (i) participate in this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement for their full basic subscription privilege and full LLC basic purchase privilege (which we refer to as the “Basic Commitment”) and (ii) purchase immediately prior to expiration of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement (x) all of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges and (y) all of the available preferred membership interests in the LLC not otherwise sold in the LLC’s concurrent private placement following the exercise of all LLC basic purchase privileges and LLC additional purchase privileges of all other holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) (which we refer to as the “Backstop Commitment”).
The price per depositary share or preferred membership interest paid by the Backstop Parties pursuant to the Backstop Commitment will be equal to $0.56 (and therefore will be equal to the price paid by the other holders in this rights offering and in the LLC’s concurrent private placement).
The Backstop Parties may exercise their over-subscription privileges in this rights offering and LLC additional purchase privileges in the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
Any depositary shares purchased by the Backstop Parties pursuant to the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment will be purchased directly from us on a private basis and are not being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Reduction by Backstop PartiesNotwithstanding the foregoing, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement provides that the Backstop Parties may (i) reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or (ii) cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering, in the event that the Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the consummation of this rights offering, the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or any of itsthe Backstop Parties.  We expect that any such reduction would reduce the proceeds available to us from this rights offering.
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In the event that the Backstop Parties cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering or reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment, this rights offering would proceed with us and the Backstop Parties using commercially reasonable best efforts to structure and consummate an alternative transaction to take the place of the issuance of the depositary shares not purchased in this rights offering or pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment.  The alternative transaction would be structured so as to preserve the economic benefits to the parties to the Rights Offering Letter Agreement as if this rights offering had been consummated in full without giving effect to such reduction.  Nevertheless, it is not certain that we would be able to consummate an alternative transaction to raise additional proceeds.  If we cannot consummate such an alternative transaction following a reduction of this rights offering, we may not have sufficient funds available to repay the Bridge Loan at maturity or to make the other payments contemplated by the use of proceeds of this rights offering.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The pending maturity of our Bridge Loan, unless extended, raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.”
In addition, one or more of the Backstop Parties may elect either (i) to exercise their respective Backstop Commitments with respect to all or a portion of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges by purchasing a new class of class B preferred membership interests in the LLC (instead of purchasing such available depositary shares) in the event that such Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the purchase of such available depositary shares would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or such Backstop Parties, which we refer to as a “LLC Backstop Reallocation,” or (ii) to not exercise their respective Backstop Commitments with respect to all or a portion of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges in the event that such Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the purchase of such available depositary shares would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or such Backstop Parties.  Any election contemplated by clause (ii) of the prior sentence would reduce the proceeds of this rights offering.
In the event of a LLC Backstop Reallocation, the LLC will issue such class B preferred membership interests to the applicable Backstop Parties (in equal number to the number of available depositary shares not purchased because of such LLC Backstop Reallocation) in exchange for payment of $0.56 for each class B preferred membership interest purchased.  The class B preferred membership interests, if issued, would have the same terms as the preferred membership interests (including as to conversion, distribution, liquidation and other rights), except that, upon conversion of such class B preferred membership interests, holders of such class B preferred membership interests would receive membership interests in the LLC that would not be exchangeable (together with the corresponding shares of our class B common stock) for shares of our common stock.
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Conditions to Backstop Parties’ ObligationsThe Backstop Parties’ obligations to purchase any depositary shares pursuant to the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment are subject to various conditions as described under “The Rights Offering—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Conditions to Backstop Parties’ Obligations.”
Termination
The obligations of the Backstop Parties under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement are subject to termination immediately, upon the election of the Greenlight Parties, at any time prior to the consummation of this rights offering upon the occurrence of any of the following:  (i) the termination of the Bridge Loan Agreement; (ii) us entering into a definitive agreement with respect to a Substitute Transaction; (iii) the Greenlight Parties, in their reasonable judgment, determining that the conditions to the Backstop Parties’ obligations are incapable of being satisfied by January 24, 2011; (iv) there having occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, operations or properties of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (v) the breach of any covenant or other provision of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement by us that has occurred and cannot be cured or satisfied with the passage of time or, if capable of being cured or satisfied, cannot be cured or satisfied prior to March 24, 2011; (vi) our common stock no longer being listed on a national securities exchange; or (vii) our adoption of any plan of merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution or filing of a petition in bankruptcy.
Additionally, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement provides that the obligations of the parties to the Rights Offering Letter Agreement may be terminated by either the Greenlight Parties or us upon the occurrence of (a) another party’s material breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants where such breach remains uncured for a period of five days after receipt of notice of such breach or (b) the issuance by any governmental authority of any ruling or order enjoining the consummation of a material portion of the rights offering or any related transactions.  As described under “—Substitute Transaction,” we also have the ability to terminate the Rights Offering Letter Agreement in certain circumstances in connection with a Substitute Transaction.
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Substitute TransactionWhile the Rights Offering Letter Agreement generally requires us to consummate this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement permits us to solicit or participate in discussions concerning any alternative equity financing or other transaction that would result in the (a) repayment in full of all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Loan Agreement, (b) repayment in full of all amounts under the Subordinated Debt Agreement and (c) satisfaction of all obligations under the Cargill Letter (which we refer to as a “Substitute Transaction”).  If our board of directors determines that (i) we have the opportunity to enter into a Substitute Transaction that will be consummated within a timeframe that is not materially longer than the anticipated timeframe for this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement but in no event later than February 1, 2011, and (ii) such Substitute Transaction is more favorable to the holders of our common stock than this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and is reasonably likely to be consummated prior to February 1, 2011, then we will be permitted to enter into such Substitute Transaction and terminate the Rights Offering Letter Agreement.  In the event that we do so, we will be required to repay all amounts owed under the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Subordinated Debt Agreement and satisfy all of our obligations under the Cargill Letter on or before the earlier of February 1, 2011 and the closing date of such Substitute Transaction.  We will also be required to pay to the Backstop Parties an aggregate break-up fee in cash equal to $350,000.
Backstop Parties
The Backstop Parties are Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (which we refer to collectively as the “Greenlight Parties”) and Third Point Loan LLC (which we refer to as “Third Point”).   David Einhorn is the principal of the Greenlight Parties and is a member of our board of directors.  The Backstop Parties or their affiliates own a significant number of shares of our common stock and class B common stock.  The Greenlight Parties are affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., which, as of November 12, 2010, owned 7,542,104 shares of common stock and 4,311,396 shares of class B common stock, which together represented 36.4% of our outstanding total voting stock (composed of our common stock and class B common stock) on that date.  Third Point is an affiliate of Third Point Funds, which as of November 12, 2010, owned 5,578,800 shares of common stock, which represented 17.1% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.  Collectively, the Backstop Parties owned 53.5% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.
The Backstop Parties’ aggregate ownership of our issued and outstanding equity may increase substantially as a result of this rights offering.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Rights Offering—The Backstop Parties control a substantial equity interest in us and may own an even greater equity interest in us following this rights offering.  Their interests may not coincide with yours and they may make decisions with which you disagree.”
Record Date5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                          .
Expiration Date of this Rights Offering5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                          .
Use of Proceeds
We intend to use the proceeds from this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment:  (i) first, to pay off the Bridge Loan; (ii) second, to pay off all indebtedness under the Subordinated Debt Agreement; (iii) third, to make the Cargill Cash Payment; (iv) fourth, to pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement; and (v) fifth, the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes.  For a full description, including possible adjustments, see “Use of Proceeds.”
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Transferability of RightsThe subscription rights granted to you are non-transferable and, therefore, you may not sell, transfer or assign your subscription rights to anyone.
ListingShares of our common stock are currently listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BIOF.”
The depositary shares will not be listed for trading on any stock exchange.
No Board RecommendationOur board of directors is making no recommendation regarding your exercise of the subscription rights. You are urged to make your decision based on your own assessment of our business and this rights offering.  Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the risks involved in investing in the depositary shares.
No Revocation or ChangeOnce you submit the rights certificate to exercise any subscription rights or, if you are a beneficial owner of shares of common stock that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, your subscription rights are exercised on your behalf by your nominee, you are not allowed to revoke or change the exercise or request a refund of monies paid.  All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if you subsequently learn information about us that you consider to be unfavorable.
Extension, Cancellation and AmendmentSubject to the prior consent of the Backstop Parties, our board of directors may extend the subscription period, and thereby postpone the expiration date.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we reserve the right to amend or modify any other terms of this rights offering.  This rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement may only be terminated with the consent of the Backstop Parties or after termination of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement.   In the event that this rights offering is terminated, all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsequencesYou should not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in connection with the receipt or exercise of subscription rights to purchase depositary shares in this offering.  You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences to you in connection with your participation in this rights offering.  See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
Registration RightsIn connection with our initial public offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which we may be required to register the sale of shares of our common stock held by the Backstop Parties and our other historical equity investors (or to be acquired by such investors upon exchange of their membership interests in the LLC for shares of our common stock,stock) and certain of their transferees.  Under the registration rights agreement, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, our historical equity investors have the right to request us to register the sale of their shares and may require us to make available shelf registration statements permitting sales of Class B common stock held by such holder and attributableshares into the market from time to the exchanged LLC membership interests will automatically be transferred to BioFuel Energy Corp. and be retired without further action.
time over an extended period.
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HoldersIn connection with this rights offering, we will amend and restate the existing registration rights agreement to provide that we may, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, also be required to register the sale of shares of our common stock that are issued to (i) the Backstop Parties and Class B common stock will vote together as a single classour other historical equity investors in respect of any depositary shares that they acquire in this rights offering (or the Backstop Parties acquire upon exercise of their Backstop Commitment) following conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, (ii) the Backstop Parties and our other historical equity investors in respect of any membership interests in the LLC that are issued to them following conversion of any preferred membership interests in the LLC that they acquire in the LLC’s concurrent private placement (or the Backstop Parties acquire upon exercise of their Backstop Commitment) and (iii) the Backstop Parties in respect of the warrants that may be issued to them in the event that the Bridge Loan is not paid in full on all matters presentedor prior to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.March 24, 2011.
Dividend policyProcedures for Exercising RightsWe do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on
Record Holders.  Subscription rights may be exercised by registered holders of shares of our common stock by completing and signing the rights certificate and delivering the completed and duly executed rights certificate, together with any required signature guarantees and the full subscription payment, to the subscription agent at the address set forth below under “The Rights Offering—Subscription Agent.”  Completed rights certificates and related payments must be received by the subscription agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
Beneficial Owners.  If you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that are registered in the foreseeable future.name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee and you wish to exercise your subscription rights, you should instruct your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee to exercise your subscription rights and deliver all documents and payment on your behalf prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.  We will ask your record holder to notify you of this rights offering.  You should complete and return to your record holder the appropriate subscription documentation you receive from your record holder.  Your subscription rights will not be considered exercised unless the subscription agent receives from your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee all of the required documents and your full subscription payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
Nominees.  Nominees, such as brokers, dealers, custodian banks or other nominees, who hold shares of common stock for the account of others, should notify the respective beneficial owners as soon as possible to ascertain the beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the subscription rights.  If the beneficial owner so instructs, the nominee should exercise the subscription rights on behalf of the beneficial owner and deliver all documents and payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
Subscription AgentBNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
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Information AgentOkapi Partners LLC.
Fees and ExpensesWe will pay all fees and expenses of the subscription agent and the information agent.  You are responsible for paying any other commissions, fees, taxes or other expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the subscription rights.
Fees and Expenses Paid or Payable to the Backstop PartiesOn September 24, 2010, we paid the Backstop Parties $743,795 in consideration of the Backstop Commitment and a fee of $776,825 in consideration of the funding of the Bridge Loan.  If the aggregate amount of this rights offering plus the LLC’s concurrent private placement is greater than $40,000,000, an additional fee of 4% of the excess will be payable to the Backstop Parties as additional consideration for the Backstop Commitment (excluding for calculation purposes any additional depositary shares or preferred membership interests purchased by the Backstop Parties pursuant to their Basic Commitment or their over-subscription privileges or LLC additional purchase privileges).  Further, if we sign a definitive agreement relating to a Substitute Transaction, we will also be required to pay the Backstop Parties a break-up fee equal to $350,000.  In addition, we have agreed to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Backstop Parties incurred in connection with the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel to the Backstop Parties) and to indemnify the Backstop Parties against losses arising out of this rights offering.
Risk factorsFactorsSee ‘‘Risk factors’’ andInvesting in the other information included insecurities offered by this prospectus forinvolves a discussionhigh degree of somerisk.  You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” before buying any of the factors you should consider carefully before deciding to invest in our common stock.
depositary shares offered hereby.
ListingWe have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol ‘‘BIOF’’.

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Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk.  You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before making an investment decision in this rights offering.
Risks Related to the Rights Offering
Your equity interest in us may be diluted as a result of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
Assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties (see “—At their discretion, the Backstop Parties have the ability to reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to their Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering”) and assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation, this rights offering will result in our issuance of approximately            depositary shares which are, by virtue of the Conversion Rate of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock in which they represent interests and the depositary arrangements, effectively convertible on a one-for-one basis into shares of our common stock.  In addition, the LLC’s concurrent private placement will result in the issuance of preferred membership interests in the LLC which, following the requisite stockholder approval, will automatically convert into membership interests in the LLC which will be exchangeable by the holders thereof (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) for shares of common stock.
The subscription price per depositary share (or preferred membership interest), which is $0.56, represents a significant discount to the market price of our common stock at the time of determination.  This rights price represented a                          % discount to the closing price of our common stock on                          .  In addition, the Backstop Parties have entered into the Rights Offering Letter Agreement with us that requires them, subject to certain conditions and possible reductions, to exercise their rights to purchase all of the depositary shares and preferred membership interests purchasable with their basic subscription privileges and LLC basic purchase privileges and requires them, subject to certain conditions and possible reductions, to purchase immediately prior to the expiration of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement all of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges and all of the available preferred membership interests not otherwise sold in the LLC’s concurrent private placement following the exercise of all LLC basic purchase privileges and LLC additional purchase privileges of all other holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.).  See “The Rights Offering—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Basic Commitment and Backstop Commitment.”
As a result, holders who do not fully exercise their subscription privileges should expect that they will, at the completion of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, own a smaller proportional equity interest in us than would be the case had they fully exercised their subscription rights.
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The rights price determined for this rights offering is not an indication of the fair value of the depositary shares or our common stock.
The rights price of $0.56 represents a significant discount to the market price of our common stock at the time of determination, but is not necessarily related to our book value, net worth or any other established criteria of value.  You should not consider the rights price to be an indication of the fair value of the depositary shares offered in this rights offering or our common stock.  We cannot assure you that you will be able to sell the depositary shares, or the common stock that you will receive upon the automatic conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares, purchased during this rights offering at a price that is equal to or greater than $0.56.  Further, if a substantial number of subscription rights are exercised and the holders of the shares received upon exercise of those rights choose to sell some or all of those shares, the resulting sales could depress the market price of our common stock or the depositary shares after the completion of this rights offering.
You may not revoke your subscription exercise and could be committed to buying depositary shares.
Once you exercise your subscription rights, you are not allowed to revoke or change the exercise or request a refund of monies paid.  All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if you subsequently learn information about us that you consider to be unfavorable to the exercise of your rights.
If you exercise your subscription rights and, afterwards, the market price of our common stock decreases below $0.56, you will have committed to buying depositary shares, which are effectively convertible on a one-for-one basis into shares of common stock, at a price above the prevailing market price of our common stock.  Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BIOF,” and the closing sales price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on                , the last trading day before the commencement of this rights offering, was $                per share.  The rights price is $0.56 per depositary share.  The rights price, together with the number of depositary shares we propose to issue and ultimately will issue if this rights offering is completed and the number of preferred membership interests we propose to issue and ultimately will issue if the LLC’s concurrent private placement is completed, may result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock.
The Backstop Parties control a substantial equity interest in us and may own an even greater equity interest in us following this rights offering.  Their interests may not coincide with yours and they may make decisions with which you disagree.
The Backstop Parties or their affiliates own a significant number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering excludes 3,000,000and class B common stock.  The Greenlight Parties are affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., which, as of November 12, 2010, owned 7,542,104 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. Effective upon and subject to the completion of this offering, we plan to grant to employees and Directors an aggregate of 100,8104,311,396 shares of restrictedclass B common stock, and options to purchase an aggregatewhich together represented 36.4% of 370,950 sharesour outstanding total voting stock (composed of our common stock withand class B common stock) on that date.  Third Point is an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price per share indicated on the coveraffiliate of this prospectus. The numberThird Point Funds, which as of November 12, 2010, owned 5,578,800 shares of common stock, which represented 17.1% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.  Collectively, the Backstop Parties owned 53.5% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.
If the Backstop Commitment is exercised, we expect that the Backstop Parties’ and their affiliates’ aggregate proportional ownership of our outstanding equity will increase as a result of, and in proportion to, the performance by the Backstop Parties of their Backstop Commitment.

As a result of their substantial equity interest in us, the Backstop Parties have and will continue to have considerable influence over our corporate affairs and actions, including those submitted to a stockholder vote.  In addition, this rights offering may result in the Backstop Parties obtaining a much greater degree of control of our company, which could make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of the Backstop Parties.  The interests of the Backstop Parties may not always coincide with our interests as a company or the interests of our other stockholders.  Accordingly, these stockholders could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that you would not approve or make decisions with which you may disagree.
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At their discretion, the Backstop Parties have the ability to reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to their Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering.
The Rights Offering Letter Agreement provides that the Backstop Parties may reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering, in the event that the Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the consummation of this rights offering, the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or any of the Backstop Parties.  We expect that any such reduction would reduce the proceeds available to us from this rights offering and it is not certain that we would be able to consummate an alternative transaction to take the place of the depositary shares not purchased in this rights offering as a result of any such reduction.  If we cannot consummate such an alternative transaction, we may not have sufficient funds available to repay the Bridge Loan at maturity or to make the other payments contemplated by the use of proceeds of this rights offering.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The pending maturity of our Bridge Loan, unless extended, raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.”

In particular, the Backstop Parties may elect to reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering if they determine that this rights offering, the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment would limit our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income.  See “—Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be limited as a result of this rights offering and related transactions.  The Backstop Parties may reduce or restructure this rights offering as a result.”

Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be limited as a result of this rights offering and related transactions.  The Backstop Parties may reduce or restructure this rights offering as a result.

As of September 30, 2010, we reported federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $156 million, which will begin to expire if not used by December 31, 2028.
For accounting purposes, a valuation allowance is required to reduce our potential deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of such assets will not be realized due to the lack of sufficient taxable income.  Our financial statements currently provide a full valuation allowance against all of our NOL carryforwards.
Our ability to utilize our tax attributes, such as NOL carryforwards and tax credits (“Tax Attributes”), will be subject to significant limitation for federal income tax purposes if we undergo an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). For this purpose, an ownership change generally occurs, as of any “testing date” (as defined under Section 382 of the Code), if our “5-percent shareholders” have collectively increased their ownership in BioFuel Energy Corp. stock by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest percentage ownership at any time during the relevant testing period, which generally begins the later of either January 1, 2008 or three years preceding the relevant testing date. In general, our 5-percent shareholders would include any (i) individual who owns 5% or more (directly, indirectly or constructively) of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock and (ii) “public groups” who own BioFuel Energy Corp. stock (even in certain cases if they own less than 5% of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock) or stock in higher tier entities who own 5% or more (directly, indirectly or constructively) of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock. A “public group” generally consists of a group of persons each of whom owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) less than 5% of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock. An ownership change may therefore occur following substantial changes in the direct or indirect ownership of our outstanding stock by one or more 5-percent shareholders over this period.
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If we were to experience an ownership change, Section 382 of the Code imposes an annual limitation on the amount of our post-change taxable income that may be offset by our pre-change Tax Attributes.  The limitation imposed by Section 382 for any post-change year is generally determined by multiplying the value of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock immediately before the ownership change by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate.  Any unused annual limitation may, subject to certain limits, be carried over to later years.  In addition, the limitation may be increased under certain circumstances by the “built-in gain” in our assets at the time of the ownership change.
It is unclear whether all or a portion of our Tax Attributes are or will be subject to a limitation under Section 382 of the Code following this rights offering, either as a result of an ownership change experienced by us in the past or an ownership change to be experienced by us on account of this rights offering and related transactions.  The determination of whether this rights offering would result in an ownership change under Section 382 of the Code depends, in part, on the Offering Size (in particular, the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment), prior ownership shifts involving 5-percent shareholders, the percentage in which each common stockholder exercises its subscription rights and the effect of related transactions in conjunction with this rights offering (such as changes resulting from the Cargill Stock Payment or that would result if the warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 15% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis are issued to the Backstop Parties as a result of us being unable to pay the Bridge Loan in full on or before its maturity date).
The Rights Offering Letter Agreement provides that the Backstop Parties may reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering, in the event that the Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the consummation of this rights offering, the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment would result in adverse tax consequences to the Backstop Parties or to us.  This rights offering may therefore be reduced or restructured in order to avoid an ownership change under Section 382.
Even if this rights offering and related transactions do not result in an ownership change under Section 382, it is possible that future changes in the ownership of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock by 5-percent shareholders, including certain changes in the ownership of any entity that owns 5% or more of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock, will result in an ownership change under Section 382.
To reduce the likelihood of an ownership change, our board of directors may take actions to impose transfer restrictions or other protective mechanisms, such as adopting a “tax benefit preservation plan,” which could limit the ability of stockholders to acquire 5% or more of the outstanding shares of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock (or, if any stockholder already owns in excess of 5% of BioFuel Energy Corp. stock, from acquiring any additional shares).  Any such tax benefit preservation plan, if adopted, would be adopted on terms and conditions approved by our board of directors.
Our ability to use our Tax Attributes will also depend on the amount of taxable income we generate in future periods.  In addition, any LLC Backstop Reallocation could reduce BioFuel Energy Corp.’s membership interests in the LLC relative to the LLC membership interests of the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) and thus reduce the amount of taxable income allocated to BioFuel Energy Corp. that could be offset by our Tax Attributes.  Our Tax Attributes may expire before we can generate sufficient taxable income to utilize them in full.
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The subscription rights are not transferable and there will be no market for the subscription rights.
You may not sell, transfer or assign your subscription rights.  Because the subscription rights are non-transferable, there will be no market or other means for you to directly realize any value associated with your subscription rights.  You must exercise your subscription rights and acquire depositary shares in order to realize any value that may be embedded in your subscription rights.
We may cancel this rights offering at any time prior to the expiration of this rights offering.  If we cancel this rights offering, the only obligation to you that we or the subscription agent will have will be to return your subscription payments.
We may, subject to the terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, decide not to continue with this rights offering or terminate this rights offering prior to the expiration of this rights offering.  See “The Rights Offering—Termination.”  If we terminate this rights offering, all subscription rights will expire without value and the only obligation that we or the subscription agent will have with respect to subscription rights that have been exercised will be to return any subscription payments the subscription agent has received, without interest, as soon as practicable.
If you do not act promptly and follow the subscription instructions, your exercise of subscription rights will be rejected.
Holders that desire to purchase depositary shares in this rights offering must act promptly to ensure that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to the expiration of this rights offering at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                .  If you are a beneficial holder, you must act promptly to ensure that your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee acts for you and that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to the expiration of this rights offering.  We are not responsible if your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee fails to ensure that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to the expiration of this rights offering.  If you fail to complete and sign the required subscription forms, send an incorrect payment amount or otherwise fail to follow the subscription procedures that apply to your exercise in this rights offering prior to the expiration of this rights offering, the subscription agent will reject your subscription or accept it only to the extent of the payment received.  Neither we nor the subscription agent undertake to contact you concerning an incomplete or incorrect subscription form or payment, nor are we under any obligation to correct such forms or payment.  We have the sole discretion to determine whether a subscription exercise properly complies with the subscription procedures. 
We cannot guarantee that you will receive any or all of the amounts of depositary shares for which you over-subscribed and, in certain circumstances, your ability to over-subscribe could be reduced.
Holders who fully exercise their basic subscription privilege will be entitled to subscribe for an additional amount of depositary shares equal to up to 100% of the depositary shares for which such holder was otherwise entitled to subscribe.  We can provide no assurance that you will actually be entitled to purchase the number of depositary shares you subscribe for pursuant to your over-subscription privilege at the expiration of this rights offering.  If insufficient depositary shares are available to fully satisfy the over-subscription privilege requests of all holders, the available unsubscribed depositary shares will be distributed proportionately among those holders who exercised their over-subscription privilege based on the number of depositary shares each holder subscribed for pursuant to their over-subscription privilege.
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In addition, if and to the extent that the Backstop Parties determine, after consultation with us, that the offering set forthexercise of over-subscription privileges would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or any of the Backstop Parties, we may reduce or eliminate, pro rata for all holders of subscription rights, the exercise of over-subscription privileges. In the event that the exercise of over-subscription privileges is so reduced, the available unsubscribed depositary shares will be distributed proportionately among those holders who exercised their over-subscription privilege based on the number of depositary shares each holder subscribed for pursuant to their over-subscription privilege.
Risks Related to the Depositary Shares
You are also making an investment decision in the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and our common stock as well as in the depositary shares.
As described in this prospectus, does not take these restricted stockyou are investing in depositary shares that represent fractional interests in the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  The depositary will rely solely on the dividend payments and option awardsother distributions on the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock it receives from us to fund all dividend payments and other distributions on the depositary shares.  In addition, because the depositary shares effectively convert into account.

Other information about this prospectus

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.


Tableshares of Contents

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involveson a high degree of risk. Before making an investment in our common stock, you should carefully consider the following risks, as well as other information contained in this prospectus, including ‘‘Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations’’. The risks described below are those that we believe are the material risks we face. Any of these risks could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. As a result,one-for-one basis, the trading price of our common stock couldwill directly affect the market price of the depositary shares.  Any decline in the market price of shares of our common stock and any related decline in value of the depositary shares may be substantial and, depending on the extent of the decline, you could lose all or partsubstantially all of your investment.

investment in the depositary shares.

The market price of our common stock is volatile and may decline before or after the subscription rights expire.
The trading price of our common stock is volatile and could be subject to fluctuations in response to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control.  These factors include, among other things, the announcement and consummation of this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement or any alternative transactions, the factors described “Risk Factors—Risks relatingRelated to Our Business,” actual or anticipated variations in our costs of doing business, operating results and cash flow, the nature and content of our earnings releases and our competitors’ earnings releases, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts, future sales of our equity securities, business conditions in our markets and the general state of the securities markets, changes in market prices for our products or for our raw materials, changes in capital markets, departures of key personnel and governmental legislation or regulation, as well as general economic and market conditions, such as downturns in our economy and recessions.  As a result, the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely, and those fluctuations could materially reduce our common stock price.
Holders of the depositary shares will have no rights as holders of common stock until they acquire our common stock upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Until you acquire shares of our common stock upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and delivery by the depositary following conversion of the depositary shares, you will have no direct rights with respect to our businesscommon stock, including, without limitation, voting rights.  Holders of the depositary shares must act through the depositary to exercise any voting rights in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and industry

We domust receive any dividends or distributions in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock only through the depositary.  As a result, holders of the depositary shares will not have an operating historythe right to vote on actions customarily subject to stockholder vote or approval, including the election of directors, the approval of significant transactions and amendments to our certificate of incorporation that would not adversely affect the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  As a result, such holders’ ability to exercise influence over us is extremely limited.  Upon conversion, you will be entitled to exercise your rights as a holder of our common stock only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the close of business on the relevant date that you received shares of common stock.

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The secondary market for the depositary shares may not succeed.

Webe illiquid.

The depositary shares are a new companyissue of securities for which there currently is no market.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the development or liquidity of any market for the depositary shares.  If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the depositary shares may be adversely affected.  In that case, you may not be able to sell the depositary shares that you hold at a particular time or at a favorable price.
Holders of the depositary shares will be entitled to receive shares of common stock only if and when our stockholders approve the authorization and issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, which the depositary shares represent fractional interests in, will only convert into shares of common stock when the authorization and issuance of shares of common stock in connection with such conversion has been approved by our stockholders.  Because the holders of depositary shares will not be entitled to receive shares of common stock until the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock for common stock, they will hold depositary shares until we receive the requisite stockholder approval.  Until holders of depositary shares acquire shares of our common stock upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, they will have no operating resultsdirect rights with respect to date,our common stock.  Holders of the depositary shares must act through the depositary to exercise any voting rights in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and thereforemust receive any dividends or distributions in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock only through the depositary.  As a result, holders of the depositary shares will not have the right to vote on actions customarily subject to stockholder vote or approval, including the election of directors, the approval of significant transactions and amendments to our certificate of incorporation that would not adversely affect the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  In addition, a trading market for the depositary shares may not develop or may be less liquid than the trading market for our common stock and the market price of the depositary shares may be adversely affected as a result.
Under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we are obligated to use our best efforts to obtain such approval by January 24, 2011.  However, it is possible that the stockholder approval could be significantly delayed beyond January 24, 2011 or may never be obtained.
You may suffer dilution on the common stock that is ultimately issuable to you upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
The terms of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock have only limited anti-dilution provisions that apply in the event of certain stock splits, stock dividends and sales of common stock at a price below the rights price, and do not restrict our ability to offer shares of our common stock in the future or to engage in other transactions that could dilute our common stock.  We have no obligation to consider the interests of the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock or the depositary shares in engaging in any such offering or transaction.  If we issue additional shares of our common stock, that issuance may adversely affect the price of our common stock and the depositary shares.  The price of our common stock and the depositary shares may also be adversely affected by the existence, issuance or sale of securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or of securities that represent the right to receive, our common stock or other dilution of our equity, or by our announcement that any such issuance or sale or other dilution may occur.
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In particular, in the event that the Bridge Loan is not paid in full on or before March 24, 2011, we will be required to issue warrants to the Backstop Parties exercisable at an operating history uponexercise price of $0.01 per share for an aggregate of 15% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued.  The possibility that these warrants may be issued may prove to be a hindrance to our efforts to raise future equity and debt funding, and the issuance and exercise of such warrants would dilute the percentage ownership interest of our other stockholders and likely would reduce the value of their stock.  In addition, we expect to issue additional depositary shares in connection with the Cargill Stock Payment, and the exact number of depositary shares issuable to Cargill will not be known until after this rights offering is consummated (for a discussion how the number of depositary shares that will be issued to Cargill will be calculated, see “Prospectus Summary—Related Agreements and Transactions—Cargill Letter Agreement”).  Further, following the requisite stockholder approval, all preferred membership interests in the LLC issued in connection with the LLC’s concurrent private placement will automatically convert into membership interests in the LLC which you can evaluatewill be exchangeable by the holders thereof (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) for shares of common stock.
The liquidation preference of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be subordinate to those of holders of our indebtedness and of any senior equity securities we may issue in the future and may be subject to the equal rights of other equity securities.
There are no restrictions in the terms of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock on our ability to incur indebtedness.  In addition, while the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock have certain veto rights over the issuance of other series of preferred equity securities that are senior or on parity with respect to liquidation payments to the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, it is possible that such preferred equity securities could be issued in the future.  If we were to liquidate our business, we would be required to repay all of our outstanding indebtedness and prospects. In addition, our prospects must be consideredto satisfy the liquidation preferences of any then outstanding senior equity securities before we could make any distributions on the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  We could have insufficient cash available to do so, in lightwhich case holders of the risksdepositary shares would not receive any payment on the amounts due them relating to the liquidation preference of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  Moreover, any amounts remaining after the payment of our indebtedness and uncertainties encounteredany senior securities would be split equally among the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and any other holders of our securities that may be issued in the future that rank on parity with the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock as to liquidation preferences.  The liquidation preference of the preferred membership interests in the LLC will rank effectively on parity with the liquidation preference of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (as represented by an early-stage companythe depositary shares).
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Narrow commodity margins have resulted in rapidly evolving markets, such as the ethanol market, where supplydecreased liquidity and demand may change significantly overcontinue to present a short period.

Some of these risks relatesignificant risk to our potential inability to:

• construct our planned plants;
• commence significant operations;
• recruit and retain key personnel, including plant managers, particularly as the industry expands and we face increasing competition;
• effectively manage our business and operations;
• successfully establish and maintain our intended low-cost structure;
• predict the extent to which our operations may adversely impact the local price of our primary production inputs and our primary products;
• manage rapid growth in personnel and operations; and
• successfully address the other risks described throughout this prospectus.

If we cannot successfully manage these risks,ability to service our business anddebt.


Our results of operations and financial condition will suffer.

Wedepend substantially on the price of our main commodity input, corn, relative to the price of our main commodity product, ethanol, which is known in the industry as the “crush spread.” The prices of these commodities are volatile and beyond our control.   For example, from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010, spot corn prices on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) ranged from $3.01 to $7.49 per bushel, with an average price of $3.99 per bushel, while CBOT ethanol prices ranged from $1.40 to $2.86 per gallon, with an average price of $1.77 per gallon.  However, the volatility in corn prices and the volatility in ethanol prices are not correlated, and as a result, the crush spread fluctuated widely throughout 2009, ranging from $0.06 per gallon to $0.68 per gallon, and during the first half of 2010, ranging from $0.15 to $0.47.  Since we commenced operations, we have from time to time entered into derivative financial instruments such as futures contracts, swaps and option contracts with the objective of limiting our exposure to changes in commodities prices.  However, we are currently able to engage in such hedging activities only on a limited basis due to our lack of financial resources, and we may not be ablehave the financial resources to implement our strategy as plannedincrease or at all.

Our strategy depends on our ability to develop and construct ethanol production facilities. While we currently have two facilities under construction, we have not yet begun constructionconduct any of our third plant under development. The construction of this facility is contingent on a number of significant uncertainties, including those described below.these hedging activities in the future. In addition, the two facilities thatif geographic basis differentials are currently under construction may encounter difficultiesnot hedged, they could cause our hedging programs to be ineffective or delays during the construction process. As a result, we may be unable to construct our facilities as planned or at all.

We may not be able to secure sites for our plants.    We have entered into option agreements to purchase land for our third plant in Alta, Iowa and for our other development sites, but we have not yet secured property for any plant under evaluation. less effective than anticipated.


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As a result of the significant expansionvolatility of ethanol production capacity currently underwaythe prices for these and other items, our results fluctuate substantially and in ways that are largely beyond our control.  For example, we were profitable in the United States,fourth quarter of 2009, when crush spreads averaged $0.49 per gallon.  However, as reported in the unaudited consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus, we believereported net losses of $12.0 million and $22.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.  During each of these periods, crush spreads contracted significantly, averaging $0.24 and $0.28 per gallon during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.

Narrow commodity margins present a significant risk to our cash flows and liquidity.  We cannot predict when or if crush spreads will narrow.  In the event crush spreads narrow, we may choose to curtail operations at our plants or cease operations altogether.  In addition, we have fully utilized our debt service reserve availability under our $230 million senior secured credit facility (of which $192.5 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2010) with a syndicate of lenders (“Senior Debt Facility”) and we may expend all of our other sources of liquidity, in which event we would not be able to pay principal or interest on our debt, which would lead to an event of default under our Bridge Loan Agreement, Senior Debt Facility and Subordinated Debt Agreement and, in the absence of forbearance, debt service abeyance or other accommodations from our lenders, require us to seek relief through a filing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We expect fluctuations in the crush spread to continue. Any further reduction in the crush spread may cause our operating margins to deteriorate further, resulting in an impairment charge in addition to causing the consequences described above.

We are currently unable to hedge against fluctuations in commodity prices and may be unable to do so in the future, which further exposes us to commodity price risk.

Since we have commenced operations, we have from time to time entered into derivative financial instruments such as futures contracts, swaps and option contracts with the objective of limiting our exposure to changes in commodities prices.  However, we are currently able to engage in such hedging activities only on a limited basis due to our lack of financial resources, and we may not have the financial resources to conduct hedging activities in the future.  In addition, ethanol futures have historically traded with an inverted price progression, or “strip,” whereby outer month contracts are priced at lower prices than spot or near-month contracts. In contrast, corn futures historically have traded such that there is increasing and intense competition for suitable sites for ethanol plants, andouter months have higher prices than near or spot months. As a result, even under market conditions in which we realize positive margins at current (spot) prices we may not be able to secure suitable siteslock in such margins for constructionfuture production. Furthermore, because of future facilities. In addition, title defects or other title problems may arise following the purchase of land options which may render the land unsuitable for the constructionlack of an established futures market or established markets for future physical delivery of ethanol, plant.

Wewe may not be able to obtainprice a material amount of our future production so as to permit us to hedge a material portion of our commodities price risks.


The pending maturity of our Bridge Loan, unless extended, raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We have approximately $19.4 million of outstanding indebtedness under our Bridge Loan, which matures in March 2011.  We are restricted by the approvalsterms of our Senior Debt Facility from using the funds generated by our operating subsidiaries to repay the Bridge Loan.  Therefore, even if we generate positive cash flow from operations, under the terms of our Senior Debt Facility, we cannot use that cash flow to repay the Bridge Loan.  If this rights offering and permitsthe LLC’s concurrent private placement do not generate sufficient proceeds to repay the Bridge Loan, we are unlikely to have sufficient liquidity to repay the Bridge Loan when it becomes due.  The Backstop Parties may require us to reduce the size of this rights offering or their commitment to purchase depositary shares that will be necessaryare not subscribed for by other holders in orderthis rights offering, if the Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the consummation of this rights offering, the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to construct and operate our facilities as planned.    Although we have begun the permitting process


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with respect to our Alta plant and our other plants under development, we have not yet obtained allus or any of the required permits for the operation of Alta and the construction of these other plants. Before we begin construction of these plants, we will need to obtain a number of required permits, which is often a time-consuming process. If we experience delays in obtaining the required approvals and permits for our plants under development, our expected construction start dates may be delayed.Backstop Parties. If we are unable to obtaingenerate sufficient proceeds from this rights offering and the required approvals and permits forLLC’s concurrent private placement to repay the Bridge Loan, we may seek new capital from other sources.  We cannot assure you that we will be successful in achieving any of these initiatives or, even if successful, that these initiatives will be sufficient to address our plantslimited liquidity and the pending maturity of the Bridge Loan.  If we are unable to raise sufficient proceeds from this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement or from other sources, we may be unable to continue as a going concern, which could potentially force us to seek relief through a filing under development,the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.


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We have a significant amount of indebtedness and limited liquidity, and virtually all of our assets are pledged to secure our senior debt.
As of September 30, 2010, we willhad $192.5 million of indebtedness outstanding under our Senior Debt Facility. In addition, if this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement do not generate sufficient proceeds to repay the debt under our Subordinated Debt Agreement (we refer to such debt herein as the “Subordinated Debt”) and Bridge Loan in full, we may continue to have indebtedness outstanding under our Bridge Loan and Subordinated Debt Agreement, and may continue to have obligations to Cargill under the Settlement Agreement, even after we complete this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement.  During our limited period of operations, we have been unable to consistently generate positive cash flow, mostly due to the narrow crush spread.  In addition, we have had, and continue to have, severely limited liquidity, with $10.9 million in cash on hand as of September 30, 2010.  Of that $10.9 million, only $6.4 million of cash was held by the LLC and therefore would have been available for use to repay a portion of the Bridge Loan.  The remaining $4.5 million of cash was held by our operating subsidiaries and we are restricted by the terms of our Senior Debt Facility from using those funds to repay the Bridge Loan.  If we do not have sufficient cash flow to service our debt, we would need to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise additional capital, any or all of which we may not be able to construct these plants.do on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we are unable to do so, we may be required to curtail operations or cease operating altogether, and could be forced to seek relief from creditors through a filing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.  Because the debt under our Senior Debt Facility subjects substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences by adversely affecting our financial position.

Our substantial indebtedness could:

·require us to dedicate all of our cash flow from operations (after the payment of operating expenses) to payments with respect to our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate expenditures;
·restrict our ability to take advantage of strategic opportunities;
·limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, competition or changes in our business or industry;
·limit our ability to borrow additional funds;
·increase our vulnerability to adverse general economic or industry conditions;
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·restrict us from expanding our current facilities, building new facilities or exploring business opportunities; and
·place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to competitors that have less debt or greater financial resources.
Our ability to make payments on and refinance our Senior Debt Facility will depend on our ability to generate cash from our operations. Our ability to generate cash from operations is subject, in large part, to our crush spread as well as general economic, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors and other factors that are beyond our control. During our limited period of operations we have been unable to generate consistent positive cash flow. If this continues, we may not be able to generate enough cash flow from operations or obtain enough capital to service our Senior Debt Facility, finance our business operations or fund our planned capital expenditures. If we do not have sufficient cash flow to service our debt, we would need to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or sell securities, any or all of which we may not be able to do on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Because the debt under our Senior Debt Facility subjects substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation. In the event of a foreclosure on all or substantially all of our assets, we may not be able to continue to operate as a going concern.

We are subject to additional risks associated with our existing debt arrangements.

Our Senior Debt Facility.  The operating subsidiaries of the LLC that own and operate our Wood River and Fairmont plants have entered into a Senior Debt Facility with a group of financial institutions that is secured by substantially all of those subsidiaries’ assets.  The agreement contains standard clauses regarding occurrence of a “material adverse effect,” which is defined very broadly and in such fashion as to be subjective. In the event our banks should determine that a “material adverse effect” has occurred, they could declare us in default and accelerate payment of all principal and interest due.

The terms of the Senior Debt Facility include customary events of default and covenants that limit the applicable subsidiaries from taking certain actions without obtaining the consent of the lenders. In particular, our Senior Debt Facility places significant restrictions on the ability of those subsidiaries to distribute cash to the LLC, which limits our ability to use cash generated by those subsidiaries for other purposes, such as repayment of the Bridge Loan. In addition, the Senior Debt Facility restricts those subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness. Under our Senior Debt Facility, if Cargill admits in orderwriting its inability to, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due, we will be deemed to be in default. In addition, should either of our subsidiaries that are borrowers under the Senior Debt Facility admit in writing its inability to, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due, we will be deemed to be in default.

A default under our Senior Debt Facility would also constitute a default under our Subordinated Debt Agreement and Bridge Loan Agreement and would entitle the lenders to accelerate the repayment of amounts outstanding. In the event of a default, the lenders could also proceed to foreclose against the assets securing such obligations. Because the debt under our Senior Debt Facility subjects substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation. In the event of a foreclosure on all or substantially all of our assets, we may not be able to continue to operate as a going concern.
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Our subordinated debt agreement.  The LLC has entered into a subordinated debt agreement (the “Subordinated Debt Agreement”) with entities affiliated with Greenlight Capital, Inc. and entities and an individual affiliated with Third Point LLC. Subordinated borrowings are secured by the subsidiary equity interests owned by the LLC. A default under our new facilities,Senior Debt Facility would also constitute a default under our Subordinated Debt and would entitle the lenders to accelerate the repayment of amounts outstanding. In the event of a default, the lenders could also proceed to foreclose against the assets securing such obligations. Because the debt under our Senior Debt Facility subjects substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation. In the event of a foreclosure on all or substantially all of our assets, we may not be able to continue to operate as a going concern.

During the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the LLC did not make the quarterly interest payments that were due on the last day of each quarter, which upon written notice to the LLC would constitute an event of default under the Subordinated Debt Agreement. On January 16, 2009, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with the subordinated debt lenders, whereby future payments to the lenders will be contingent on available cash flow, as defined. As part of the agreement, the Subordinated Debt holders received an immediate $2.0 million cash payment, which paid $767,000 of accrued interest due September 30, 2008 and reduced the principal balance by $1,233,000. Effective December 1, 2008, interest on the Subordinated Debt began to accrue at a 5% annual rate, compared to the previous rate of 15%, which rate will continue to apply until certain payment obligations have been met under the Settlement Agreement.  Although we intend to use a portion of the proceeds from this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement to repay all of the Subordinated Debt, if we do not generate sufficient proceeds to do so, the Subordinated Debt Agreement will remain in effect and will have the likely effect of limiting the ways in which we can use certain future cash flows that might otherwise have become available for other purposes, including pursuit of business opportunities, plant expansion or acquisitions.

A default under our Senior Debt Facility would also constitute a default under our Subordinated Debt Agreement and would entitle both the senior lenders and the subordinated lenders to accelerate the repayment of amounts outstanding.

Our Bridge Loan Agreement.  On September 24, 2010, we entered into the Bridge Loan Agreement with the Greenlight Parties, Third Point and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent, pursuant to which we borrowed $19,420,620.  The proceeds of the Bridge Loan were used to repay all outstanding working capital loans under our Senior Debt Facility and to pay certain related fees and expenses.  The Bridge Loan matures on March 24, 2011, and in the event the Bridge Loan is not paid in full on or before that date, we will also needissue warrants to obtain the final approvalBackstop Parties exercisable at an exercise price of $0.01 per share for an aggregate of 15% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis as of the rail line operatorsdate the warrants are issued.  The Bridge Loan may be voluntarily prepaid without penalty or premium.  We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement to repay the Bridge Loan in full.  See “Use of Proceeds.”  If the Bridge Loan is not repaid in full at maturity and we are forced to issue such warrants to the Backstop Parties, the equity ownership of our stockholders (other than the Backstop Parties and their affiliates) will be diluted.

Our future debt facilities will likely be secured by substantially all our assets.  We expect that operate adjacent rail lines.the debt we will incur to finance any future needs will be incurred either pursuant to an expanded version of our current Senior Debt Facility, a new, separate credit facility (which would require the consent of our existing banks) or a new corporate credit facility that would replace our current Senior Debt Facility. In addition,any event, it is most likely that this indebtedness would be secured by substantially all of our assets. Because the debt under these facilities may subject substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation. Moreover, because the Senior Debt Facility only contains limits on the amount of indebtedness that certain of our subsidiaries may incur, we have the ability to incur substantial additional indebtedness, and any additional indebtedness we incur could exacerbate the risks described above.

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The domestic ethanol industry is highly dependent upon a myriad of federal and state governmental requirementslegislation and regulation and any changes in legislation or regulation could substantially increase our costs, which could materially harmadversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

position.


We may be unable to secure construction servicesThe elimination of, or supplies for our additional plants under development and evaluation on acceptable terms.    Our strategy is particularly dependent on the continued availability of construction services. Although we have received a construction commitment from TIC with respect to our Alta plant under development, we have not entered into agreements for the engineering, procurement or construction for this plant or with respect to any of our other plants under development or evaluation. We have also not yet reached an agreement with Delta-T to use its technology at Alta. If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will need to engage an alternative technology firm for the Alta plant before construction can begin. Any such contracts would limit our exposure to higher costs in developing and completing new ethanol produ ction facilities. We believe that contractors, engineering firms, construction firms and equipment suppliers increasingly are receiving requests and orders from other companies to build ethanol production facilities, which has led to an escalation of projected construction costs and an increasesignificant reduction in, the lengthblenders’ credit could have a material impact on our results of timeoperations and financial position.  The cost of production of ethanol is made significantly more competitive with that of gasoline as a result of federal tax incentives.  The Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, commonly referred to constructas the “blenders’ credit,” is a federal excise tax incentive program that allows gasoline distributors that blend ethanol plants. Therefore, we may not be ablewith gasoline to secure their services or productsreceive a federal excise tax rate reduction for our Alta plant or other plants under development or evaluationeach blended gallon they sold. The original $0.51 per gallon credit was reduced to $0.45 per gallon beginning on a timely basis orJanuary 1, 2009 and is scheduled to expire on acceptable financial or commercial terms.

We may not be able to obtainDecember 31, 2010.  It is possible that the financing necessary to complete construction of our Alta plant under development or to complete future acquisitions.    In addition to the net proceeds of this offering, we estimate that we will need up to approximately $125 million in additional financing to construct our Alta plant currently under development. This amount assumes the full utilization of our current bank facility. This amount may be partially offset by cash flow generated by our first two plants. We intend to raise part or all of these necessary funds through additional debt financing. We may also need further funding if there are delays in construction or increased construction costs at any of our planned construction sites or to complete any acquisitions that we may identify from time to time. We may finance unanticipated construction costs or acquisitions with additional indebtedness or by issuing additional equity securities. We may not have access to the required funding, or funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms.

Although the material conditions precedent to borrowing have been satisfied, our ability to borrow under our bank facility for the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont plants remains subject to the satisfaction of a number of additional conditions precedent, including, among other considerations, the provision of engineers’, market consultants’ and environmental reports and legal opinions, in each case satisfactory to the lenders. To the extent that we are not able to satisfy these requirements, weblenders’ credit will not be renewed beyond 2010 or will be renewed on different terms.  If the blenders’ credit is not renewed, or is renewed at a reduced rate, it may decrease the demand for ethanol, which is likely to result in lower prices for ethanol, or it may result in a decrease in the price that gasoline blenders and marketers are able to borrowpay for ethanol.  In such event, there would likely be a material adverse affect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.


The elimination of or significant changes to the Freedom to Farm Act could reduce corn supplies.  In 1996, Congress passed the Freedom to Farm Act, which allows farmers continued access to government subsidies while reducing restrictions on farmers’ decisions about land use. This act not only increased acreage dedicated to corn crops but also allowed farmers more flexibility to respond to increases in corn prices by planting greater amounts of corn. The elimination of this act could reduce the amount of corn available in future years and could reduce the farming industry’s responsiveness to the increasing corn needs of ethanol producers.

Ethanol can be imported into the United States duty-free from some countries, which may undermine the domestic ethanol industry.  Imported ethanol is generally subject to a $0.54 per gallon tariff that was designed to offset the “blenders’ credit” ethanol incentive available under the bank facility without obtaining a waiver or consentfederal excise tax incentive program for refineries that blend ethanol in their gasoline. A special exemption from the lenders. Any inabilitytariff exists for ethanol imported from 24 countries in Central America and the Caribbean Islands, which is limited to borrow under our bank facility could materially harm our ability to finance constructiona total of these plants.

We may encounter unanticipated difficulties in constructing our plants. The TIC subsidiary that has agreed to construct our Wood River and Fairmont plants has not previously constructed an entire ethanol plant7.0% of the size and type we are constructing. U.S. production per year. In addition, the Delta-T technologyNorth American Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 1994, allows Canada and Mexico to import ethanol duty-free. Imports from the exempted countries may increase as a result of new plants under development. The tariff is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010. If it is not extended by Congress, imports of ethanol from non-exempt countries may increase. Production costs for ethanol in these countries can be significantly less than in the United States and the duty-free import of lower price ethanol through the countries exempted from the tariff may reduce the demand for domestic ethanol and the price at which we plan to utilize atsell our plants is currently in use only in ethanol plants with capacities of 60 Mmgy or less. Further, we remain responsible for the construction of certain infrastructure outsideethanol.


The effect of the Wood RiverRenewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, program in the Energy Independence and Fairmont plants, such as a rail loop and rail connections, natural gas interconnect pipelines and grain elevator improvements. As a result, we


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may encounter unanticipated difficultiesSecurity Act signed into law in December 2007 and the constructionEnergy Policy Act signed into law in August 2005 is uncertain.  The use of fuel oxygenates, including ethanol, was mandated through regulation, and development of our proposed plants may be more costly or time-consuming than we anticipate. We may be entitled to seek damages from TIC if we encounter unanticipated difficulties in constructing or operating our proposed plants, but our ability to seek damages may be limited. Under the engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, contracts relating to our Wood River and Fairmont plants, TIC’s liability is capped at 100%much of the contract price until provisional acceptanceforecasted growth in demand for ethanol was expected to result from additional mandated use of oxygenates. Most of this growth was projected to occur in the next few years as the remaining markets switch from methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) to ethanol. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, however, eliminated the mandated use of oxygenates and instead established minimum nationwide levels of renewable fuels—ethanol, biodiesel or any other liquid fuel produced from biomass or biogas—to be blended with gasoline. The legislation also included provisions for trading of credits for use of renewable fuels and authorized potential reductions in the RFS minimum by action of a governmental administrator. The rules for implementation of the relevant plantRFS and 30%the energy bill became effective in September 2007, and the ultimate effects of the contract price thereafter. TIC may also be wholly or partially excused from performance under the EPC contracts due to certain force majeure events or delays or defaultsthese rules on our part.

Competition for qualified personnel in the ethanol industry is intense, and we may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to operate ourare uncertain. In addition, the favorable ethanol plants.    Our success depends in part on our ability to attract and retain competent personnel. For each of our plants, we must hire qualified managers, engineers and operations and other personnel, which can be challenging in a rural community. Competition for both managers and plant employeesprovisions in the ethanol industry is intense,2007 Act and we may not be able to attract and maintain qualified personnel. If we are unable to hire and maintain productive and competent personnel, our strategy2005 Act may be adversely affected by the enactment of additional legislation.


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The legislation did not include MTBE liability protection sought by refiners. Management believes that this lack of protection led to the virtual elimination of MTBE as a blending agent, and increased demand for ethanol. Refineries, however, may use replacement additives other than ethanol, such as iso-octane, iso-octene and alkylate. Accordingly, the actual demand for ethanol may increase at a lower rate than previously estimated, resulting in excess production capacity in our industry, which would negatively affect our business.

Waivers of the RFS minimum levels of renewable fuels included in gasoline could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations.  Under the Energy Policy Act, the U.S. Department of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy, may waive the renewable fuels mandate with respect to one or more states if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that implementing the requirements would severely harm the economy or the environment of a state, a region or the nation, or that there is inadequate supply to meet the requirements. Any waiver of the RFS with respect to one or more states would reduce demand for ethanol and could cause our results of operations to decline and our financial condition to suffer.

Our results and liquidity may be adversely affected by future hedging transactions and other strategies.

Although we are currently unable to do so due to limited financial resources, we may not be ablein the future enter into contracts to efficiently operate our ethanol plants upon completion of construction as planned.

Delays and defects may cause our costs to increase to levels that would make our new facilities too expensive to construct or unprofitable.    We may suffer significant delays or cost overruns at our sites that could prevent us from commencing operations as expected assell a result of various factors. These factors include shortages of workers or materials, construction and equipment cost escalation, transportation constraints, adverse weather, unforeseen difficulties or labor issues, or changes in political administrations at the federal, state or local levels that result in policy change towards ethanol in general or our projects in particular. Defects in materials or workmanship could also delay the commencement of operations of our planned facilities, increase production costs or negatively affect the qualityportion of our ethanol and distillers grain. Duegrain production or to purchase a portion of our corn or natural gas requirements on a forward basis to offset some of the effects of volatility of ethanol prices and costs of commodities.  From time to time, we may also engage in other hedging transactions involving exchange-traded futures contracts for corn and natural gas. The financial statement impact of these activities will depend upon, among other things, the prices involved, changes in the underlying market price and our ability to sell sufficient products to use all of the corn and natural gas for which we have futures contracts or our ability to sell excess corn or natural gas purchased in hedging transactions. Hedging arrangements also expose us to the risk of financial loss in situations where the other party to the hedging contract defaults on its contract or, in the case of exchange-traded contracts, where there is a change in the expected differential between the underlying price in the hedging agreement and the actual prices paid or received by us.


Although we will attempt to link our hedging activities to sales and production plans and pricing activities, such hedging activities can themselves result in losses. Hedging activities can result in losses when a position is purchased in a declining market or a position is sold in a rising market. This risk can be increased in highly volatile conditions such as those recently experienced in corn and other commodities futures markets. A hedge position is often settled when the physical commodity is either purchased (corn and natural gas) or sold (ethanol or distillers grain). In the interim, we are and may continue to be subject to the risk of margin calls and other demands on our financial resources arising from hedging activities. We may experience hedging losses in the future. We may also vary the amount of hedging or other unforeseen factors,price mitigation strategies we undertake, and we may choose not be able to proceed with the construction or operation of our ethanol production facilities under construction orengage in development in a timely manner orhedging transactions at all.

Excess production capacity As a result, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by increases in our industry resulting from new plants under constructionthe price of corn or natural gas or decreases in the demand forprice of ethanol.   In addition, our significant indebtedness and debt service requirements increase the effect of changes in commodities prices on our cash flow, and may limit our ability to sustain our operations in the future.


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During the year ended December 31, 2008, the LLC recorded a $39.9 million loss from hedging. All of the hedge contracts that caused this loss were entered into with Cargill, which conducts all corn purchases and sales of ethanol orand distillers grain could adversely affectfor the LLC and its subsidiaries. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and capital resources—Cargill debt agreement” in our business.

AccordingQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010 incorporated by reference in this prospectus. On January 16, 2009, the Company announced that it had finalized an agreement with Cargill resolving matters related to these unpaid losses. Following a $3.0 million payment in early December 2008, the RFA, domestic ethanol production capacity has increased from approximately 1.8 Bgpy,remaining balance due to Cargill totaled $14.4 million and interest began accruing at a 5% annual rate, with future payments to Cargill being contingent on available cash flow, as defined in 2001,the agreement. Although we intend to an estimated 5.9 Bgpy at April 2007. The RFA estimates that, as of April 2007, approximately 6.2 Bgpy of additional production capacity, an increase of approximately 106% over current production levels, is under construction at 85 new and existing facilities. This estimate does not include our construction plans or certain expansion plans of other ethanol producers. In particular, Archer Daniels Midland Company, the largest domestic ethanol producer, has announced plans to increase its production capacity by approximately 51% by mid-2008. Asuse a result of this increase in production, the ethanol industry faces the risk of excess capacity. In a manufacturing industry with excess capacity, producers have an incentive to continue manufacturing products for so long as the priceportion of the product exceedsproceeds from this rights offering and the marginal costLLC’s concurrent private placement to make a payment to Cargill and thereafter issue depositary shares to Cargill in settlement of production (i.e.,all further obligations under the costSettlement Agreement, if we do not generate sufficient proceeds to pay Cargill, the Settlement Agreement will remain in effect and will limit the Company’s use of producing onlycertain future cash flows that would otherwise have been available for other purposes, including pursuit of business opportunities, plant expansion or acquisitions.


The Company has adopted a risk management policy which is intended to provide additional, formal oversight over the next unit, without regard to interest, overhead or other fixed costs). If there is excess capacity in our industry, this could result in a reductionhedging activities of the market priceLLC and the operating subsidiaries of ethanol to a levelthe LLC.  We cannot assure you, however, that is inadequate to generate sufficient cash flow to cover costs, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. If such circumstances were to arise, it would be extremely unlikely that the potential sale of onethis policy will prevent or more plants or plant sites would be worth pursuing at that time.

Excess ethanol production capacity also may result from decreases in the demand for ethanol, which could result from a number of factors, including regulatory developments and reduced gasoline consumption in the United States. Reduced gasoline consumption could occur as a result of increased prices for gasoline or crude oil, which could cause businesses and

mitigate future hedging losses.

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consumers to reduce driving or acquire vehicles with more favorable gasoline mileage, or as a result of technological advances, such as the commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cells, which could supplant gasoline-powered engines. There are a number of governmental initiatives designed to reduce gasoline consumption, including tax credits for hybrid vehicles and consumer education programs. There is some evidence that reduced gasoline consumption has occurred in the recent past as gasoline prices have increased in the United States.

In addition, because ethanol production produces distillers grain as a co-product, increased ethanol production will also lead to increased supplies of distillers grain. An increase in the supply of distillers grain, without corresponding increases in demand, could lead to lower prices.

Increased acceptance of ethanol as a fuel and construction of additional ethanol production plants could lead to shortages of availability and increases in the price of corn.

We anticipate that the expansion


The growth of the ethanol industry will leadhas led to significantly greater demand for corn. Cargill, which has agreed to supplysupplies corn for our plants, under construction, may have difficulty from time to time in sourcing corn on economical terms, due to supply shortages or elevated market prices. Any supply shortage could require us to suspend operations until corn becomes available on economical terms. Suspension of operations would materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, the price we pay for corn could increase if another ethanol production facility were built in the same general vicinity, if we expand one of our production facilities or based on market conditions. In Minnesota, oneOne of our competitors has begun construction onconstructed a large scale ethanol production plant approximately six miles from our Fairmont site, near Welcome, Minnesota. Two plants in such close proximity could lead to increases i nin the price of corn or shortages of availability of corn in the area. In addition, the price of corn has increased significantly over historical levels in late 2006, through 2007 and to date in 2007.into the third quarter of 2008. This increase in corn prices is duewas attributed in part to the anticipated demand from new ethanol production plants under construction or development.  Although corn prices declined rapidly in the later part of 2008 and fluctuated in a range closer to historical levels during 2009, they have recently begun rising again in the third quarter of 2010.   We cannot assure you that the price of corn will not continue to rise significantly in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

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Excess production capacity in our industry may result in over-supply of ethanol which could adversely affect our business.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (the “RFA”), a trade group, domestic ethanol production capacity has increased from approximately 1.8 billion gallons per year (Bgpy) in 2001, to an estimated 13.0 Bgpy at the end of 2009. The RFA estimates that, as of January 1, 2010, approximately 1.4 Bgpy of additional production capacity, an increase of approximately 11% over current production levels, is under construction at 11 new and existing facilities.  In July 2010, Archer Daniels Midland Company, the second largest domestic ethanol producer, announced the start-up of operations at a new plant representing expanded capacity of 300 million gallons per year (Mmgy).  In addition, the Energy Information Agency (EIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy recently estimated that, during the month of July 2010, the most recent month for which statistics were available, daily ethanol production in the U.S. was 857,000 barrels per day, which would equate to an annualized output of approximately 13.1 Bgpy, exceeding the all-time high output from the previous month.  As a result of this increase in production, the ethanol industry faces the risk of excess capacity.  In a manufacturing industry with excess capacity, producers have an incentive to continue manufacturing products as long as the price of the product exceeds the marginal cost of production (i.e., the cost of producing only the next unit, without regard to interest, overhead or other fixed costs). 

Excess ethanol production capacity also may result from decreases in the demand for ethanol, which could result from a number of factors, including regulatory developments and reduced gasoline consumption in the United States. Reduced gasoline consumption could occur as a result of a decrease in general economic conditions, as a result of increased prices for gasoline or crude oil, which could cause businesses and consumers to reduce driving or acquire vehicles with more favorable gasoline mileage, or as a result of technological advances, such as the commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cells, which could supplant gasoline-powered engines. There are a number of governmental initiatives designed to reduce gasoline consumption, including tax credits for hybrid vehicles and consumer education programs. According to preliminary data published by the EIA, motor fuel consumption in the United States, which includes ethanol blended with gasoline, declined to approximately 137.8 billion gallons in 2009 from 138.2 billion gallons the prior year.  Management believes that this decline in overall motor fuel consumption was the result of the severe economic recession recently experienced in the U.S., and has also contributed to the declining price of ethanol.

If there is excess capacity in our industry, and it continues to outstrip demand for a significant period of time, the market price of ethanol could remain at a level that is inadequate to generate sufficient cash flow to cover costs, which could result in an impairment charge, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and which could render us unable to make debt service payments and cause us to cease operating altogether.

Competition for qualified personnel in the ethanol industry is intense, and we may not be able to retain qualified personnel to operate our ethanol plants.

Our success depends in part on our ability to attract and retain competent personnel. For each of our plants, we must hire and retain qualified managers, engineers and operations and other personnel, which can be challenging in a rural community. Competition for both managers and plant employees in the ethanol industry can be intense. Although we have hired the personnel necessary to operate our plants, we may not be able to maintain or retain qualified personnel. If we are unable to hire and maintain or retain productive and competent personnel, our strategy may be adversely affected and we may not be able to efficiently operate our ethanol plants as planned.

We are dependent upon our officers for management and direction, and the loss of any of these persons could adversely affect our operations and results.


We are dependent upon the diligence and skill of our senior management team for implementation of our proposed strategy and execution of our business plan. Ourplan, and our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of our senior management team, particularly Thomas J. Edelman, Scott H. Pearce, Daniel J. Simon, David J. Kornder and Timothy S. Morris. We rely on Mr. Edelman’s experience managing natural resources companies and his skill and experience in acquiring and disposing of businesses and properties. We also rely on the expertise and business relationships of Messrs. Edelman, Pearce and Simon in identifying our plant sites and securing construction, supply, marketing and other arrangements for our plants. None of these individuals would be easy to replace on short notice. In addition, Mr. Edelman, our Chairman, also serves as Chairman of two other companies and is on the board of directors and a significant stockholde r in several additional companies. As a result, Mr. Edelman can commit only a portion of his business time to our company. We do not have employment agreements with any of our officers or key employees, other than Mr. Pearce and Mr. Simon.team. We do not maintain ‘‘key person’’“key person” life insurance for any of our officers or other employees. The loss of any of our officers could delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.


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We will beare dependent on our commercial relationship with Cargill and will be subject to various risks associated with this relationship.


Our operating results may suffer if Cargill does not perform its obligations under our contracts.  We have entered into an extensive commercial relationship with Cargill and will be dependent on Cargill for the success of our business. This relationship includes long-term


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marketing agreements with Cargill, under which Cargill has agreed to market and distribute 100% of the ethanol and distillers grain produced at our Wood River and Fairmont production plants. We have also entered into corn supply agreements with Cargill, under which Cargill will supplysupplies 100% of the corn for our Wood River and Fairmont plants. We intend to enter into ethanol and distillers grain marketing agreements and corn supply agreements with Cargill for our Alta plant under development, although we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into these agreements or that they will be on the same terms as the agreements currently in place with respect to our Wood River and Fairmont plants. The success of our business will dependdepends on Cargill’s ability to provide our production plants with the required corn supply in a cost-effective manner and to market and distribute our products successfully. If Cargill defaults on payments owed to us, fails to perform any of its responsibilities or does not perform i tsits responsibilities as effectively as we expect them to under our agreements, our results of operations will be adversely affected.


Cargill may terminate the marketing and supply agreements relating to each of our Wood River and Fairmont plants if provisional acceptance of the plants does not occur by December 31, 2009.    If provisional acceptance under our EPC contracts with TIC relating to our Wood River or Fairmont plant does not occur by December 31, 2009, Cargill may terminate the marketing and supply agreements relating to that plant. This means that if the completion of construction of either of the first two plants, currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2008, were delayed beyond December 31, 2009 for any reason, Cargill could terminate, or seek to renegotiate the terms of, its commercial agreements with us relating to the delayed plant. Without our commercial relationship with Cargill, we may not be able to acquire sufficient corn to produce ethanol and distillers grain at expected capacities and may not be able to market our products successfully.

Cargill may terminate its arrangements with us in the event that certain parties acquire 30% or more of our common stock or the power to elect a majority of the Board.  Cargill has the right to terminate its arrangements with us for any or all of our facilities if any of five identified parties or their affiliates acquires 30% or more of our common stock or the power to elect a majority of our Boardboard of Directors.directors. Cargill has designated five parties, each of which is currently engaged primarily in the agricultural commodities business, and it has the right to annually update this list of identified parties, so long as the list does not exceed five entities and the affiliates of such entities. The five parties currently identified by Cargill are Archer Daniels Midland Company, CHS Inc., Tate & Lyle PLC, The Scoular Company and Bunge Limited. Cargill’s termination right may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging transactions with these parties and their affiliates that might otherwise be beneficial to us. If Cargill were to terminate any of our goods and services agreements, it would have a significant negative impact on our business and we would be unable to continue our operations at each affected facility until alternative arrangements were made. If we were required to make alternative arrangements, we may not be able to make such arrangements or, if we are able to make such arrangements, they may not be on terms as favorable as our agreements with Cargill. We currently have no agreements or structure in place that would prohibit any of the parties identified by Cargill from acquiring 30% or more of our common stock and we do not expect to have any such agreements or structures in the future. However, we have no expectation that any of these parties would have an interest in acquiring stockshares of the company.our common stock. We will implement a procedure upon initiat ion of public trading to monitor Schedule 13D filings so that we will be informed of any parties accumulating ownership of our stock. If any identified party accumulates a significant amount of stock, our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors will address the matter at that time consistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.


If we do not meet certain quality and quantity standards under our marketing agreements with Cargill, our results of operations may be adversely affected.  If our ethanol or distillers grain does not meet certain quality standards, Cargill may reject our products or accept our products and decrease the purchase price to reflect the inferior quality. In addition, if our distillers grain is subject to a recall reasonably determined by Cargill to be necessary, we will be


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responsible for all reasonable costs associated with the recall. If we fail to produce a sufficient amount of ethanol or distillers grain and, as a result, Cargill is required to purchase replacement products from third parties at a higher purchase price to meet sale commitments, we must pay Cargill the price difference plus a commission on the deficiency volume. Our failure to meet the quality and quantity standards in our marketing agreements with Cargill could adversely affect our results of operations.

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We will be subject to certain risks associated with Cargill’s ethanol marketing pool.  Under the terms of our ethanol marketing agreements, Cargill willmay place our ethanol in a common marketing pool with ethanol produced by Cargill and certain other third party producers. Each participant in the pool will receive the same price for its share of ethanol sold, net of freight and other agreed costs incurred by Cargill with respect to the pooled ethanol. Freight and other charges will be divided among pool participants based solely upon each participant’s ethanol volume in the pool. As a result, we may be responsible for higher freight and other costs than we would be if we did not participate in the marketing pool, depending on the freight and other costs attributable to the other marketing pool members. In addition, we may become committed to sell ethanol at a fixed price in the future under the marketing pool, exposing us to the risk of increased corn prices if we are unable to hedge such sales. We have the right to opt out of the ethanol marketing pool for any contract year by giving Cargill six-monthsa six-month advance notice. However, we may be required to participate in the pool for an additional 18 months if Cargill has contractually committed to sell ethanol based on our continued participation in the pool.


We are subject to certain risks associated with our corn supply agreements with Cargill.  We have agreed to purchase our required corn supply for our Wood River and Fairmont plants exclusively from Cargill and will pay Cargill a per bushel fee for all corn Cargill sells to us. We cannot assure you that the prices we will pay for corn under our corn supply agreements with Cargill, together with the fee we have agreed to pay to Cargill, will be lower than the prices we could pay or that our competitors will be paying for corn from other sources.


Our interests may conflict with the interests of Cargill.  According to the RFA, as of April 2007,February 2009, Cargill was the sixth largest domestic producerhas two of ethanol,its own plants, which were producing approximately 120 Mmgy, and has announced its intention to expand production at one of these facilities by approximately 110 Mmgy and to develop four new 100 Mmgy ethanol plants in the Midwestern United States.Mmgy. In addition, we understand that Cargill has entered into commercial arrangements similar to ours with ASAlliances Biofuels, Inc. and has made an equity investment in that company. Furthermore, we understand that Cargill marketsmay market ethanol for other third parties under the marketing pool arrangements described above. We cannot assure you that Cargill will not favor its own interests or those of other parties over our interests. Under our marketing agreements with Cargill, ot herother than our right to terminate to the extent such conflict results in material quantifiable pecuniary loss, we have waived any claim of conflict of interest against Cargill for failure to use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize our returns to the extent such claims relate to an alleged conflict of interest or alleged preference to third parties for which Cargill provides marketing services. If we elected to terminate the marketing agreements in these circumstances, we would need to enter into replacement marketing arrangements with another party, which may not be possible at all or on terms as favorable as our current agreements with Cargill. To the extent a conflict of interest does not result in material quantifiable pecuniary loss, we would be without recourse against Cargill.

We may not be able to enter into definitive agreements with Cargill with respect to our additional plants under development.    Although we have entered into a letter agreement with Cargill with respect to our additional plants under development, we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into definitive commercial agreements with Cargill relating to our planned Alta plant or any future plants on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we are unable to enter into definitive commercial arrangements with Cargill with respect to these plants, we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into replacement agreements with another party on commercially reasonable terms or at all.


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New, more energy-efficient technologies for producing ethanol could displace corn-based ethanol and materially harm our results of operations and financial condition.


The development and implementation of new technologies may impact our business significantly. The current trend in ethanol production research is to develop an efficient method of producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass such as agricultural waste, forest residue, and municipal solid waste. This trend is driven by the fact that cellulosic biomass is generally cheaper than corn and producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass would create opportunities to produce ethanol in areas that are unable to grow corn. Another trend in ethanol production research is to produce ethanol through a chemical process rather than a fermentation process, thereby significantly increasing the ethanol yield per pound of feedstock. Although current technology does not allow these production methods to be cost competitive, new technologies may develop that would allow these or other methods to become viable means of ethanol production in the future thereby displacing corn-based ethanol i nin whole or in part or intensifying competition in the ethanol industry. Our planned plants are designed to produce corn-based ethanol through a fermentation process. If we are unable to adopt or incorporate these advances into our operations, our cost of producing ethanol could be significantly higher than those of our competitors, and retrofitting our plants may be very time-consuming and could require significant capital expenditures. In addition, advances in the development of alternatives to ethanol, such as alternative fuel additives, or technological advances in engine and exhaust system design performance, such as the commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cells or hybrid engines, or other factors could significantly reduce demand for or eliminate the need for ethanol. We cannot predict when new technologies may become available, the rate of acceptance of new technologies, the costs associated with new technologies or whether these other factors may harm demand for ethanol.

We expect to incur a significant amount of indebtedness to construct our facilities, a substantial portion of which will be secured by our assets.

Assuming that this offering generates net proceeds to us of $147 million as set forth under ‘‘Use of proceeds’’, we expect to borrow up to approximately $340 million in order to finance the construction of our three planned facilities. A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $17.00 per share, the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus, would decrease or increase the amount we expect to borrow by approximately $9 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option. Under our current bank facility and our subordinated loan agreement, we have commitments in place for up to an aggregate of $210 million of construction loans for our Wood River and Fairmont plants. In addition, up to $20 million in working capital loans wil l be available to pay the operating expenses of these plants, with up to $5 million becoming available upon mechanical completion of a plant, up to $10 million becoming available upon provisional acceptance of a plant and the full $20 million becoming available if certain conditions precedent, including completion of the plants, are satisfied prior to June 30, 2009. We may also borrow additional amounts in order to finance construction or acquisition of, or investment in, additional ethanol production projects.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences by adversely affecting our financial position.

Our substantial indebtedness could:

• require us to dedicate all of our cash flow from operations (after the payment of operating expenses) to payments with respect to our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate expenditures;
• restrict our ability to take advantage of strategic opportunities;
• increase our vulnerability to adverse general economic or industry conditions;


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• limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, competition or changes in our business or industry;
• limit our ability to borrow additional funds;
• restrict us from building new facilities or exploring business opportunities; and
• place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to competitors that have less debt or greater financial resources.

Our ability to make payments on and refinance our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash from our operations. Our ability to generate cash from operations is subject, in large part, to general economic, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors and other factors that are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate enough cash flow from operations or obtain enough capital to service our debt or fund our planned capital expenditures.

If we do not have sufficient cash flow to service our debt, we would need to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or sell securities, any or all of which we may not be able to do on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We are subject to risks associated with our existing debt arrangements.

Our bank facility.    The subsidiaries that own our Wood River and Fairmont plants have entered into a bank facility with a group of financial institutions that is secured by substantially all of those subsidiaries’ assets. Although the material conditions precedent to borrowing have been satisfied, our ability to borrow under our bank facility remains subject to the satisfaction of a number of additional conditions precedent, including the provision of engineers’, market consultants’ and environmental reports and legal opinions, in each case satisfactory to the lenders. To the extent that we are not able to satisfy these requirements, we will not be able to borrow under the bank facility without obtaining a waiver or consent from the lenders, which could result in a delay of our construction.

The terms of the bank facility include customary events of default and covenants that limit the applicable subsidiaries from taking certain actions without obtaining the consent of the lenders. In particular, our bank facility places significant restrictions on the ability of those subsidiaries to distribute cash to the LLC, which limits our ability to use cash generated by those subsidiaries for other purposes. In addition, the bank facility restricts those subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness.

Under our bank facility, if Cargill, or as long as any warranty obligations remain outstanding under our Wood River or Fairmont EPC contracts, TIC or Delta-T admits in writing its inability to, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due, we will be deemed to be in default.

In addition, the construction loans for our Wood River and Fairmont plants under our bank facility will become due and payable on June 30, 2009, unless certain conditions precedent are met by that date, including the substantial completion of those plants. If our Wood River and Fairmont plants are not substantially complete by June 30, 2009, any outstanding borrowings under our bank facility will be immediately due and payable, and we may not have sufficient funds to repay the borrowings.

Moreover, because the bank facility only contains limits on the amount of indebtedness that certain of our subsidiaries may incur, we have the ability to incur substantial additional indebtedness, and any additional indebtedness we incur could exacerbate the risks described above.

Our subordinated loan agreement.    The LLC has entered into a subordinated loan agreement with entities affiliated with Greenlight Capital, Inc. and entities and individuals affiliated with Third Point LLC. Subordinated borrowings are secured by the subsidiary equity interests owned by the LLC.

A default under our senior debt would also constitute a default under our subordinated debt and would entitle the lenders to accelerate the repayment of amounts outstanding. Moreover,


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these lenders would have the option to terminate any obligation to make further extensions of credit. In the event of a default, the lenders could also proceed to foreclose against the assets securing such obligations. Because the debt under our existing arrangements subjects substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation. In the event of a foreclosure on all or substantially all of our assets, we may not be able to continue to operate as a going concern.

Our future debt facilities will likely be secured by substantially all our assets.

We expect that the debt we will incur to finance our plants under development or evaluation will be incurred either pursuant to a new corporate credit facility that would replace our current bank facility and would be secured by substantially all of our assets or, in the alternative, by different, newly-formed subsidiaries, secured by substantially all of the assets related to those additional plants. Because the debt under these facilities may subject substantially all of our assets to liens, there may be no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation.

Our profit margins may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the selling price and production cost of gasoline.


Ethanol is marketed as a fuel additive to reduce vehicle emissions from gasoline, as an octane enhancer to improve the octane rating of the gasoline with which it is blended and, to a lesser extent, as a gasoline substitute. As a result, ethanol prices are influenced by the supply of and demand for gasoline. Our results of operations may be materially harmed if the demand for, or the price of, gasoline decreases. Conversely, a prolonged increase in the price of, or demand for, gasoline could lead the U.S. government to relax import restrictions on foreign ethanol that currently benefit us.

Any facility that we complete may not operate as planned. A disruption in our operations could result in a reduction of sales volume and could cause us to incur substantial losses.

Our revenues will be derived from the sale of ethanol and distillers grain that we produce at our facilities. Any facility we construct may have operational problems preventing production at its expected capacity or requiring halts in production. Furthermore, local water, electricity and gas utilities may not be able to reliably supply the resources that our facilities will need or may not be able to supply them on acceptable terms. Our operations may be subject to significant interruption if any of our facilities experiences a major accident or is damaged by severe weather or other natural disasters. In addition, our operations may be subject to labor disruptions, unscheduled downtime or other operational hazards inherent in our industry. Some of these operational hazards may cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment or environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations and the imposition of c ivil or criminal penalties. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover the potential operational hazards described above and we may not be able to renew our insurance on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, until our Alta plant under development is operational, we will be particularly dependent on our Wood River and Fairmont plants, and the effects of a disruption at these plants could have a more significant effect on our business.


Our business will be highly dependent on commodity prices, which are subject to significant volatility and uncertainty, and on the availability of raw materials supplies, so our results of operations, financial condition and business outlook may fluctuate substantially.

Our results of operations depend substantially on the prices of various commodities, particularly the prices for ethanol, corn, natural gas and unleaded gasoline. The prices of these commodities are volatile and beyond our control. See ‘‘Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations — Components of revenues and expenses’’ for information regarding changes in the prices of ethanol, corn and natural gas during the period since 2000. As a result of the volatility of the prices for these items, our results may fluctuate substantially. We may experience periods during which the prices of our products decline and the


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costs of our raw materials increase, which in turn may result in operating losses and hurt our financial condition. If a substantial imbalance occurred, we may take actions to mitigate the effect of the imbalance, such as storing our uncontracted ethanol for a period of time. These actions could involve additional costs and could have a negative impact on our operating results.

Our business will beis highly sensitive to corn prices, and we generally cannot pass along increases in corn prices to our customers.


Corn is the principal raw material we will use to produce ethanol and distillers grain. We expect corn costs to represent approximately 60%77% of our total operating expenses.expenses, assuming a corn price of $4.75 per bushel. Changes in the price of corn therefore will significantly affect our business. In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins.margins and may result in negative margins if not accompanied by increases in ethanol prices. Under current market conditions, because ethanol competes with fuels that are not corn-based, we generally will beare unable to pass along increased corn costs to our customers.customer. At certain levels, corn prices would make ethanol uneconomical to use in fuel markets.  Over the period from April 1997 to April 2007,July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010, spot corn prices, based on the Chicago Board of Trade, or CBOT, daily futures data, have ranged from a low of $1.83$3.01 per bushel in September 2009 to a high of $7.49 per bushel in July 2000 to a high of $4.48 per bushel in February 2007,2008, with prices averaging $2.43$3.99 per bushel during this two year period. As of April 17, 2007,September 30, 2010, the CBOT spot price of corn was $3.39$4.96 per bushel.  The price of corn is influenced by a n umbernumber of factors, including weather conditions and other factors affecting crop yields, farmer planting decisions and general economic, market and regulatory factors, government policies and subsidies with respect to agriculture and international trade, and global and local supply and demand.  In addition, any event that tends to increase the demand for corn could cause the price of corn to increase. We believe it is likely that the increasing ethanol production capacity has contributed to, and will continue to contribute to, a period of elevated corn prices compared to historical levels.

The price spread between ethanol and corn can vary significantly.

Our gross profit will depend principally on the spread — referred to as the ‘‘crush spread’’ — between the price of a gallon of ethanol and the price of the amount of corn required to produce a gallon of ethanol. During the period from September 1997 to April 2007, ethanol prices, based on average U.S. ethanol rack prices reported by Bloomberg, L.P., have ranged from a low of $0.94 per gallon in February 2002 to a high of $3.98 per gallon in July 2006, averaging $1.53 per gallon during this period, and the spot price of Chicago No. 2 yellow corn has ranged from $1.51 to $4.19. From 2005 to 2007, this spread has fluctuated widely, as average U.S. ethanol rack prices, reported by Bloomberg, have ranged from $1.18 to $3.98, and Chicago No. 2 yellow corn spot prices have ranged from $1.64 to $4.19. As of April 17, 2007, based on these same sources, the ethanol rack price was $2.36 per gallon, the spot price of corn was $3.39 per b ushel and the spread between the average U.S. rack price for a gallon of ethanol and the amount of corn required to produce a gallon of ethanol was $2.99 per bushel. We expect fluctuations in the crush spread to continue. Any reduction in the crush spread, whether as a result of an increase in corn prices or a reduction in ethanol prices, would adversely affect our results of operations. A prolonged significant reduction in the crush spread could affect our ability to obtain financing for our planned Alta plant or our additional plants under development.


The market for natural gas is subject to market conditions that create uncertainty in the price and availability of the natural gas that we will use in our manufacturing process.


We will rely upon third parties for our supply of natural gas, which we will use in the ethanol production process. The prices for and availability of natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions. The fluctuations in natural gas prices over the ten-year period from April 1997,July 1, 2008 through April 2007,June 30, 2010, based on the New York Mercantile Exchange, or NYMEX, daily futures data, have ranged from a low of $1.66$2.51 per Mmbtumillion of British Thermal Units (Mmbtu) in February 1999September 2009 to a high of $15.36$13.58 per Mmbtu in December 2005,July 2008, averaging $4.88$5.21 per Mmbtu during this two year period. As of April 17, 2007,September 30, 2010, the NYMEX spot price of natural gas was $7.50$3.87 per Mmbtu. These market conditions are often affected by factors beyond our control, such as the price of oil as a competitive fuel, higher prices resulting from colder than average weather conditions or the impact of hurricanes and overall economic


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conditions.  Depending upon business conditions, we anticipate using approximately 7,920,000 MmbtuLocal variation in the cost or supply of natural gas annually whenat either plant may also negatively impact our Wood River and Fairmont plants are fully operational and approximately 11,880,000 Mmbtu when all three of our proposed plants are fully operational.operations. Significant disruptions in the supply of natural gas could impair our ability to manufacture ethanol for our customers. Furthermore, increases in natural gas prices could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our results may be adversely affected by hedging transactions and other strategies.

We may enter into contracts to supply a portion of our ethanol and distillers grain production or to purchase a portion of our corn or natural gas requirements on a forward basis to offset some of the effects of volatility of ethanol prices and costs of commodities. From time to time, we may also engage in other hedging transactions involving exchange-traded futures contracts for corn and natural gas. The financial statement impact of these activities will depend upon, among other things, the prices involved and our ability to sell sufficient products to use all of the corn and natural gas for which we have futures contracts or our ability to sell excess corn or natural gas purchased in hedging transactions. Hedging arrangements also expose us to the risk of financial loss in situations where the other party to the hedging contract defaults on its contract or, in the case of exchange-traded contracts, where there is a change in the expected differential between the underlying price in the hedging agreement and the actual prices paid or received by us. Hedging activities can result in losses when a position is purchased in a declining market or a position is sold in a rising market. A hedge position is often settled when the physical commodity is either purchased (corn and natural gas) or sold (ethanol or distillers grain). We may experience hedging losses in the future. We may also vary the amount of hedging or other price mitigation strategies we undertake, and we may choose not to engage in hedging transactions at all. As a result, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by increases in the price of corn or natural gas or decreases in the price of ethanol.


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We may not be able to compete effectively.

Upon completion and successful operation of our ethanol plants, we expect to


We compete with a number of significant ethanol producers in the United States, including Archer Daniels Midland Company, VeraSunValero Energy Corporation, ASAlliances Biofuels, Inc., Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc., Abengoa Bioenergy Corporation, US BioEnergy CorporationPoet, and Hawkeye HoldingsGreen Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.  Some of our competitors are divisions of larger enterprises and have substantially greater financial resources than we do. According to the RFA, Archerthe three largest producers (Archer Daniels Midland Company, currentlyPoet and Valero Energy Corporation) together control 31% of the largest domesticethanol market as of the end of 2009.

In November 2008, VeraSun Energy Corporation filed for protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. VeraSun subsequently announced that seven of its ethanol plants would be sold to Valero Energy, a producer and retailer of gasoline, as a result of an auction process conducted under the auspices of the bankruptcy court. Its remaining plants were sold in the auction to various secured lenders, two of which were subsequently sold to Valero.  In October 2009, Murphy Oil acquired a 110 mgy ethanol accountedplant formerly owned by VeraSun, located in Hankinson, ND, and subsequently restarted operations.  In June 2009, Sunoco Oil, another producer and retailer of gasoline, acquired a 100 mgy ethanol refinery in Volney, New York, and in January 2010 announced it was restarting operations at that plant.  In addition, during 2008 and 2009, a variety of smaller ethanol producers likewise filed for approximately 18%protection under Chapter 11 or comparable state law. While it is too soon to estimate what effect, if any, these events may have on our business or competitive prospects, the impact of domesticthese large oil refiners and retailers vertically integrating into ethanol production, capacityand the possibility that one or more of our other competitors may as a result have improved capital structures, or be without significant debt service obligations, could have the potential effect of April 2007. placing us at a competitive disadvantage.

In addition Archer Daniels has announced that it intends to increase its ethanol production capacity by approximately 51% by mid-2008. According to the RFA, as of April 2007,larger sized competitors described above, there are many smaller competitors that have been able to compete successfully in the next nine largest domestic ethanol producers accounted for approximately 26% of domestic production capacity. Smaller competitors,industry made up mostly of farmer-owned cooperatives and independent firms consisting of groups of individual farmers and investors have also been able to compete successfully in the ethanol industry. Manyinvestors. As many of these smaller competitors are farmer-owned, they receive greater government subsidies than we willdo and often require their farmer-owners to commit to selling them a certain amount of corn as a requirement of ownership. We expect competition to increase as the ethanol industry becomes more widely known and demand for ethanol increases.

In addition, Cargill has entered into arrangements similar to ours with at least one other ethanol producer and has announced plans to expand production at an existing ethanol facility by 110 Mmgy and to develop four new 100 Mmgy ethanol plants in the Midwestern United States. If Cargill decides to forgo future opportunities to do business with us, or chooses to give these opportunities to our competitors or to retain them for itself, whether due to our performance or for reasons beyond our control, our business may not perform as expected.


We also face increasing competition from international suppliers. International suppliers produce ethanol primarily from sugar cane and have cost structures that may be substantially


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lower than ours. Although there is a $0.54 per gallon tariff on foreign-produced ethanol that is approximately equal to the federal blenders’ credit, ethanol imports equivalent to up to 7% of total domestic production in any given year from various countries were exempted from this tariff under the Caribbean Basin Initiative in order to spur economic development in Central America and the Caribbean. In addition, this tariff is currently scheduled to expire in January 2009,on December 31, 2010, and there can be no assurance that it will be renewed beyond that time. Any increase in domestic or foreign competition could force us to reduce our prices and take other steps to compete effectively, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.


Growth in the sale and distribution of ethanol depends on changes to and expansion of related infrastructure which may not occur on a timely basis, if at all.


It currently is impracticable to transport by pipeline fuel blends that contain ethanol. Substantial development of infrastructure will be required by persons and entities outside our control for our business, and the ethanol industry generally, to grow. Areas requiring expansion include, but are not limited to:


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• ·additional rail car capacity;
• ·additional storage facilities for ethanol;
• ·increases in truck fleets capable of transporting ethanol within localized markets; and
• ·investment in refining and blending infrastructure to handle ethanol.ethanol;

·growth in service stations equipped to handle ethanol fuels; and
·growth in the fleet of flexible fuel vehicles capable of using E85 fuels.
The substantial investments or government support required for these infrastructure changes and expansions may not be made on a timely basis or at all. Any delay or failure in making the changes to or expansion of infrastructure could weaken the demand or prices for our products, impede our delivery of products, impose additional costs on us or otherwise materially harm our results of operations or financial position.


Transportation delays, including as a result of disruptions to infrastructure, could adversely affect our operations.


Our business will dependdepends on the availability of rail and road distribution infrastructure. Any disruptions in this infrastructure network, whether caused by earthquakes, storms, other natural disasters or human error or malfeasance, could materially impact our business. It currently is impracticable to transport by pipeline fuel blends that contain ethanol, and we will have limited ethanol storage capacity at our facilities. Therefore, any unexpected delay in transportation of our ethanol could result in significant disruption to our operations, possibly requiring shutting down our plant operations. We will rely upon others to maintain our rail lines from our production plants to national rail networks, and any failure on their part to maintain the lines could impede our delivery of products, impose additional costs on us or otherwise cause our results of operations or financial condition to suffer.


Disruptions in the supply of oil or natural gas could materially harm our business.


Significant amounts of oil and natural gas are required for the growing, fertilizing and harvesting of corn, as well as for the fermentation, distillation and transportation of ethanol and the drying of distillers grain. A serious disruption in the supply of oil or natural gas and any related period of elevated prices could significantly increase our production costs and possibly require shutting down our plant operations, which would materially harm our business.


Our business may be influenced by seasonal fluctuations.


Our operating results may be influenced by seasonal fluctuations in the price of our primary operating inputs, corn and natural gas, and the price of our primary product, ethanol. TheGenerally speaking, the spot price of corn tends to rise during the spring planting season in May and June and tends to decrease during the fall harvest in October and November, although corn prices have not


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followed this pattern in 2006 and to date in 2007.November. The price for natural gas, however, tends to move inversely to that of corn and tends to be lower in the spring and summer and higher in the fall and winter. In addition, our ethanol prices arehave historically been substantially correlated with the price of unleaded gasoline. The price of unleaded gasoline tends to rise during each of the summer and winter. Due to the blenders’ credit, ethanol historically has traded at a per gallon premium to gasoline, although there have been times that ethanol has traded at a discount to gasoline. This discount, or price inversion, is believed to be the result of the rapid growth in the supply of ethanol compounded by the limited infrastructure and blending capacity required for distribution. Given our lack oflimited operating history, we do not know yet how these seasonal fluctuations will affect our operating results over time.


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The price of distillers grain is affected by the price of other commodity products, such as soybeans, and decreases in the price of these commodities could decrease the price of distillers grain.


Distillers grain is one of many animal feed products and competes with other protein-based animal feed products. The price of distillers grain may decrease when the price of competing feed products decreases. The prices of competing animal feed products are based in part on the prices of the commodities from which they are derived. Downward pressure on commodity prices, such as soybeans, will generally cause the price of competing animal feed products to decline, resulting in downward pressure on the price of distillers grain. Because the price of distillers grain is not tied to production costs, decreases in the price of distillers grain will result in us generating less revenue and lower profit margins. In addition, the production of distillers grain is expected to rise significantly in connection with the projected expansion of ethanol production capacity in the United States over the next several years. As a result of this likely significant increase in supp ly,supply, the market price of distillers grain may fall sharply from its current levels. If the market price of distillers grain falls, our business and financial results may be harmed.


Our financial results may be adversely affected by potential future acquisitions or sales of our plants, which could divert the attention of key personnel, disrupt our business and dilute stockholder value.


As part of our business strategy, and as market and financing conditions permit, we intend to (1) pursue acquisitions of other ethanol producers, building sites, production facilities, storage or distribution facilities and selected infrastructure and (2) seek opportunities to sell one or more plants or plant sites on a basis more favorable than we would expect to realize by holding them. Due to increased competition, however, we may not be able to secure suitable acquisition opportunities. Further, we may not be able to find a buyer or buyers for one or more of our plants or plant sites at prices that we consideredconsider attractive.

In addition, the completion of any acquisition may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant financial and managerial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of our currently planned operations. Acquisitions also frequently result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets which are subject to potential impairments in the future that could harm our financial results. In addition, if we finance acquisitions by issuing equity securities or debt that is convertible into equity securities, our existing stockholders may be diluted, which could affect the market price of our common stock. The failure to successfully evaluate and execute acquisitions or investments or otherwise adequately address these risks could materially harm our business and financial results.

The domestic ethanol industry is highly dependent upon


We have encountered unanticipated difficulties in operating our plants, which may recur and cause us to incur substantial losses.

We are aware of certain plant design and construction defects that may impede the reliable and continuous operation of our plants, and as a myriadresult, our plants have not consistently operated at full capacity. We are in the process of federaladdressing these and state legislationa variety of other reliability issues at our plants.  However, our limited liquidity may prevent us from financing all of these initiatives and, regulationeven if completed, we cannot assure you that our initiatives will be successful or can be implemented in a timely fashion or without an extended period of interruption to operations. As a result, the operation of our plants has been more costly or inefficient than we anticipated, and this may recur in the future.  Although we received payments from our general contractor for warranty claims under our engineering, procurement and construction contracts for some of the unanticipated difficulties we have encountered, these payments did not fully compensate us for the cost of remedying such defects.  In any event, we will not be able to recover lost sales or lost profits that have resulted, or might result in the future, from any defect in the design or construction of our plants. Any inability to operate our plants at full capacity on a consistent basis could have a negative impact on our cash flows and liquidity.

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We may also encounter other factors that could prevent us from conducting operations as expected, resulting in decreased capacity or interruptions in production, including shortages of workers or materials, design issues relating to improvements, construction and equipment cost escalation, transportation constraints, adverse weather, unforeseen difficulties or labor issues, or changes in legislationpolitical administrations at the federal, state or regulation could adversely affectlocal levels that result in policy change towards ethanol in general or our resultsplants in particular. Furthermore, local water, electricity and gas utilities may not be able to reliably supply the resources that our facilities will need or may not be able to supply them on acceptable terms. Our operations may be subject to significant interruption if any of our facilities experiences a major accident or is damaged by severe weather or other natural disasters. In addition, our operations may be subject to labor disruptions, unscheduled downtime or other operational hazards inherent in our industry. Some of these operational hazards may cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment or environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations and financial position.

The eliminationthe imposition of civil or criminal penalties. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover the potential operational hazards described above and we may not be able to renew our insurance on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any cessation of operations due to any significant reduction in,of the blenders’ credit couldabove factors would cause our sales to decrease significantly, which would have a material impactadverse effect on our results of operationsoperation and financial position.    The cost of production of ethanol is made significantly more competitive with that of gasoline as a result of federal tax incentives. Before January 1, 2005, the federal excise tax incentive program allowed gasoline distributors that blended ethanol with gasoline to receive a federal excise tax rate reduction for each blended gallon they sold. If the fuel was blended with 10% ethanol, the refiner/marketer paid $0.052 per gallon less tax, which amounted to an incentive of $0.52 per gallon of ethanol. The $0.52 per gallon incentive for ethanol was reduced to $0.51 per gallon in 2005 and is scheduled

condition.

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to expire in 2010. It is possible that the blenders’ credit will not be renewed beyond 2010 or will be renewed on different terms. In addition, the blenders’ credit, as well as other federal and state programs benefiting ethanol (such as tariffs), generally are subject to U.S. government obligations under international trade agreements, including those under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and may be the subject of challenges, in whole or in part. If the blenders’ credit is not extended by June 30, 2009, or is scheduled to expire less than 18 months from any date after June 30, 2009, the amounts we will be required to deposit into an excess cash flow sweep account under our bank facility will increase.

The elimination of or significant changes to the Freedom to Farm Act could reduce corn supplies.    In 1996, Congress passed the Freedom to Farm Act, which allows farmers continued access to government subsidies while reducing restrictions on farmers’ decisions about land use. This act not only increased acreage dedicated to corn crops but also allowed farmers more flexibility to respond to increases in corn prices by planting greater amounts of corn. The elimination of this act could reduce the amount of corn available in future years and could reduce the farming industry’s responsiveness to the increasing corn needs of ethanol producers.

Ethanol can be imported into the United States duty-free from some countries, which may undermine the domestic ethanol industry.    Imported ethanol is generally subject to a $0.54 per gallon tariff that was designed to offset the $0.51 per gallon ethanol incentive available under the federal excise tax incentive program for refineries that blend ethanol in their gasoline. A special exemption from the tariff exists for ethanol imported from 24 countries in Central America and the Caribbean Islands, which is limited to a total of 7.0% of U.S. production per year. In addition, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 1994, allows Canada and Mexico to import ethanol duty-free. Imports from the exempted countries may increase as a result of new plants under development. Production costs for ethanol in these countries can be significantly less than in the United States and the duty-free import of lower price ethanol through the countries exempted from the tariff may reduce the demand for domestic ethanol and the price at which we sell our ethanol.

The effect of the Renewable Fuels Standard in the recent Energy Policy Act is uncertain.    The use of fuel oxygenates, including ethanol, was mandated through regulation, and much of the forecasted growth in demand for ethanol was expected to result from additional mandated use of oxygenates. Most of this growth was projected to occur in the next few years as the remaining markets switch from MTBE to ethanol. The recently enacted Energy Policy Act, however, eliminated the mandated use of oxygenates and instead established minimum nationwide levels of renewable fuels — ethanol, biodiesel or any other liquid fuel produced from biomass or biogas — to be included in gasoline. The legislation also included provisions for trading of credits for use of renewable fuels and authorized potential reductions in the RFS minimum by action of a governm ental administrator. The rules for implementation of the RFS and the energy bill are still under development, and the favorable ethanol provisions in the energy bill may be adversely affected by these rules or the enactment of additional legislation.

The legislation did not include MTBE liability protection sought by refiners. Ethanol producers predict that this lack of protection will result in accelerated removal of MTBE and increased demand for ethanol. Refineries, however, may use replacement additives other than ethanol, such as iso-octane, iso-octene and alkylate. Accordingly, the actual demand for ethanol may increase at a lower rate than previously estimated, resulting in excess production capacity in our industry, which would negatively affect our business.

Under the Energy Policy Act, the U.S. Department of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy, may waive the renewable fuels mandate with respect to one or more states if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that implementing the requirements would severely harm the economy or the environment of a state, a region or the nation, or that there is inadequate supply to meet the requirement. Any waiver of the RFS with respect to one or more states would reduce demand for ethanol and could cause our results of operations to decline and our financial condition to suffer.


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We may be adversely affected by environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and liabilities.

We are and will be upon completion of our ethanol production facilities, subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, access to and impacts on water supply, and the health and safety of our employees. Some of these laws and regulations will require our facilities to operate under permits that are subject to renewal or modification. These laws, regulations and permits can require expensive emissions testing and pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit actual or potential impacts to the environment. A violation of these laws and regulations or permit conditions can result in substantial fines, natural resource damages, criminal sanctions, permit revocations and facility shutdowns. We may not be  at all times in compliance with these laws, regulations or permits at all times or we may no tnot have all permits required to operate our business. We may be subject to legal actions brought by environmental advocacy groups and other parties for actual or alleged violations of environmental laws or permits. In addition, we may be required to make significant capital expenditures on an ongoing basis to comply with increasingly stringent environmental laws, regulations and permits.


During the start-up and initial operation of our two plants, we have occasionally failed to meet all of the parameters of our air and water discharge permits.  We have addressed these issues primarily through adjustments to our equipment and operations, including significant upgrades to our water treatment system in Fairmont, Minnesota, and subsequent re-tests have indicated that we are operating within our permitted limits.  We have received Notices of Violations with respect to both sites from environmental regulators relating to these issues.  In Nebraska, we have not been subject to any enforcement action.  In Minnesota, we have resolved all of our outstanding enforcement issues through a Stipulated Agreement with the state, which resulted in us paying a fine of $285,000 during 2010. We do not anticipate a material adverse impact on our business or financial condition as a result of these prior violations.
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Our water permits are issued under the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), as administered by the states.  Our Minnesota NPDES permit contains certain discharge variances from the water quality standards adopted by the U.S. EPA, which variances expire on July 31, 2011.  As part of the Stipulated Agreement with the state of Minnesota, we expect that we will be required to implement further upgrades to our water treatment system in Fairmont and to implement additional alternative technologies to allow us to meet the water quality standards.  In the event these technologies prove to be infeasible, we expect that we would be required to implement alternative discharge solutions, such as a pipeline to a larger, more remote receiving stream.  Each of these undertakings would require significant expenditures which we expect will represent a significant portion of our capital improvement budgets in Fairmont in 2011 and 2012.  However, we have no assurances at this time that we will be able to meet the timelines for implementing the proposed solutions or, if we are able to identify a solution, that the necessary equipment, technology or construction will not be prohibitively expensive or economically feasible.  Failure to meet the water quality standards on or after the July 31, 2011 expiration date, or as otherwise set forth in the Stipulated Agreement, may result in additional enforcement actions, including substantial fines, and may result in legal actions by private parties, any one or combination of which could have a material adverse affect on our financial condition.

We may be liableadversely affected by pending climate change regulations.

Ethanol production involves the emission of various airborne pollutants, including particulate, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court classified carbon dioxide as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act in a case seeking to require the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide in vehicle emissions. On February 3, 2010, the EPA released its proposed final regulations on the Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS 2. We believe these final regulations grandfather our plants at their current operating capacity, though expansion of our plants will need to meet a threshold of a 20% reduction in “greenhouse gas,” or GHG, emissions from a 2005 baseline measurement to produce ethanol eligible for the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination at any of the properties that we own or operate and at off-site locations where we arrange for the disposal of hazardous substances. If these substances have been or are disposed of or released at sites that undergo investigation or remediation by regulatory agencies, we may be responsible under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or CERCLA, or other environmental laws for all or part of the costs of investigation and remediation, and for damageRFS 2 mandate. In order to natural resources. We also may be subject to related claims by private parties alleging property damage and personal injury due to exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from those properties. Some of these matters may require us to expend significant amounts for investigation, cleanup or other costs.

New laws, new interpretations of existing laws, increased governmental enforcement of environmental laws or other developments could require us to make additional significant expenditures. Continued government and public emphasis on environmental issues can be expected to result in increased future investments for environmental controlsexpand capacity at our production facilities. Environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations now or in the future, more vigorous enforcement policies and discovery of currently unknown conditions may require substantial expenditures that could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial position. For example, carbon dioxide is a co-product of the ethanol manufacturing process and may be released into the atmosphere. Emissions of carbon dioxide are not currently subject to applicable permit requirements. If new laws or regulations are passed relating to the production, disposal or emissions of carbon dioxide ,plants, we may be required to incur significant costs to comply with such new laws or regulations.

The hazards and risks,obtain additional permits, install advanced technology such as fires, natural disasters, explosions and abnormal pressures and blowouts, associated with producing and transporting ethanol also may resultcorn oil extraction, or reduce drying of certain amounts of distillers grains.


Separately, the California Air Resources Board has adopted a Low Carbon Fuel Standard requiring a 10% reduction in personal injury claims or damage to property and third parties. WeGHG emissions from transportation fuels by 2020. An Indirect Land Use Change component is included in this lifecycle GHG emissions calculation, though this standard is being challenged by numerous lawsuits.  This proposed standard could sustain losses for uninsurable or uninsured risks, or in amounts in excess of our insurance coverage. Events that result in significant personal injury or damage to our property or third parties or other losses that are not fully covered by insurance could materially harm our results of operations and financial position.


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Risks relating to our organizational structure

Our only material asset after completion of this offering will be our interest in BioFuel Energy, LLC, and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from BioFuel Energy, LLC to pay dividends, taxes and other expenses.

BioFuel Energy Corp. will be a holding company and will have no material assets other than its ownership of membership interests in the LLC. BioFuel Energy Corp. has no independent means of generating revenue. We intend to cause the LLC to make distributions to its members in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes payable and dividends, if any, declared by us. Our bank facility contains negative covenants, which limit the ability of our operating subsidiaries to declare or pay dividends or distributions. To the extent that BioFuel Energy Corp. needs funds, and the LLC is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulations, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds due, for example, to the restrictions in our bank facility that limit the ability of our operating subsidiaries to distribute funds, our liquidity and financial condition could be materially harmed.

We will be required to pay our historical LLC equity investors for a portion of the benefits relating to any additional tax depreciation or amortization deductions we may claim as a result of tax basis step-ups we receive in connection with future exchanges of BioFuel Energy, LLC membership interests for shares of our common stock.

The membership interests in the LLC held by our historical LLC equity investors upon consummation of the recapitalization and this offering mayeffect in the future be exchanged for shares of rendering our common stock. The exchanges may result in increasesethanol unsaleable in the tax basisstate of the assets of the LLC that otherwise would not have been available. These increasesCalifornia and, if adopted in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that we would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases, and a court could sustain such a challenge.

We intend to enter into a tax benefit sharing agreement with our historical LLC equity investors that will provide for the payment by us to our historical LLC equity investors of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that we actually realize as a result of these increases in tax basis. The increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under this agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the price of shares of our common stock at the time of the exchange, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable,other states, elsewhere.

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Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and the amount and timinginformation incorporated by reference herein include forward-looking statements within the meaning of our income. As a resultSection 27A of the size of the increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of the LLC attributable to our interest in the LLC, during the expected term of the tax benefit sharing agreement, we expect that the payments that we may make to our historical LLC equity i nvestors could be substantial.

Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge a tax basis increase, our historical LLC equity investors will not reimburse us for any payments that may previously have been made under the tax benefit sharing agreement. As a result, in certain circumstances we could make payments to our historical LLC equity investors under the tax benefit sharing agreement in excess of our cash tax savings. Our ability to achieve benefits from any tax basis increase, and the payments to be made under the tax benefit sharing agreement, will depend upon a number of factors, as discussed above, including the timing and amount of our future income.

If BioFuel Energy Corp. were deemed an ‘‘investment company’’ under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a result of its ownership of BioFuel Energy, LLC, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If BioFuel Energy Corp. were to cease participation in the management of the LLC, its interest in the LLC could be deemed an ‘‘investment security’’ for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act. Generally, a person is deemed to be an ‘‘investment company’’ if it owns investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive


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of U.S. government securities and cash items), absent an applicable exemption. Following this offering, BioFuel Energy Corp. will have no material assets other than its equity interest in the LLC. A determination that this interest was an investment security could result in BioFuel Energy Corp. being an investment company under the 1940 Act and becoming subject to the registration and other requirements of the 1940 Act.

The 1940 Act and the rules thereunder contain detailed parameters for the organization and operations of investment companies. Among other things, the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder limit or prohibit transactions with affiliates, impose limitations on the issuance of debt and equity securities, prohibit the issuance of stock options, and impose certain governance requirements. We intend to conduct our operations so that BioFuel Energy Corp. will not be deemed to be an investment company under the 1940 Act. However, if anything were to happen that would cause BioFuel Energy Corp. to be deemed to be an investment company under the 1940 Act, requirements imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure, ability to transact business with affiliates and ability to compensate key employees, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as currently conducted, impair the agreements and arrangements between and among BioFuel Energy Corp., the LLC or our historical equity investors, or any combination thereof and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks relating to the offering and ownership of our common stock

There is no existing market for our common stock, and we do not know whether a market will develop.

Prior to this offering, our common stock has not been traded on a public market, and there are few public companies with substantial ethanol operations. Although we have applied to list our common stock on Nasdaq, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for the shares will develop. The liquidity of any market for the shares of our common stock will depend on a number of factors, including the number of stockholders of our common stock, our operating performance and financial condition and the market for similar securities. An illiquid market will limit your ability to resell shares of our common stock. The initial public offering price for the shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. Consequently, you may not be able to sell shares of our common stock at prices equal to or greater than the price paid by you in this offering .

The price of our common stock may be volatile.

The trading price of our common stock following this offering is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to fluctuations in response to a number of factors beyond our control. Some of these factors are:

• our results of operations and the performance of our competitors;
• the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC;
• changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who follow us or other companies in our industry;
• changes in general economic conditions;
• changes in market prices for our products or for our raw materials;
• actions of our historical equity investors, including sales of common stock by our Directors and executive officers;
• actions by institutional investors trading in our stock;

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• disruption of our operations;
• any major change in our management team;
• other developments affecting us, our industry or our competitors; and
• U.S. and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance.

In recent years the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations may be unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause declines in the market price of our common stock. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company or its performance, and those fluctuations could materially reduce our common stock price.

Certain stockholders’ shares are restricted from immediate resale but may be sold into the market in the near future, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly.

After this offering, we will have outstanding 14,268,044 shares of common stock (15,693,044 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) and 18,231,956 shares of Class B common stock. Of these shares, the 9,500,000 shares we are selling in this offering (10,925,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, orwhich we refer to as the Securities“Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our ‘‘affiliates’’ as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the shares outstanding other than the shares sold in this offering will be ‘‘restricted securities’’ within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

In connection with this offering, we, our executive officers and Directors and the holders of substantially all of our outstanding capital stock have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters. Under these agreements, subject to exceptions, we may not issue any new shares of common stock, and those holders of stock may not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of or hedge any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock, or publicly announce the intention to do any of the foregoing, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus. After the expiration of these lock-up agreements, all of the shares subject to the lock-up agreements will become eligible for sale in the public market over time under Rule 144Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act subjectof 1934, as amended, which we refer to volume limitations and other restrictions contained in Rule 144. In addition, holders of these shares will have the right to require us to register the resale of their shares. If any of these holders sell their shares after the lock-up period, the price of our common stock could decline. In addition, the sale of these shares could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

Our historical equity investors, including some of our officers and Directors, will exert significant influence over us after the completion of this offering. Their interests may not coincide with yours and they may make decisions with which you may disagree.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that the holders of shares of our Class B common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Accordingly, immediately following this offering, Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates, Third Point LLC and its affiliates and Cargill will each control approximately 27%, 14% and 5% of the voting power in BioFuel Energy Corp., respectively, and our officers and Directors will together control approximately 59% of the voting power in BioFuel Energy Corp. The shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC, which are controlled by our Directors David Einhorn and Daniel S. Loeb, respectively, were included in the calculation of voting power attributable to our officers and Directors. Our historical equity investors, acting together, could effect substantially all matters requir ing stockholder approval, including the election of Directors and approval of significant corporate


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transactions. In addition, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change in control of our company and make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of these stockholders. The interests of these stockholders may not always coincide with our interests as a company or the interests of other stockholders. Accordingly, these stockholders could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that you would not approve or make decisions with which you may disagree.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock.

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently anticipate that we will retain all of our available cash, if any, for use as working capital and for other general corporate purposes, including to service our debt and to fund the development and operation of our business. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that the Board of Directors deems relevant. Investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize a return on their investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.

You will experience immediate and significant dilution in the tangible book value of the shares you purchase in this offering.

If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. Based upon the issuance and sale of 9,500,000 shares of our common stock at the assumed offering price of $17.00 per share, the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus, you will incur immediate dilution of approximately $9.72 in the net tangible book value per share if you purchase common stock in the offering. See ‘‘Dilution’’.

Provisions in our charter documents and our organizational structure may delay or prevent our acquisition by a third party or may reduce the value of your investment.

Some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder may deem to be in his or her best interest. For example, our Board may determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of unissued series of preferred stock without any vote or action by our stockholders. In addition, stockholders must provide advance notice to nominate Directors or to propose business to be considered at a meeting of stockholders and may not take action by written consent. Our corporate structure, which provides our historical LLC equity investors, through the shares of Class B common stock they will hold, a number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exchange of their membership interests in the LLC, may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our company. The existence of these provisions and this structure could also limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

Management and our auditors have identified material weaknesses in the design or operation of our internal control over financial reporting that, if not properly remediated, could result in material misstatements in our financial statements in future periods.

In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006, and for the period from April 11, 2006 through December 31, 2006, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, identified certain material weaknesses related to our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is defined by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board as a significant deficiency, or


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combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. A significant deficiency is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects our ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report external financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected. A control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.

The identified material weaknesses consisted of the following:

• Lack of adequate financial systems: We have not implemented an integrated accounting and financial reporting system. Without an adequate accounting system, there is a significant risk that transactions will not be completely and accurately recorded.
• Lack of adequate accounting staff: We do not have the accounting resources to adequately segregate responsibilities and review our financial reports.
• Lack of written policies and procedures: We have not completed the documentation of our financial policies and procedures.

If we are unable to implement an accounting system, hire adequate staff and document our policies and procedures in a timely and effective manner, we will be unable to establish an adequate system of internal control over our financial reporting and our ability to comply with the accounting and financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to public companies would be impaired.

We have begun to address these material weaknesses, although they have not been completely remediated. We have identified an integrated accounting and financial reporting software package. We anticipate that the implementation of this system will take approximately 60 days. We have also hired David J. Kornder to serve as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kornder has substantial experience acting as Chief Financial Officer of public companies. We have begun recruiting additional accounting staff and have reached agreement with a new Controller who is scheduled to commence employment on May 1, 2007. Finally, we have continued with the documentation of accounting policies and procedures, although our limited accounting staff to date has restricted our ability to complete this task. We intend to accelerate this process significantly with the addition of our new CFO and staff.

The requirements of being a public company, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

When our common stock is publicly traded, we will need to comply with laws, regulations and requirements, including certain corporate governance provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations of the SEC and requirements of Nasdaq, with which we are not required to comply as a private company. Complying with these statutes, regulations and requirements will occupy a significant amount of the time of our Board of Directors and management. We will need to:

• institute a comprehensive compliance function;
• establish internal policies, such as those relating to disclosure controls and procedures and insider trading;
• design, establish, evaluate and maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

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• prepare and distribute periodic reports in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws;
• involve and retain outside counsel and accountants in the above activities; and
• establish an investor relations function.

If we are unable to accomplish these objectives in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies could be impaired, and we may be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities such as the SEC or Nasdaq. In addition, failure to comply with Section 404 or a report of a material weakness may cause investors to lose confidence in us and may have a material adverse effect on our stock price.


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Forward-looking statements

This prospectus contains ‘‘forward-looking statements’’ that represent our beliefs, projections and predictions about future events.“Exchange Act.” All statements other than statements of historical fact are ‘‘forward-looking statements’’,“forward-looking statements,” including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items, any statements concerning future commodity prices and their effect on the Company, any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new projects or other developments, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements of management’s beliefs, goals, strategies, intentions and objectives, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as ‘‘may’’, ‘‘will’’, ‘‘should’’, ‘‘could’’, ‘‘would’’, ‘‘predicts’’, ‘‘p otential’’, ‘‘continue’’, ‘‘expects’’, ‘‘anticipates’’, ‘‘future’’, ‘‘intends’’, ‘‘plans’’, ‘‘believes’’, ‘‘estimates’’“may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

These statements are necessarily subjective and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements described in or implied by such statements.  Actual results may differ materially from expected results described in our forward-looking statements, including with respect to correct measurement and identification of factors affecting our business or the extent of their likely impact, the accuracy and completeness of the publicly available information with respect to the factors upon which our business strategy is based or the success of our business.  Furthermore, industry forecasts are likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time and in relatively new and rapidly developing industries such as ethanol.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed under the headings ‘‘Risk factors’’, ‘‘Management’s discussion“Risk Factors” included in this prospectus and analysisunder “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial conditionFinancial Condition and resultsResults of operations’’, ‘‘Business’’Operations” included our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, and elsewhere in this prospectus.

prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

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Organizational structure

Incorporation of BioFuel Energy Corp.

BioFuel Energy Corp. wasthe risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in this prospectus or in the information incorporated as a Delaware corporation in April 2006. BioFuel Energy Corp. has not engagedby reference herein occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any businessforward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we disclaim all responsibility to publicly update any information contained in a forward-looking statement or other activities except in connection with its formationany forward-looking statement and its holdingtherefore disclaim any resulting liability for potentially related damages.  To the extent that any facts or events arising after the date of intereststhis prospectus, individually or in the LLC. Immediately prioraggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information presented in this prospectus, this prospectus will be updated to the consummationextent required by law to contain all material information.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
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Use of Proceeds
Assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the certificate of incorporation of BioFuel Energy Corp. will be amended and restated so that it:

• authorizes two classes of common stock, common stock and Class B common stock, having the terms described in ‘‘Description of capital stock’’. The Class B common stock, shares of which will be held only by members of the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), provides its holders with no economic rights but entitles each holder to a number of votes as described in ‘‘Description of capital stock — Common stock — Class B common stock’’; and
• entitles the members of the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) to exchange their membership interests for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. See ‘‘Certain relationships and related party transactions — Amended BioFuel Energy, LLC limited liability company agreement’’. If a holder of Class B common stock exchanges any membership interests in the LLC for shares of common stock, the shares of Class B common stock held by such holder and attributable to the exchanged LLC membership interests will automatically be transferred to BioFuel Energy Corp. and be retired.

Recapitalization

Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, the LLC will amend and restate its limited liability company agreement to replace the various classes of its existing membership interests with a single class of membership interests. As partsize of the amendment and restatement ofBasic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the limited liability company agreement, BioFuel Energy Corp. will become the sole managing member of the LLC. Our historical LLC equity investors and BioFuel Energy Corp. will exchange their existing membership interests in the LLC for new membership interests in amounts to be determined in accordance with the existing limited liability company agreement and based on the initial public offering price of our shares of common stock issued in this offering. BioFuel Energy Corp. will amend and restate its certificate of incorporation to create two classes of common stock as described above and will issue a number of shares of common stock to Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. and Greenli ght Reinsurance, Ltd., the historical investors in BioFuel Energy Corp., equal to the number of membership interests held by BioFuel Energy Corp. in the LLC. In addition, BioFuel Energy Corp. will issue to each historical LLC equity investor shares of our Class B common stock, which will entitle each holder to a number of votes that is equal to the total number of shares of common stock issuable upon exchange of all of such holder’s membership interests in the LLC.

BioFuel Energy Corp. will contribute all of the net proceeds from this offering to the LLC, and the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of membership interests equal to the number of shares of common stock that BioFuel Energy Corp. has issued in this offering.

As a result of the transactions described above, whichBackstop Parties, we collectively refer to as the ‘‘recapitalization’’, immediately following this offering:

• BioFuel Energy Corp. will be the sole managing member of the LLC and, through the LLC and its subsidiaries, operate our business;
• our historical LLC equity investors will hold 18,231,956 shares of our Class B common stock and an equal number of membership interests in the LLC, and BioFuel Energy Corp. will hold 14,268,044 membership interests in the LLC (or 15,693,044 membership interests in the LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares);
• our public stockholders will collectively own 9,500,000 shares of our common stock (or 10,925,000 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares);

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• the historical investors in BioFuel Energy Corp. will collectively own 4,768,044 shares of our common stock; and
• our public stockholders will collectively have approximately 29% of the voting power in BioFuel Energy Corp. (or approximately 32% if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares) and our historical equity investors will have approximately 71% of the voting power in BioFuel Energy Corp. (or approximately 68% if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares). See ‘��Description of capital stock’’.

The diagram below depicts our organizational structure following this offering.

Holding company structure

BioFuel Energy Corp. will be a holding company and its sole asset will be a controlling equity interest in the LLC. As the sole managing member of the LLC, BioFuel Energy Corp. will operate and control all of the business and affairs of the LLC and its subsidiaries. BioFuel Energy Corp. will consolidate the financial results of the LLC and its subsidiaries and the ownership interest of the historical LLC equity investors in the LLC will be reflected as a minority interest in BioFuel Energy Corp.’s consolidated financial statements.

Pursuant to the amended limited liability company agreement of the LLC, BioFuel Energy Corp. will have the right to determine when distributions will be made to the members of the LLC and the amounts of any such distributions. If BioFuel Energy Corp. authorizes a distribution, such distribution will be made to the members of the LLC (1) in the case of a tax distribution (as described below), to the holders of membership interests in proportion to the amount of taxable income of the LLC allocated to such holder and (2) in the case of other distributions, pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective membership interests.


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The holders of membership interests in the LLC, including BioFuel Energy Corp., will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their proportionate shares of any net taxable income of the LLC. Net profits and net losses of the LLC will generally be allocated to its members, including BioFuel Energy Corp., the managing member, pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective membership interests. Because BioFuel Energy Corp. will own approximately 44% of the total membership interests in the LLC (or approximately 46% if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares), BioFuel Energy Corp. will generally be allocated approximately 44% of the net profits and net losses of the LLC (or approximately 46% if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares). The remaining net profits and net losses will generally be allocated to the other historical members of the LLC. These percentages a re subject to change, including upon an exchange of membership interests for shares of our common stock and upon issuance of additional shares to the public. The amended limited liability company agreement will provide for cash distributions to the holders of membership interests of the LLC if BioFuel Energy Corp. determines that the taxable income of the LLC will give rise to taxable income for its members. In accordance with the amended limited liability company agreement, we will generally intend to cause the LLC to make cash distributions to the holders of its membership interests for purposes of funding their tax obligations in respect of the income of the LLC that is allocated to them. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the net taxable income of the LLC allocable to such holders of membership interests multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in New York, New York (taking into account the nondeductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income).

BioFuel Energy Corp. does not intend to pay any dividends on its common stock. If, however, BioFuel Energy Corp. declares dividends on its common stock, the LLC will make distributions to BioFuel Energy Corp. in order to fund any dividends. If BioFuel Energy Corp. declares dividends, our historical LLC equity investors will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions pro rata based on their membership interests in the LLC.

Company history

BioFuel Energy Corp. was formed as a Delaware corporation in April 2006 as a holding company through which certain of our historical equity investors hold membership interests in the LLC. The LLC was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in January 2006.

BioFuel Solutions Delaware, our predecessor for accounting purposes, was formed in 2005 and held a minority interest in Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado until October 2005 when the remaining interest of Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado was acquired by BioFuel Solutions Delaware. In September 2006, BioFuel Solutions Delaware was contributed to the LLC and BioFuel Solutions Delaware was dissolved. The LLC, Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado and BioFuel Solutions Delaware have conducted all of our business to date.

To date, all of our activity has been focused on the acquisition of real property for our first two facility sites, commencing construction at these sites, arranging for approximately $390 million in equity and debt financing and entering into certain construction and operating agreements with respect to our first two facilities, as well as other site development activities related to our facilities under development. This prospectus includes the audited consolidated balance sheet of BioFuel Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, and related consolidated statements of loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from inception on April 11, 2006 through December 31, 2006, audited consolidated balance sheets of BioFuel Solutions Delaware as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and related consolidated statements of income (loss), members’ equity and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006, the year ended Dec ember 31, 2005 and from inception on January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, and the audited balance sheet of Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado as of October 31, 2005, and related statement of loss, members’ equity and cash flows from inception on January 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005.


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Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of 9,500,000the depositary shares offered in this rights offering and from the preferred membership interests offered in the LLC’s concurrent private placement, after deducting estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $                million.  We intend to, or will cause the LLC to, use the proceeds from the sale of securities in this offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment to, promptly upon consummation:  (i) first, pay off the Bridge Loan, which we estimate would use $      of the proceeds; (ii) second, pay off all indebtedness under the Loan Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2006, by and among the LLC and certain of the Backstop Parties and their affiliates (which we refer to as the “Subordinated Debt Agreement”), which we estimate would use $      of the proceeds; (iii) third, make the Cargill Cash Payment, which would use $2,800,829 of the proceeds; (iv) fourth, to pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, which we estimate would use $      of the proceeds; and (v) fifth, use the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes.

In the event that the Backstop Parties reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment (see “The Rights Offering—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Reduction by the Backstop Parties”) and, as a result, we do have sufficient proceeds from this rights offering and the concurrent private placement to pay off the Bridge Loan but do not have sufficient proceeds to both pay off all indebtedness under the Subordinated Debt Agreement and make the Cargill Cash Payment, then the Backstop Parties will have the option to cause us to use the proceeds remaining after the pay off of the Bridge Loan to make the Cargill Cash Payment before paying off any indebtedness under the Subordinated Debt Agreement.

Currently, we have approximately $19.4 million of outstanding indebtedness under our Bridge Loan, at an annual interest rate of 12.5%. The maturity date of the Bridge Loan is March 24, 2011. The proceeds of the Bridge Loan were used to repay in full all outstanding working capital loans under our Senior Debt Facility and to pay certain related fees and expenses. As of September 30, 2010, the LLC had $21.1 million outstanding under the Subordinated Debt Agreement, at a 5.0% annual interest rate compounded quarterly.  The maturity date of this debt is March 2015.  From September 25, 2006, the date the LLC and the subordinated debt lenders entered into the Subordinated Debt Agreement, through December 1, 2008, interest on the subordinated debt was payable at a 15.0% annual interest rate.  In January 2009, the LLC and the subordinated debt lenders entered into a waiver and amendment agreement to the Subordinated Debt Agreement.  Under the waiver and amendment agreement, effective December 1, 2008, interest on the subordinated debt began accruing at a 5.0% annual rate, a rate that will apply until the amounts owed to Cargill under the Settlement Agreement have been paid in full, at which time the rate will revert to a 15.0% annual rate.  As a result of our intended use of proceeds of this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment and the terms of the Cargill Letter (and assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties), we expect to pay off all of the indebtedness under the Subordinated Debt Agreement before or concurrently with the payment in cash or satisfaction by issuance of depositary shares of all amounts owed under the Settlement Agreement.

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Market Price and Dividends on Common Stock
Market Information
We completed an initial public offering of shares of our common stock in this offering will approximate $147 million ($170 million ifJune 2007.  Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Market under the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting underwriting discountssymbol “BIOF.”  The following table sets forth the high and our estimated offering expenses. This estimate assumes a public offeringlow closing prices for the common stock as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market for the quarterly periods indicated.  These prices do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions.
Year ended, December 31, 2008 High  Low 
First Quarter $7.31  $3.82 
Second Quarter $4.96  $2.55 
Third Quarter $2.67  $0.54 
Fourth Quarter $0.73  $0.31 

Year ended December 31, 2009 High  Low 
First Quarter $0.47  $0.26 
Second Quarter $1.45  $0.25 
Third Quarter $0.77  $0.57 
Fourth Quarter $3.77  $0.84 
Year ending December 31, 2010 High  Low 
First Quarter $4.13  $2.75 
Second Quarter $3.14  $1.33 
Third Quarter $2.22  $1.10 

On November 12, 2010, the closing price of $17.00 per share, whichour common stock was $2.11.  On November 12, 2010, there were approximately 34 shareholders of record of our common stock and 12 shareholders of record of our class B common stock. We believe the number of beneficial owners is substantially greater than the mid-pointnumber of the offering price range indicated on the cover of this prospectus. Each $1 increase (decrease) in the public offering price per share would increase (decrease) our net proceeds, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts, by approximately $9 million ($10 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).

We intend to use up to $50 million of the net proceeds to repay all outstanding subordinated debt.  Upon consummation of this offering and any such repayment, we will permanently terminate the subordinated loan agreement.

We expect that all remaining proceeds will ultimately be used to fund the equityrecord holders because a large portion of the construction costsour outstanding common stock is held of our Alta plant.  However, prior to the time funds are required at Alta, we may use them to repay or defer borrowing under our bank construction loansrecord in broker “street names” for the Wood River and Fairmont plants.

We intend to borrow up to approximately $125 millionbenefit of additional debt to finance the remaining costs of construction of our Alta plant. As funds are required for the construction, we expect to borrow these funds under existing or subsequent bank facilities, which, in combination with proceeds from this offering and internal cash flow, would fund such expenditures.

Borrowings under our bank facility will bear interest at a variable rate based upon LIBOR or an alternate base rate, at our option, and will mature in 2014, assuming timely completion of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. Borrowings under our subordinated loan agreement will bear interest at an annual rate of 15.0% and will mature in 2015. See ‘‘Risk factors — We expect to incur a significant amount of indebtedness to construct our facilities, a substantial portion of which will be secured by our assets’’.individual investors. As of March 31, 2007, we had noNovember 12, 2010, there were 25,465,728 common shares outstanding, borrowings undernet of 809,606 shares held in treasury, and 7,111,985 class B common shares outstanding.

Dividend Policy
We have not paid any dividends since our bank facilityinception and $18 million of outstanding borrowings under our subordinated loan agreement.


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Dividend policy

We do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently anticipate that we will retain all of our available cash, if any, for use as working capital and for other general corporate purposes, including to service our debt and to fund the development and operation of our business. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors and will depend on many factors, including general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans, our financial results and condition, legal requirements and other factors as our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors deems relevant. In addition, our bank facilitySenior Debt Facility imposes restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries that will own our Wood River and Fairmont plants to pay dividends or make other distributions to us, which will restrict our ability to pay dividends.

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BioFuel Energy Corp. will beis a holding company and will havehas no material assets other than its ownership of membership interestsunits in the LLC. We intend to cause the LLC to make distributions to BioFuel Energy Corp. in an amount sufficient to cover dividends, if any, declared by us. If the LLC makes such distributions, our historicalthe holders of membership interests in the LLC equity investors(other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions from the LLC on their membership interests.units. To ensure that our public stockholders are treated fairly with the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), our historical LLC equity investors, our charter will requirecertificate of incorporation requires that all distributions received from the LLC, other than distributions to cover tax obligations and other corporate expenses, will be dividended to holders of our common stock. See ‘‘
Equity Compensation Plans
The information required by this item concerning equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain relationshipsBeneficial Owners and related party transactions — Amended BioFuel Energy, LLC limited liability company agreement’’Management and Related Stockholder Matters” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of tax distributions that may be made to member s of the LLC.

year ended December 31, 2009.
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Capitalization
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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of December 31, 2006:

• the capitalization and cash and equivalents of BioFuel Energy Corp. on an actual basis; and
• the capitalization and cash and equivalents of BioFuel Energy Corp. on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to the recapitalization and the issuance of shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $17.00 per common share (the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

September 30, 2010 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the application of the net proceeds therefrom (including the payoff of the Bridge Loan and the Subordinated Debt Agreement and the making of the Cargill Cash Payment and Cargill Stock Payment (assuming a per share value of our common stock used to determine the number of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Shares representing depositary shares to be issued in satisfaction of the Cargill Stock Payment equal to $                   , which was the closing sales price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on                , the last trading day before the commencement of this rights offering)), after deducting the estimated fees and offering expenses.  Please see “Use of Proceeds.”  The following table does not give effect to the automatic conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock that will occur following the requisite stockholder approval.  The following table assumes that the size of this rights offering is not reduced by the Backstop Parties.

You should read this table in conjunctiontogether with ‘‘Usethe information under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of proceeds’’Financial Condition and ‘‘Management’s discussionResults of Operations” and analysis ofour unaudited interim consolidated financial conditionstatements and results of operations’’.


related notes and other financial information incorporated by reference herein from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010.
As of December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
BioFuel
Energy Corp.
Actual
BioFuel
Energy Corp.
Pro forma
as adjusted
Cash and equivalents$27,239$174,738
Total debt$        —$          —
Minority interest(1)74,02775,355
Stockholders’ equity(2):  
Preferred stock ($1.00 par value per share; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual; 5 million shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma as adjusted)
Common stock ($0.01 par value per share; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual; 100 million shares authorized and 14,268,044 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted)143
Class B common stock ($0.01 par value per share; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual; 50 million shares authorized and 18,231,956 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted)182
Additional paid-in capital26,953174,127
Deficit accumulated during development stage(1)(2,334)(3,662)
Total stockholders’ equity  24,619170,790
Total capitalization$98,646$246,145
  
As of September 30, 2010
 
  
Actual
  
As adjusted
 
  
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
Cash and equivalents $10,895  $  
Total debt  256,877     
Stockholders’ equity:       
Preferred stock (5.0 million shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding, actual; 5.0 million shares authorized and 2.0 million shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding, as adjusted)       
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share (100.0 million shares authorized and 26,275,334 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 100.0 million shares authorized and 26,275,334 million shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted)  262     
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share (50.0 million shares authorized and 7,111,985 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 50.0 million shares authorized and 7,111,985 million shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted)  71     
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost, 809,606 shares at September 30, 2010  (4,316)    
Additional paid-in capital  138,322     
Accumulated deficit  (79,513)    
Total BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders’ equity  54,826     
Noncontrolling interest  268     
Total equity  55,094     
Total capitalization $322,866  $  
(1)In conjunction with the closing of this offering, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $17.00 per share of common stock, the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus, the LLC would record a beneficial conversion charge of $4.6 million, which would result in a beneficial charge of approximately $1.3 million on a consolidated basis (based on our 28% ownership interest in the LLC). This non-cash charge will be reflected as an increase in minority interest, offset by a corresponding increase in the deficit accumulated during development stage.
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Selected Financial Data
Table
The selected financial data of Contents
(2)A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $17.00 per share of common stock (the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) each of cash and equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by $8.9 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The table above excludes the following:

• 370,950 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options that will be granted to certain of our employees and Directors upon consummation of this offering under our 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or our 2007 Plan, with a per-share exercise price equal to the initial public offering price;
• 78,310 shares of restricted stock that will be granted to our officers and employees upon consummation of this offering under the 2007 Plan;
• 22,500 shares of restricted stock that we intend to grant to our non-employee Directors upon consummation of this offering under our 2007 Plan;
• 2,528,240 shares of our common stock available for future grant under our 2007 Plan; and
• 1,425,000 shares of common stock that may be purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.

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Dilution

If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the per share initial public offering price of our common stock is in excess of the book value per share attributable to our historical equity investors. We calculate net tangible book value per share of our common stock by dividing our net tangible book value, which equals total book value of tangible assets plus minority interest less total liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding. Our pro forma net tangible book value at December 31, 2006, was $87.8 million, or $3.82 per share of our common stock, based upon 23,000,000 shares outstanding, which gives pro forma effect to the recapitalization and an assumed exchange of all outstanding units for shares of our common stock .

After giving effect to the sale of 9,500,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $17.00 per share (the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book valueBioFuel Energy Corp. (i) as of December 31, 2006, would have been approximately $236.7 million, or $7.28 per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $3.46 per share of our common stock to our historical equity investors,2009 and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $9.72 per share of our common stock to new investors, or approximately 57% of the offering price of $17.00 per share of our common stock. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional sh ares:


Assumed initial public offering price per share $17.00
Pro forma net tangible book value per share at December 31, 2006 before giving effect to the offering$3.82 
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering3.46 
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering 7.28
Dilution per share to new investors $9.72

Assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the underwriting discount2008 and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with the offering, a $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $17.00 per share would increase (decrease) the increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value attributable to this offering by $0.28 per share and the dilution to new investors by $0.72 per share and increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $0.28 per share.

The following table sets forth, on the same pro forma as adjusted basis as of December 31, 2006, the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total cash consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid by our historical equity investors and by new investors, at the initial public offering price of $17.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming that all our historical equity investors exchanged their membership interests in the LLC for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis:


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 Shares purchasedTotal considerationAverage
price per
share
 NumberPercentAmountPercent
 (dollars in millions, except per share)
Historical equity investors4,768,04414.7$27.010.0$5.65
Minority interest18,231,95656.181.330.14.46
New investors9,500,00029.2161.559.917.00
Total32,500,000100.0$269.8100.0 

The discussion and the table above assume no exercise of outstanding stock options. As of the date of closing of this offering, there will be options outstanding to purchase a total of 370,950 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the offering price. Assuming the exercise of all the outstanding options, there would be no dilution to new investors in net tangible book value per share.

If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, (1) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock would be approximately $7.64 and (2) the dilution to new investors in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share would be reduced to $9.36.

Assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with the offering, a $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $17.00 per share would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by new investors by $8.9 million and the total consideration paid by all stockholders by $8.9 million.


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Selected financial data

BioFuel Energy Corp. was formed in April 2006 to hold certain membership interests in BioFuel Energy, LLC, which was formed in January 2006 to build and operate our ethanol production facilities. BioFuel Energy Corp. has consolidated BioFuel Energy, LLC. BioFuel Solutions Delaware, which was formed in January 2005, is considered the predecessor to BioFuel Energy, LLC for accounting purposes. The following tables set forth certain consolidated financial data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The information presented wasyears then ended has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere inof BioFuel Energy Corp. incorporated by reference into this prospectus and (ii) as of September 30, 2010 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of BioFuel Energy Corp. incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

You should read the selected historical financial data in conjunction with the information included under the heading ‘‘Management’s discussion“Management’s Discussion and analysisAnalysis of financial conditionFinancial Condition and resultsResults of operations’’Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010, incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

  
Year Ended
December 31,
2008
  
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
  
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 
        
(unaudited)
  
(unaudited)
 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Statement of Operations Data            
Net sales $179,867  $415,514  $295,096  $312,031 
Cost of goods sold  199,163   404,750   298,911   318,336 
Gross profit (loss)  (19,296)  10,764   (3,815)  (6,305)
General and administrative expenses:                
Compensation expense  8,063   6,160   4,551   5,152 
Other expense  8,981   9,327   8,210   4,642 
Other operating expense  1,350   150       
Operating loss  (37,690)  (4,873)  (16,576)  (16,099)
Other income (expense):                
Interest income  1,087   78   74    
Interest expense  (5,831)  (14,906)  (12,036)  (8,061)
Other non-operating expense  (1,781)  (1)  (1)   
Loss on derivative financial instruments  (39,912)         
Loss before income taxes  (84,127)  (19,702)  (28,539)  (24,160)
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest  43,262   6,072   8,061   5,224 
Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. common shareholders $(40,865) $(13,630) $(20,478) $(18,936)
                 
Loss per share—basic and diluted attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. common shareholders $(2.65) $(0.57) $(0.87) $(0.75)
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares  15,419   23,792   23,418   25,411 
 

52

  
As of
December 31,
2008
  
As of
December 31,
2009
  
As of
September 30,
2010
 
        (Unaudited) 
     (in thousands)    
Balance Sheet Data         
Cash and equivalents $12,299  $6,109  $10,895 
Total current assets  46,865   53,593   55,428 
Property, plant and equipment, net  305,350   284,362   266,364 
Total assets  365,724   346,775   329,703 
Total current liabilities  38,157   40,830   46,428 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  226,351   220,754   218,377 
Total liabilities  270,965   268,880   274,609 
Noncontrolling interest  14,069   5,660   268 
BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders’ equity  80,690   72,235   54,826 
Total liabilities and equity  365,724   346,775   329,703 
53


The Rights Offering
The Subscription Rights
We believe thatare distributing at no charge to the results of operationsrecord holders of our predecessorcommon stock as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                        , the record date, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase depositary shares representing an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  Each subscription right will permit the holder of such right to acquire, at a rights price equal to $0.56, one depositary share under the basic subscription privilege and will also provide the holder of such right with an over-subscription privilege.
The subscription rights will be distributed pro rata to the holders of our common stock based on the number of shares of common stock held on the record date.  The number of subscription rights distributed to the holders of our common stock in this rights offering will be determined as described under “—Number of Rights; Number of LLC Purchase Privileges.”  Fractional subscription rights resulting from such pro rata distribution will be eliminated by rounding up to the nearest whole right. If you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, then we expect that DTC will distribute subscription rights to your nominee on your behalf.
Number of Rights; Number of LLC Purchase Privileges
The number of subscription rights distributed in this rights offering will be determined by dividing the Offering Size (as defined below) by $0.56.
The number of LLC purchase privileges granted in the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be determined by dividing the Private Placement Size (as defined below) by $0.56.
Rights Price
The rights price for this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement means $0.56, which was calculated pursuant to the Rights Offering Letter Agreement as the dollar amount equal to 25% of the average per share closing price of our common stock for the five trading days immediately following the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The rights price of $0.56 represents a significant discount to the market price of our common stock at the time of determination, but the rights price is not necessarily related to our book value, net worth or any other established criteria of value.  This rights price represented a                      % discount to the closing price of our common stock on                      .  You should not consider the rights price to be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.


(in thousands, except per share amount)BioFuel Solutions DelawareBioFuel Energy Corp.
 Inception on
January 1,
2005
through
December 31,
2005
Six months
ended June 30,
2006
Inception on
April 11,
2006
through
December 31,
2006
Selected income statement data:   
Advisory fees$1,044$                —$                —    
General and administrative expenses1543759,162    
Minority interest in BioFuel Energy, LLC  (6,818)    
Net income (loss)416(396)(2,334)    
Net loss per share – basic and diluted  (2,334)(1)
    
Selected cash flow data:   
Net cash flow provided by (used in):   
Operating activities22275(3,225)    
Investing activities(144)(363)(60,153)    
Financing activities22520790,616    
    
Selected balance sheet data
(at end of period):
   
Total current assets  27,708    
Property, plant and equipment, net  82,892    
Total assets  121,481    
Total current liabilities  19,818    
Total liabilities  22,835    
Minority interest  74,027    
Total members’ equity/stockholder’s equity  24,619    
Total liabilities and members’ equity/stockholder’s equity  121,481    
(1)This figure does not give effect to an anticipated stock split to effect the recapitalization, which will be determined based on the final offering price.

Tablethe fair value of Contents

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewheredepositary shares offered in this prospectus, particularly in ‘‘Risk factors’’.

Overview

rights offering or our common stock.  We are a development stage company whose goal iscannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not decline during or after this rights offering.  We also cannot assure you that you will be able to become a leading ethanol producer insell the United States. We are currently constructing two 115 Mmgy ethanol plants indepositary shares, or the Midwestern corn belt. In addition, we expect to commence construction of a third 115 Mmgy ethanol plant later this year. At each location, Cargill has a strong local presence and, directly or through affiliates, owns adjacent grain storage facilities. Three similar sites are being developed in anticipationcommon stock that you will receive upon the automatic conversion of the possible constructionSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares, purchased during this rights offering at a price that is equal to or greater than $0.56.

54

Aggregate Size; Offering Size; Private Placement Size
The “Aggregate Size” of additional plants. All six sites were selected primarily based on access to favorably priced corn as well as availability of rail transportationthis rights offering and natural gas. We ultimately expect to grow, at least in part, through acquisitions. However, in current market conditions, we believe it is more attractive financially to build rather than buy. We will continue to assess the build versus acquire trade-off as we consider initiating construction on one or more of our next three sites.

Upon completion of the recapitalization, which is described under ‘‘Organizational structure’’, weLLC’s concurrent private placement will be a holding company with no operationsan aggregate amount sufficient to (i) repay all amounts owed at the time of our own,consummation of this rights offering, including accrued and will beunpaid interest, under the sole managing member of the LLC, which will itself be a holding company and will indirectly own all of our operating assets. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus primarily reflect certain start-up costs, fees and expenses incurred by the LLC, the initial costs incurred in connection with the preparation for, and commencement of, construction of our Wood River and Fairmont ethanol facilitiesBridge Loan Agreement and the equity contributions received bySubordinated Debt Agreement, (ii) make the LLC. The financial statements of Bio Fuel Solutions ColoradoCargill Cash Payment and BioFuel Solutions Delaware contained elsewhere in this prospectus primarily reflect(iii) pay certain unrelated ethanol development activities conducted during 2005, as well as certain activities related to the development of our Wood Riverfees and Fairmont facil ities. We believe that the results of operations of our predecessor should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.

In September 2006, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions, and the LLC entered into a subordinated loan agreement with certain of our major stockholders, to fund the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. See ‘‘Description of indebtedness’’. We expect to incur additional indebtedness in connection with the construction of our Alta facility under development.

We have engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, contracts with TIC for the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont ethanol plants pursuant to which the timely construction and performance of the two plants is guaranteed by TIC. Construction of both plants has begun, and as of December 31, 2006, we had invested approximately $46.8 million in the financing and construction of the Wood River plant and approximately $45.1 million in the financing and construction of the Fairmont plant. Spending on the actual construction of the Wood River and Fairmont plants (excluding related financing costs) is expected to total approximately $310 million. We currently anticipate that both plants will be completed and begin commercial operation during the first quarter of 2008 and will generate net cash inflows in 2008. If we encounter significant difficulties or delays in constructing our plants as described under ‘‘Risk Factors’’, our resul ts of operations and financial condition could be materially harmed. We may also be required to borrow additional funds to replace lost revenues in the event of such delay. Furthermore, if provisional acceptance of a facility does not occur by December 31, 2009, Cargill may terminate, or seek to renegotiate the terms of, its commercial agreements with us with respect to the relevant facility.


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Components of revenues and expenses

Total revenues

Our primary source of revenue will be the sale of ethanol. We will also receive revenue from the sale of distillers grain, which is a residual co-product of the processed corn and is sold as animal feed.

The selling prices we realize for our ethanol are largely determined by the market supply and demand for ethanol, which, in turn, is influenced by industry factors over which we have little if any control. See ‘‘Industry outlook’’.

Ethanol prices are extremely volatile. In early 2005, ethanol prices decreased due to a perceived over-supply of ethanol. During the summer of 2006, ethanol prices rose due to increased gasoline prices and legislative changes, resulting in an average realized price for the first six months of 2006 that was $0.56 per gallon higher than for the comparable period of the prior year. From September 2006 through April 2007, however, ethanol prices have declined from the levels prevailing in the summer of 2006. The ethanol Bloomberg rack price rose from $1.18 per gallon at April 29, 2005 to a high of $3.98 per gallon at July 3, 2006 and has subsequently declined to $2.36 at April 17, 2007. The following table provides information on ethanol rack prices for the periods shown.

Ethanol Rack Prices $/Gallon (September 12, 1997 — April 17, 2007)

Source: Bloomberg; U.S. average ethanol rack prices.

Cost of goods sold and gross profit

Our gross profit will be derived from our total revenues less our cost of goods sold. Our cost of goods sold will be affected primarily by the cost of corn and natural gas. Both corn and natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions as a result of weather, market demand, regulation and general economic conditions.

Corn will be our most significant raw material cost. In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins because ethanol producers are unable to pass along increased corn costs to customers. The price of corn is influenced by weather conditions and other factors affecting crop yields, farmer planting decisions and general economic, market and regulatory factors. These factors include government policies and subsidies with respect to agriculture and international trade, and global and local demand and supply. Historically, the spot price of corn tends to rise during the Spring planting season in May and June and tends to decrease during the Fall harvest in October and November. From November 18, 2005 to April 17, 2007, the spot price of corn has risen from $1.83 per bushel to $3.39 per bushel. The following table provides information on corn prices for the periods shown.


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Corn $/Bushel (April 17, 1997 — April 17, 2007)

Source: Bloomberg; Chicago No. 2 yellow corn spot prices.

We will purchase natural gas to power steam generation in our ethanol production process and fuel for our dryers to dry our distillers grain. Natural gas will represent our second largest operating cost after corn, and natural gas prices are extremely volatile. The following table provides information on natural gas prices for the periods shown.

Natural Gas $/Mmbtu (April 17, 1997 — April 17, 2007)

Source: Bloomberg; Henry Hub spot prices.

We will include corn procurement fees that we pay to Cargill in our cost of goods sold. Other cost of goods sold will primarily consist of our cost of chemicals, depreciation, manufacturing overhead and rail car lease expenses.

Spread between ethanol and corn prices

Our gross profit will depend principally on our ‘‘crush spread’’, which is the difference between the price of a gallon of ethanol and the price of the amount of corn required to produce a gallon of ethanol. Using our dry-mill technology, each bushel of corn produces approximately 2.7 gallons of fuel grade ethanol.

During the first half of 2006, the spread between ethanol and corn prices reached historically high levels, driven in large part by high oil prices and historically low corn prices resulting from continuing record corn yields and acreage, although the spread has since fallen back to $2.99 as of April 17, 2007. Any increase or decrease in the spread between ethanol and corn prices, whether as a result of changes in the price of ethanol or corn, will have an effect on our financial performance.


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The following graph sets forth the crush spread for recent periods and illustrates the impact of the volatility of corn and ethanol market prices on the crush spread.

Crush Spread $/Bushel (September 12, 1997 — April 17, 2007)

Source: Bloomberg; Chicago No. 2 yellow corn spot prices, U.S. average ethanol rack prices.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses will consist of salaries and benefits paid to our management and administrative employees, expenses relating to third-party services, insurance, travel, marketing and other expenses, including certain expenses associated with being a public company, such as costs associated with compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and listing and transfer agent fees.

Results of operations

We are a new company with no material operating results to date.

BioFuel Solutions Delaware is considered our predecessor for accounting purposes. The aggregate revenues of our predecessor from its inception through December 31, 2005 were $1,043,707 earned for development services provided in connection with ethanol projects that were unrelated to our planned business. There were no revenues earned by our predecessor in 2006. Costs incurred from inception through December 31, 2005 related to expenses incurred in connection with this rights offering and the initial developmentLLC’s concurrent private placement, but is subject to reduction as described under “—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Reduction by Backstop Parties.”  The Aggregate Size (subject to any such reduction) will be determined prior to commencement of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. Expenses incurredthis rights offering, will be included in 2006 were related primarilyan amendment to the development of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. We believe that the results of operations of our predecessor are not meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.

The LLC, which has been consolidated for accounting purposes by BioFuel Energy Corp., has been arranging financing for and initiating construction of our first two ethanol plants as well as development work on our planned Alta facility and our three additional plant sites. From its inception through December 31, 2006, the LLC incurred a loss of $9,151,306. This loss was primarily due to general and administrative expenses of $9,162,618,registration statement of which $7,712,371 was compensation. Compensation expense includesthis prospectus is a non-cash charge of $6,094,615 related to share-based payments awarded to our founderspart and certain key employees. These share-based payments include issuance of membership interests (considered profits interests under the LLC agreement and for tax puposes) which are requiredis currently anticipated to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles. Compensation expense also includesapproximately $44,000,000.

The “Offering Size” of this rights offering will be an amount equal to the Aggregate Size multiplied by a $550,000 payment made to a founder, who has since leftfraction, the LLC, for work performed in connection withnumerator of which is the formationtotal number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the LLC and initial financing.


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Liquidity and capital resources

Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities during the period from inception through December 31, 2006 are summarized below (in thousands):


Cash provided by (used in): 
Operating activities$(3,225
Investing activities(60,153
Financing activities90,616

Cash used in operating activities consisted primarily of compensation paid to our employees and expenses incurred by our corporate office. Expenditures incurred under investing activities relate primarily to the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont ethanol plants. Cash provided by financing activities consisted of proceeds of equity investments made by our historical equity investors less equity and debt issuance costs and distributions to certain owners of our predecessor company. We expect to fund the completion of our Wood River and Fairmont plants with our available capital resources as summarized in the following table:


December 31, 2006
(in thousands)
Cash and equivalents$27,239
Available under bank facility230,000
Available under subordinated loan agreement50,000
Available from tax increment financing5,961

Our principal sources of liquidity consist of cash and equivalents and available borrowings under our bank facility and our subordinated loan agreement. Our existing balance of cash and equivalents consists entirely of proceeds of equity investments made by our historical equity investors.

Our principal liquidity needs are expected to be the construction of our planned production facilities, debt service requirements of our indebtedness and general corporate purposes.

We believe that our cash and equivalents, the net proceeds of this offering and borrowings under our bank facility, together with certain tax incentive financing, will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for the next twelve months. We have sufficient cash or other means to fund our operations for the next 12 monthsrecord date and the costsdenominator of constructing our Wood River and Fairmont plants, but we are dependent onwhich is the proceedstotal number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the offering to fund the equity portion of the cost to construct our Alta plant under development.

Ethanol plant construction

We currently have two ethanol plants under construction and expect to commence construction of a third ethanol plant later in 2007. Furthermore, we have three additional sites in development in anticipation of the possible construction of additional plants. We estimate that total project costs to complete our two facilities under construction and our planned Alta facility will be approximately $565 million, of which we expect approximately $285 million and $171 million will be incurred during 2007 and 2008, respectively. We expect the remaining total project costs related to our Wood River and Fairmont plants, in the amount of approximately $260 million, to be funded through borrowings under our bank facility. We expect to fundrecord date plus the total project costs attributable to our Alta plant, in the amount of approximately $226 million, using the net proceeds from this offering, after repayment of subordinated debt, and borrowings u nder new or amended credit facilities. See ‘‘Use of proceeds’’.


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We have entered into a bank facility and a subordinated loan agreement in connection with the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. Upon completion of this offering, we intend to repay any outstanding borrowings under our subordinated loan agreement and permanently terminate the subordinated loan agreement. We intend to obtain additional debt financing for the construction of our Alta plant under development. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the required funding on terms acceptable to us or at all.

We expect to complete the construction of our Wood River facility in the first quarter of 2008. We have spent approximately $58 million on total project costs relating to the Wood River facility from May 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007. We expect to make additional capital expenditures in 2007 and 2008 of approximately $93 million in connection with the total project costs relating to our Wood River facility. We expect to complete the construction of our Fairmont facility in the first quarter of 2008. We have spent approximately $50 million on total project costs relating to the Fairmont facility from June 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007. We expect to make additional capital expenditures in 2007 and 2008 of approximately $113 million in connection with the total project costs relating to our Fairmont facility. To date, we have used the net proceeds of equity investments by our historical equity investors to finance the construction of the Wood River an d Fairmont facilities. As of March 31, 2007, no amounts were outstanding under our bank facility and $18 million was outstanding under our subordinated loan agreement.

Tax and our tax benefit sharing agreement

We expect that, as a result of future exchangesnumber of membership interests in the LLC forheld by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) as of the record date.

The “Private Placement Size” of the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be an amount equal to the Aggregate Size multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) as of the record date and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of common stock the tax basisoutstanding as of the LLC’s assets attributablerecord date plus the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) as of the record date.
The Aggregate Size will equal the Offering Size plus the Private Placement Size.  Assuming that from November 12, 2010 until the record date there are no changes in the total number of shares of common stock outstanding or the total number of membership interests in the LLC held by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), we expect the Offering Size to ourbe $34,394,435 and the Private Placement Size to be $9,605,565.
Concurrent Private Placement
General. Concurrent with this rights offering, the LLC will grant at no charge purchase privileges to the record holders (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) of membership interests in the LLC as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on               , the record date, to purchase a new class of preferred membership interests in the LLC (which we refer to as the “LLC’s concurrent private placement”).  Each LLC purchase privilege will permit the holder of such privilege to acquire, at a rights price equal to $0.56, one preferred membership interest in the LLC under the LLC basic purchase privilege and will be increased. These increases in tax basisalso provide the holder of such LLC basic purchase privilege with an LLC additional purchase privilege.  The LLC additional purchase privilege will result in a tax benefit to BioFuel that would not have been available but forentitle the future exchangesholder of the LLC purchase privilege to purchase an additional amount of preferred membership interests for shares of our common stock. These increases in tax basis would reduce the amount of tax that we would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases, and a court could sustain such a challenge.

We intend to enter into a tax benefit sharing agreement with our historical LLC equity investors that will provide for a sharing of these tax benefits between the company and the historical LLC equity investors. Under this agreement, BioFuel will make a payment to an exchanging LLC member of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that we actually realize as a result of this increase in tax basis. BioFuel and its common stockholders will benefit from the remaining 15% of cash savings, if any, in income tax that is realized by BioFuel. For purposes of the tax benefit sharing agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing our actual income tax liability to the amount of such taxes that we would have been required to pay had there been no increase in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of the LLC as a result of the exchanges and had we not entered into the tax benefit shar ing agreement. The term of the tax benefit sharing agreement will commence upon consummation of this offering and will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless a change of control occurs and we exercise our resulting right to terminate the tax benefit sharing agreement for an amount based on agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement.

Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge a tax basis increase, our historical LLC equity investors will not reimburse us for any payments previously made under the tax benefit sharing agreement. As a result, in certain circumstances we could make payments to our historical LLC equity investors under the tax benefit sharing agreement in excess of our cash tax savings. Our historical LLC equity investors will receive 85% of our cash tax savings, leaving us with 15% of the benefits of the tax savings. The actual amount and timing of any payments under the tax benefit sharing agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable and the amount and timing of our income. We expect that, as a result of the size of the increases of the tangible and intangible assets of the LLC attributable to our interest in the LLC, during the


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expected term of the tax benefit sharing agreement, the payments that we may make to our historical LLC equity investors could be substantial.

Bank facility

In September 2006, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $230 million bank facility with BNP Paribas and a syndicate of lenders to finance the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont plants. Upon completion of this offering, and subject to lender consent, borrowings under our bank facility may also be applied to our other ethanol plants under development. Neither BioFuel Energy Corp. nor the LLC is a party to the bank facility, although the equity interests and assets of our subsidiaries are pledged as collateral to secure the debt under the bank facility.

Our bank facility consists of $210 million of non-amortizing construction loans, which will convert into term loans amortizing in an amount equal to 6.0% of the outstanding principal amount thereof per annum and maturing in September 2014, if certain conditions precedent, including the completion of our Wood River and Fairmont plants, are satisfied prior to June 2009. The construction loans otherwise mature in June 2009. Once repaid, the construction loans may not be reborrowed in whole or in part.

Our bank facility also includes working capital loans of up to $20 million, a portion of which may be available to us in the form of letters of credit. The working capital loans will be available to pay certain operating expenses of the Wood River and Fairmont plants, or alternative plants, as the case may be, with up to $5 million becoming available upon mechanical completion of a plant, up to $10 million becoming available upon provisional acceptance of a plant and the full $20 million becoming available upon conversion of the construction loans to term loans. The working capital loans will mature in September 2010 or, with consent from two-thirds of the lenders, in September 2011.

Although the material conditions precedent to borrowing have been satisfied, our ability to borrow under our bank facility remains subject to the satisfaction of a number of additional conditions precedent, including provision of engineers’, market consultants’ and environmental reports and legal opinions, in each case satisfactory to the lenders. To the extent that we are not able to satisfy these requirements, we will not be able to borrow under the bank facility without obtaining a waiver or consent from the lenders.

The obligations under the bank facility are secured by first priority liens on all assets of the borrowers and a pledge of all of our equity interests in our subsidiaries. In addition, substantially all cash of the borrowers is required to be deposited into blocked collateral accounts subject to security interests to secure any outstanding obligations under the bank facility. Funds will be released from such accounts in accordance with the terms of the bank facility.

Interest rates on each of the loans under our bank facility will be, at our option, (a) a base rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (ii) BNP Paribas’s prime rate, in each case, plus 2.0% or (b) a Eurodollar rate equal to LIBOR adjusted for reserve requirements plus 3.0%. Interest periods for loans based on a Eurodollar rate will be, at our option, one, three or six months, or, if available, nine or twelve months. Accrued interest is due quarterly in arrears for base rate loans, on the last date of each interest period for Eurodollar loans with interest periods of one or three months, and at three month intervals for Eurodollar loans with interest periods in excess of three months. Overdue amounts will bear additional interest at a default rate of 2.0%.

The bank facility includes certain limitations on, among other things, the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens or encumbrances, declare or pay dividends or distributions, conduct asset sales or other dispositions, mergers or consolidations, conduct transactions with affiliates and amend, modify or change the scope of the projects, the project agreements or the budgets relating to the projects.


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We are required to pay certain fees in connection with our bank facility, including a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum on the daily average unused portion of the construction loans and working capital loans and letter of credit fees.

As of March 31, 2007, we had no outstanding balance under our bank facility.

For a more detailed description of our bank facility, see ‘‘Description of indebtedness’’.

Subordinated loan agreement

In September 2006, the LLC entered into a subordinated loan agreement with certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC. The subordinated loan agreement provides for up to $50 million of non-amortizing loans, all of which must be used for general corporate purposes, working capital or the development, financing and construction of our Wood River and Fairmont Plants. The entire principal balance, if any, plus all accrued and unpaid interest will be due in March 2015.

The payments due under our subordinated loan agreement are secured by the subsidiary equity interests owned by the LLC and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of the LLC’s subsidiaries. The guarantees are subordinated to the obligations of these subsidiaries under our bank facility.

Interest on outstanding borrowings under our subordinated loan agreement accrues at a rate of 15.0% per annum and is due on the last day of each calendar quarter. If an event of default occurs, interest will accrue at a rate of 17.0% per annum.

We are required to pay certain fees in connection with our subordinated loan agreement, including an initial aggregate fee of $2.5 million and takedown fees equal to 5.0% of the principal amount of each borrowing made under the subordinated loan agreement.

As of March 31, 2007, there was $18 million outstanding under our subordinated loan agreement. We expect to incur up to an additional $32 million in subordinated borrowings by May 31, 2007. Upon completion of this offering, we intend to repay any outstanding indebtedness under our subordinated loan agreement and permanently terminate the subordinated loan agreement. See ‘‘Use of proceeds’’.

Tax increment financing

We have entered into an arrangement with the City of Wood River pursuant to which the City of Wood River has issued approximately $6.0 million in tax increment financing notes, or TIF notes, maturing in 2021, and bearing interest at an initial rate of 7.85%, subject to reset every five years, based upon specified prevailing market rates. The subsidiary constructing our Wood River plant is obligated to service and repay the TIF notes through property tax payments we make to the City of Wood River over the fifteen-year term of the TIF notes. The amount of the property tax payments will be based on the value of our land and buildings in Wood River. The TIF notes are guaranteed by the LLC.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual obligations

The following summarizes our significant contractual obligations with respect to our Wood River and Fairmont plants, in thousands, as of December 31, 2006. No obligations relating to our Alta plant under development are reflected in the table because we have not yet entered into definitive agreements with respect to this plant.


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Type of obligation
(in thousands)
20072008200920102011ThereafterTotal
Construction contracts(1)$177,479$33,454$$$$$210,933
Operating leases(2)81110,12010,28410,28410,28477,177118,960
Capital lease obligation(3)503003003003007,7509,000
Minimum energy charges(3)503003003003007,7509,000
Puchase obligations(4)7722,1002,4002,4002,40038,70048,772
Loan commitment fees(5)3,643653,708
Minimum commissions(6)
Total contractual obligations$182,805$46,339$13,284$13,284$13,284$131,377$400,373
(1)We have entered into engineering, procurement and construction contracts covering the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont plants. The obligations reported are the remaining amounts payable under the existing contracts and include the retainage reported in our consolidated balance sheet. We are responsible for the construction of certain infrastructure outside the Wood River and Fairmont plants, such as a rail loop and rail connections, natural gas interconnect pipelines and grain elevator improvements. We expect to enter into contracts with respect to the construction of this infrastructure and do not anticipate the process will affect our scheduled production start dates.
(2)We have entered into agreements with Cargill to lease corn storage facilities adjacent to our Wood River and Fairmont plants. We expect to pay Cargill approximately $800,000 per year to lease each of these storage facilities provided the applicable corn supply agreement remains in effect.
(3)We have entered into an agreement for electrical service for our Fairmont plant under which we will pay, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007, a monthly facilities charge of approximately $25,000 and a minimum monthly electric service charge of $25,000 for the 30-year term of the agreement to cover the investment expected to be made by the utility in order to provide electrical service to the plant.
(4)We have corn supply agreements with Cargill for our Wood River and Fairmont plants under which we will pay Cargill minimum origination fees of $1.2 million annually for each plant.
(5)Under our bank facility we will pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum, payable quarterly, on the daily average unused portion of the facility. Under our subordinated loan agreement, we are required to pay takedown fees, at the time of borrowing, equal to 5.0% of the principal amount of each borrowing made under the subordinated loan agreement. The obligations are based on estimated timing of funding under the facilities, which we expect will commence in 2007.
(6)We have marketing agreements with Cargill for the ethanol and distillers grain that will be produced by our Wood River and Fairmont plants. Pursuant to these agreements we are required to pay a minimum commission to the extent either plant fails to produce 82.5 million gallons of ethanol or 247,500 tons of distillers grain for the twelve-month period beginning with the start of commercial operations and each anniversary thereafter. If the number of gallons of ethanol actually produced by a plant is less than 82.5 Mmgy, the minimum commission will be the deficiency multiplied by the average selling price of our ethanol during such period, multiplied by 1%. If the number of tons of distillers grain produced is less than 247,500 tons, the minimum commission will be equal to the sum of the deficiency applicable to dry distillers grain multiplied by $2/ton and the deficiency applicable to wet distillers grain multiplied by $3/ton. The deficiency volume applicable to dry and wet distillers grain will be determined based on the ratio of dry products to wet products produced at the relevant plant during the applicable year.

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Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

We will be subject to significant risks relating to the prices of four commodities: corn and natural gas, our principal production inputs, and ethanol and distillers grain, our principal products. In recent years, ethanol prices have been primarily influenced by gasoline prices, the availability of other gasoline additives and federal, state and local laws and regulations. Distillers grain prices tend to be influenced by the prices of alternative animal feeds. However, in the short to intermediate term, logistical issues may have a significant impact on ethanol prices. In addition, the anticipated sharp increase in distillers grain production as new ethanol plants become operational could significantly depress its price.

Higher corn prices will tend to result in lower profit margins, as it is unlikely that such an increase in costs can be passed on to ethanol customers. The availability as well as the price of corn are subject to wide fluctuations due to weather, carry-over supplies from the previous year or years, current crop yields, government agriculture policies, international supply and demand and numerous other factors. We estimate that corn will represent approximately 63% of our operating costs. Over the period from April 1997 through April 2007, corn prices (based on the CBOT daily futures data) have ranged from a low of $1.83 per bushel in July 2000 to a high of $4.48 per bushel in February 2007, with prices averaging $2.43 per bushel during this period. As of April 17, 2007, the CBOT spot price of corn was $3.39 per bushel.

Higher natural gas prices will tend to reduce our profit margin, as it is unlikely that such an increase in costs can be passed on to ethanol customers. Natural gas prices and availability are affected by weather, overall economic conditions, oil prices and numerous other factors. We estimate that natural gas will represent approximately 15% of our operating costs. The price of natural gas over the period from April 1997 through April 2007, based on the NYMEX daily futures data, has ranged from a low of $1.66 per Mmbtu in February 1999 to a high of $15.36 per Mmbtu in December 2005, averaging $4.88 per Mmbtu during this period. As of April 17, 2007, the NYMEX spot price of natural gas was $7.50 per Mmbtu.

To reduce the risks implicit in price fluctuations of the four principal commodities we will use or sell and variations in interest rates, we plan to continuously monitor these markets and to hedge a portion of our exposure. Specifically, when we can reduce volatility through hedging on an attractive basis, we expect to do so. It is unlikely that we will enter into material commodity hedging until production at our plants begins or is imminent. Thereafter, we currently anticipate hedging between 40% and 80% of our commodity price exposure on a rolling 12 to 36 month basis. This range would include the effect of intermediate to longer-term purchase and sales contracts we may enter into, which act as de facto hedges. In hedging, we may buy or sell exchange-traded commodities futures or options, or enter into swaps or other hedging arrangements. In doing so, we may access Cargill’s risk management and futures advisory services and utilize its trading capabili ties. It should be recognized that while there is an active futures market for corn and natural gas, the futures market for ethanol is still in its infancy and we do not believe a futures market for distillers grain currently exists. Consequently, our hedging of ethanol and distillers grain may be limited by the market.

We believe that managing our commodity price exposure will reduce the volatility implicit in a commodity-based business. However, it will also tend to reduce our ability to benefit from favorable commodity price changes. Finally, hedging arrangements expose us to risk of financial loss if a counterparty defaults. Furthermore, if geographic basis differentials are not hedged, they could cause our hedging programs to be ineffective or less effective than anticipated.

We will be subject to interest rate risk in connection with our bank facility. Under the facility, our bank borrowings will bear interest at a floating rate based, at our option, on LIBOR or an alternate base rate. Pursuant to our bank facility, we are required to hedge no less than 50% of our interest rate risk until all obligations and commitments under the facility are paid and terminated. Borrowings under our subordinated loan agreement bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 15%. As of March 31, 2007, we had no borrowings outstanding under our bank facility


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and $18 million of borrowings outstanding under our subordinated loan agreement. Consequently, a hypothetical 100 basis points increase in interest rates would not have any effect on our annual interest expense.

Summary of critical accounting policies

The consolidated financial statements of BioFuel Energy Corp. included in this prospectus have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Note 2 to these financial statements is a summary of our significant accounting policies, certain of which require the use of estimates and assumptions. Accounting estimates are an integral part of the preparation of financial statements and are based on judgments by management using its knowledge and experience about the past and current events and assumptions regarding future events, all of which we consider to be reasonable. These judgments and estimates reflect the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain and that affect the carrying value of our assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.

The accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that involve significant judgments and the most uncertainty. Changes in these estimates or assumptions could materially affect our financial position and results of operations and are therefore important to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements.

Recoverability of property, plant and equipment

We are in the process of making a significant investment in property, plant and equipment and will continue to make significant investments over the next several years. We are currently developing three ethanol production facilities. Two facilities are under construction, and we have acquired land options and are permitting the property on which up to four additional plants may be constructed. We evaluate the recoverability of property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our property, plant and equipment may not be recoverable.

Management must exercise judgment in assessing whether or not circumstances require a formal evaluation of the recoverability of our property, plant and equipment. If an impairment test is required, management must estimate future sales volume, prices, inflation and capital spending, among other factors. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties, and the measurement of the recoverability of the cost of our property, plant and equipment is dependent on the accuracy of the assumptions used in making the estimates and how these estimates compare to our future operating performance. Certain of the operating assumptions will be particularly sensitive to the development of the ethanol industry.

We have not recognized an impairment loss on any of our property, plant and equipment from our inception through December 31, 2006.

Share-based compensation

We account for the exchanges of equity instruments for employee services in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payments (‘‘SFAS 123R’’). For the period from inception of the LLC to December 31, 2006, we issued 425,000 Class M units, 2,103,118 Class C units and 676,039 Class D units to our founding members and key employees and recorded compensation expense of $6,094,615. To determine the amount of compensation expense associated with the issuance of these membership units, we engaged an independent valuation firm to assist in determining the estimated fair value of the Class M, C and D Units. The non-contemporaneous valuation of the membership units required an estimation of the fair value of the company’s total invested capital at each date the membership units were awarded to management. These estimates of the fair value of the company’s total invested capital were made by discounting projected cash flows through December 2014. These cash flows


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were based on estimates made by management of future sales volume, prices, inflation and capital spending requirements. The rates used to discount the cash flows at each valuation date were based on a projected weighted average cost of capital. The projected weighted average cost of capital required estimates of the required rates of return on equity and debt and projections of our capital structure. Once the fair value of the total invested capital at each valuation date was determined, it was allocated among our debt and equity holders through a series of call options. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to value these call options. The key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes calculation were the expected time to a liquidity event, the implied volatilities of comparable companies and the risk-free rate of return during the expected term of the options.

The amount of compensation expense recorded as a result of the issuance of equity membership units to members of management involved a significant number of estimates. Due to the uncertainties inherent in these estimates, the accuracy of the amount of compensation expense recorded is dependent on the accuracy of the assumptions used in making the estimates and how these estimates compare to the company’s future operating performance and our ability to raise debt and additional equity. Certain of the operating assumptions will be particularly sensitive to the development of the ethanol industry and the attractiveness of ethanol companies to the capital markets.

Inflation

Due to our lack of operating history, inflation has not yet affected our operating results. However, construction costs, costs of goods sold, taxes, repairs, maintenance and insurance are all subject to inflationary pressures and could adversely affect our ability to construct our planned ethanol production facilities, our ability to maintain our facilities adequately once built and our business and results of operations.


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Industry outlook

General

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane fuel that is produced from the fermentation of carbohydrates such as grains, starches and sugars. In the United States, ethanol is produced primarily from corn. It is used primarily as a gasoline additive to increase octane rating and to comply with air emissions regulations by reducing emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. The RFS mandated that ethanol comprise a minimum of 4.0 billion gallons of the U.S. fuel supply as of January 1, 2006, rising to 7.5 billion gallons in 2012. According to the RFA, ethanol is blended into 30% of the gasoline sold in the United States. Fuel blended with up to 10% ethanol, also referred to as E10 fuel, is approved for use by major motor vehicle manufacturers and is often recommended as a result of ethanol’s clean burning characteristics. Ethanol comprises up to 85% of E85 fuel. E85 fuel currently represents a relatively small portion of the U.S. gasoline sup ply. Approximately six million vehicles out of more than 200 million vehicles in the United States today are Flexible Fuel Vehicles, or FFVs, capable of using E85 fuel.

The ethanol industry has grown significantly over the last few years, expanding production capacity at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 20% from 2000 to 2006, according to the RFA. We believe the ethanol market will continue to grow as a result of its favorable production economics relative to gasoline, a shortage of domestic petroleum refining capacity, federally-mandated renewable fuel usage, favorable tax treatment, ethanol’s clean-burning characteristics and geopolitical and environmental concerns with petroleum-based fuels. Reasons for substantial growth prospects in the ethanol market include:

Favorable production economics

Based on data provided by the RFA, the costs ethanol producers incur in producing a gallon of ethanol currently are significantly lower than the costs refiners incur in producing a gallon of petroleum-based gasoline.

Blending benefits

Ethanol has an octane rating of 113, and is added to gasoline to raise the octane level of gasoline. Unblended gasoline typically has a base octane level of approximately 84. Gasolines blended with ethanol have typical octane ranges of 87 to 93 octane. Higher octane gasoline has the benefit of reducing engine knocking. Gasoline with higher octane typically has been sold at a higher price per gallon than lower octane gasoline.

Expansion of gasoline supply

By blending ethanol with gasoline, refiners can expand the volume of fuel available for sale. As a result, refiners can produce more fuel from a barrel of oil and expand their ability to meet consumer demand, especially when refinery capacity and octane sources are limited. According to the Energy Information Administration, between 1980 and 2005, petroleum refining capacity in the United States decreased approximately 5% while domestic demand increased approximately 21%. We believe that increased pressure on domestic fuel refining capacity will result in greater demand for ethanol.

Strong legislative and government policy support

In August 2005, the President signed the Energy Policy Act, which established the RFS. The RFS mandates minimum annual use of 7.5 billion gallons per year of renewable fuels in the United States by 2012. We believe that the RFS sets a floor on the amount of ethanol to be consumed. The RFS requires motor fuels sold in the United States to contain in the aggregate the following minimum volumes of renewable fuels in future years:


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YearRenewable
fuel usage
 (in billions of gallons)
20064.0
20074.7
20085.4
20096.1
20106.8
20117.4
20127.5

The Energy Policy Act also proposed a credit trading program to facilitate meeting the industry-wide renewable fuels requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule for issuing and trading the credits. In addition, the President and members of Congress have on numerous occasions expressed their support of the use of ethanol in major vehicles as a clean, renewable fuel to replace foreign crude oil and to diversify the U.S. fuel supply. Finally, many farm state legislators are extremely supportive of the ethanol industry due to its perceived favorable impact on corn prices and local employment and tax base.

Environmental benefits

Ethanol, as an oxygenate, reduces tailpipe emissions when added to gasoline. The additional oxygen in the ethanol results in a more complete combustion of the fuel in the engine cylinder, resulting in reduced carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Prior federal programs that mandated the use of oxygenated gasoline in areas with high levels of air pollution spurred widespread use of ethanol in the United States.

Favorable tax treatment

One factor contributing to ethanol’s attractive economics is the availability of a partial exemption from the federal fuel excise tax for ethanol blended fuels. We believe that ethanol’s favorable production economics, further enhanced by the blenders’ tax credit, will enable ethanol to comprise an increasingly larger portion of the U.S. fuel supply. The benefit of the blenders’ tax credit can be captured by refiners or passed on to consumers. Due to this credit, ethanol historically has traded at a per gallon premium to gasoline.

Replacement of MTBE

Because of their blend characteristics, availability and cost, ethanol and MTBE were the two primary additives used to meet the Clean Air Act’s oxygenate requirements. Because MTBE could be produced and blended with gasoline at the refinery and transported through a pipeline, it was initially the preferred oxygenate ingredient used by the petroleum industry in most reformulated gasoline. Before 2003, ethanol was used primarily as a fuel extender and octane enhancer, predominantly in the Midwest.

In recent years, health and environmental concerns have arisen from the discovery of the presence of MTBE, a suspected carcinogen, in ground water supplies. As a result, 25 states, including California, New York and Connecticut, have banned or significantly limited the use of MTBE. These states accounted for more than half of the MTBE consumed in the US. Product liability concerns regarding MTBE increased following passage of the Energy Policy Act, which did not contain limitations on product liability claims relating to MTBE use. As a result, refiners have been phasing out MTBE, creating additional demand for ethanol outside of the Midwest and California. Ethanol has served as a replacement for much of the MTBE volume eliminated because of its favorable production economics, high octane rating and clean burning characteristics.


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Geopolitical concerns

The United States is dependent on foreign oil. Political unrest and attacks on oil infrastructure in the major oil-producing nations, particularly in the Middle East, have periodically disrupted the flow of oil. Fears of terrorist attacks have added a ‘‘risk premium’’ to world oil prices. At the same time, developing nations such as China and India have increased their demand for oil. As a result, NYMEX oil prices ranged from $50 to $70 per barrel at times during 2005 and averaged above $60 a barrel during 2006 and 2007, reaching record highs above $78 a barrel during July 2006. As a domestic, renewable source of energy, ethanol can help to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil by increasing the amount of fuel that can be consumed for each barrel of imported crude oil.

Ethanol as a gasoline substitute

Automakers in the United States have been accelerating work on their E85 FFV programs, according to the American Coalition for Ethanol. Motorists may increasingly choose FFVs due to their lower greenhouse gas emissions, flexibility and performance characteristics. Future widespread adoption of FFVs could significantly boost ethanol demand and reduce the consumption of gasoline. Currently, however, only a small percentage of automobiles and gasoline stations in the United States are E85-compatible.

Supply of ethanol

The primary feedstock for ethanol production in the United States is corn. Proximity to corn supplies is a crucial factor in the economics of ethanol plants, as transporting corn is much more expensive than transporting finished ethanol product. As such, the ethanol industry is geographically concentrated in the Midwest based on the proximity to the highest concentration of corn supply. According to the RFA, approximately 79% of the ethanol produced in the United States comes from five Midwestern states, with the corn-rich state of Iowa alone possessing nearly 32% of the total U.S. ethanol capacity. In addition to corn, the ethanol production process requires natural gas or, in some cases, coal in order to power the facility and dry distillers grain.

Despite the geographic concentration, production in the ethanol industry remains fragmented. According to the RFA, while domestic ethanol production increased from 1.3 billion gallons in 1997 to 4.9 billion gallons in 2006, the top ten producers accounted for approximately 45% of the industry’s total estimated production capacity as of April 2007. More than 50 smaller producers and farmer-owned cooperatives, most with production of 50 Mmgy or less, generate the remaining production. Since a typical ethanol facility can be constructed in approximately 18 months from groundbreaking to operation, the industry is able to forecast capacity additions for up to 18 months in the future. As of April 2007, the RFA estimates that approximately 6.2 Bgpy of additional production capacity is under construction at 85 new or existing ethanol facilities. This estimate does not include our construction plans or certain expansion plans of other ethanol pr oducers, particularly Archer Daniels Midland Company, the largest domestic ethanol producer, which has announced plans to increase its production capacity by approximately 51% by mid-2008. As a result of this projected increase in production, the ethanol industry faces the risk of excess capacity. See ‘‘Risk factors’’.

Ethanol is typically either produced by a dry-milling or wet-milling process. Although the two processes feature numerous technical differences, the primary operating trade-off of the wet-milling process is a higher co-product yield in exchange for a lower ethanol yield. Dry-milling ethanol production facilities constitute the substantial majority of new ethanol production facilities constructed in the past five years because of the increased efficiencies and lower capital costs of dry-milling technology. Older dry-mill ethanol facilities typically produce between five and 50 Mmgy, with newer dry-mill facilities producing over 100 Mmgy and enjoying economies of scale in both construction and operating costs per gallon. According to the RFA, 82% of the ethanol production capacity in 2006 was generated from dry-mill facilities, with only 18% coming from wet-mill facilities.


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With the largest proportion of ethanol production, the Midwest is also one of the largest consumers of ethanol fuel in the United States. After California, which is the largest consumer of ethanol, Midwestern states such as Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio are the largest consumers of ethanol. Additionally, the state MTBE bans in Connecticut and New York have increased the ethanol consumption in these states. Various states have mandated ethanol use, including Minnesota, Ohio and Hawaii. These state policies require the use of ethanol above what is required by federal regulations, including the RFS.

Legislation

There have been various legislative incentives that have spurred growth in the ethanol industry. These incentives include:

Energy Policy Act

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the Renewable Fuels Standard that mandates minimum annual volumes of renewable fuel to be used by petroleum refiners in the fuel supply. The annual requirement grows from 4.0 billion gallons of renewable fuels mandated usage per year in 2006 to 7.5 billion gallons per year by 2012. The Energy Policy Act also removed the oxygenate requirements that were put in place by the Clean Air Act. The Energy Policy Act included anti-backsliding provisions, however, that require refiners to maintain emissions quality standards in the fuels that they produce, thus providing continued opportunities for ethanol.

Federal blenders’ credit

The federal government also supports ethanol by offering refiners and blenders volumetric ethanol excise tax credits, or VEETCs, that entitle them to $0.51 a gallon — $0.051 a gallon of gasoline for a 10% ethanol blend — tax credit against the excise tax they pay on gasoline. This tax credit was first implemented in 1979 and is scheduled to expire in 2010, unless otherwise extended. The federal VEETC incentives, which are intended to make refiners indifferent to the transportation and other costs of blending ethanol as opposed to other additives, support the refiners’ practice of supplementing gasoline with ethanol.

State and local incentives

Twenty-one states have implemented incentives to encourage ethanol production and use. These incentives include tax credits, producer payments, loans, grants, tax exemptions and other programs. Midwestern states have initiated most of the programs and policies to promote ethanol production and development. States on the East and West Coasts also are beginning to initiate ethanol production programs in connection with drives to construct ethanol plants in these states.

State legislation banning or significantly limiting the use of MTBE

In recent years, due to environmental concerns, 25 states, including California, Connecticut and New York, have banned, or significantly limited, the use of MTBE. Ethanol has served as a replacement for much of the discontinued MTBE volumes and is expected to continue to serve as a primary replacement product in the future for MTBE volumes that are removed from the fuel supply.

Federal tariff on imported ethanol

In 1980, Congress imposed a tariff on foreign produced ethanol, which typically is produced at significantly lower cost from sugar cane, to encourage the development of a domestic, corn-derived ethanol supply. This tariff was designed to prevent the federal tax incentive from benefiting non-U.S. producers of ethanol. The tariff is $0.54 per gallon and is scheduled to expire in January 2009. In addition, there is a flat 2.5% ad valorem tariff on all imported ethanol.


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Ethanol imports from 24 countries in Central America and the Caribbean Islands are exempt under the Caribbean Basin Initiative from the tariff. The Caribbean Basin Initiative provides that specified nations may export an aggregate of 7.0% of U.S. ethanol production per year into the United States, with additional exemptions from ethanol produced from feedstock in the Caribbean region over the 7.0% limit. In addition, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 1994, allows Canada and Mexico to import ethanol duty-free. Imports from the exempted countries may increase as a result of new plants under development.


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Business

Overview

We are a development stage company whose goal is to become a leading ethanol producer in the United States. We are currently constructing two 115 Mmgy ethanol plants in the Midwestern corn belt. In addition, we expect to commence construction of a third 115 Mmgy ethanol plant later this year. At each location, Cargill has a strong local presence and, directly or through affiliates, owns adjacent grain storage facilities. Three similar sites are being developed in anticipation of the possible construction of additional plants. All six sites were selected primarily based on access to favorably priced corn as well as availability of rail transportation and natural gas. We ultimately expect to grow, at least in part, through acquisitions. However, in current market conditions, we believe it is more attractive financially to build rather than buy. We will continue to assess the build versus acquire trade-off as w e consider initiating construction on one or more of our next three sites.

From inception, we have worked closely with Cargill, one of the world’s leading agribusiness companies. Cargill will handle corn procurement, marketing of ethanol and distillers grain and transportation logistics for our two initial plants under long-term contracts. In addition, they will lease us their adjacent grain storage and handling facilities. We expect to enter into similar agreements for our third plant. Finally, we will have access to Cargill’s risk management services, which we believe to be particularly attractive with regard to corn given their virtually unique position in that market.

The Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota plants are currently under construction and should be operational in the first quarter of 2008. Plans to construct a third plant in Alta, Iowa are being finalized and engineering and construction contracts relating to that facility should be finalized within 90 to 120 days. In the interim, site preparation in Alta will begin so that construction can proceed promptly once agreements are finalized. Sites in Gilman, Illinois, Atchison, Kansas and Litchfield, Illinois have been selected as the locations for possible additional plants. Land has been optioned and permit filings have begun at each of these sites.

Fixed-price, turnkey construction contracts are in place covering the Wood River and Fairmont plants with The Industrial Company, or TIC, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a leading industrial general contractor. We have a construction time slot confirmed and a preliminary agreement with TIC to build our Alta plant. Groundbreaking for the facility is currently expected late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of 2007. Technology for the Wood River and Fairmont plants is being provided by Delta-T Corporation of Williamsburg, Virginia, a company with extensive experience in ethanol process technology and plant operation. We have not yet reached a commercial understanding with Delta-T for using its technology at Alta. If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will need to engage an alternative technology firm for that plant before construction there can begin. Once complete, the initial three plants are expected to produce 345 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol and 1.1 million tons of distillers grain annually.


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The following table provides an overview of ethanol plants we have under construction or in development.


Under ConstructionUnder
Development
Additional Development Sites
Wood
River,
Nebraska
Fairmont,
Minnesota
Alta,
Iowa
Gilman,
Illinois
Atchison,
Kansas
Litchfield,
Illinois
Capacity115 Mmgy115 Mmgy115 Mmgy115 Mmgy115 Mmgy115 Mmgy
Rail transportationUnion
Pacific
Union
Pacific
CNCN and TPWUnion
Pacific
Norfolk
Southern
and BNSF
SiteOwned
OwnedOptionedOptionedOptionedOptioned
Construction startBegunBegunQ3/Q4 2007
Expected completionQ1 2008Q1 2008Q2 2009

Company history

In January 2005, Scott H. Pearce, our President and Chief Executive Officer, together with TIC and Delta-T, formed Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado, and throughout 2005 and early 2006, worked to develop plans for our Wood River and Fairmont plants. In January 2006, Mr. Pearce and Daniel J. Simon, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, together with Thomas J. Edelman, our Chairman and Chairman of the Board, and his partner Irik P. Sevin, co-founded BioFuel Energy, LLC to take over development and construction of the plants from Biofuel Solutions Delaware. In August 2006 we began construction of our Wood River plant, and in October 2006 we began construction of our Fairmont plant. In July 2006, we commenced development of our planned Alta plant and our additional development sites.

Competitive strengths

We believe that we have the following competitive strengths:

• Proven management.    Our senior management has an extensive and successful track record in the energy and natural resources sectors. Our Chairman, Thomas J. Edelman, has founded, led or played a significant role in managing more than half a dozen successful public and private energy companies over the past 25 years and will help assure us strong strategic, managerial and financial leadership. Most notably, these included Snyder Oil Corporation, Patina Oil & Gas Corporation and Range Resources Corporation, three oil and gas exploration and production companies. We believe that Mr. Edelman’s experience in developing, a cquiring and building companies in the energy field will help assure us strong strategic, managerial and financial leadership. In addition, Mr. Edelman has extensive experience in selling companies, parts of businesses and specific properties owned by enterprises he has founded and run. Consequently, we may actively consider and regularly seek the possibility of a sale of one or more of our plants or plant sites if that could be accomplished at a favorable price. Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Scott H. Pearce, previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Poseidon Resources Corporation, a company that partnered with energy companies to build, own and operate water and environmental systems for large industrial and government clients. Our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Daniel J. Simon, has extensive senior management experience with a number of industrial and energy-related companies, including TIC. Messrs. Pearce and Simon both have significant expertise in industrial development and are therefore particularly well-suited to lead the development, construction and operation of our ethanol

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production facilities. Our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, David J. Kornder, has extensive senior management experience operating public energy companies. Our Vice President–Operations, Timothy S. Morris, brings significant leadership and experience in the operations and management of ethanol production facilities.
• Plant locations.    We have selected our plant locations based on an in-depth analysis designed to maximize profitability, particularly by minimizing the costs of corn, natural gas and electricity, and assuring adequate rail access. For example, the sites of our Wood River and Fairmont plants were selected by us with input from Cargill based on, among other factors, the surplus corn supply in the surrounding areas, as well as the availability of local acreage that may be converted to corn production as demand for corn increases. For these reasons, we expect the price of corn supplied to our Wood River and Fairmont plants to be materially lowe r than prevailing CBOT corn prices. We also expect that our Alta plant and additional sites under development will benefit from surplus corn supply and additional local acreage available for future corn production. Because geography is critical in siting ethanol plants, due to corn supply, access to ethanol and distillers grain markets and the ability of management to efficiently oversee multiple facilities, we believe opportunities to sell certain of our plants or plant sites, exchange them or buy those built by others are likely to arise. We intend to actively pursue such opportunities.
• Relationship with Cargill.    We have entered into a number of long-term contracts with Cargill, which will provide us access to corn supply, an extensive logistics and transportation network and an experienced marketer of ethanol and distillers grain. We will also have the opportunity to utilize Cargill’s risk management services. Cargill participates in almost every aspect of the corn industry in the United States, including operation of grain elevators, management of export facilities, transportation, ethanol production and livestock nutrition. Pursuant to 10-year ethanol marketing agreements and 10-year distillers grain marketing ag reements, Cargill has agreed to market 100% of the ethanol and distillers grain, respectively, produced at our Wood River and Fairmont facilities and, under 20-year corn supply agreements, has agreed to supply 100% of our corn for these facilities. For our additional plants under development, we expect to enter into similar contractual arrangements with Cargill for the supply of corn as well as for the logistics, transportation and marketing of our ethanol and distillers grain. In addition, Cargill has made an equity investment in our company. We are aware of only one other ethanol company with which Cargill has this type of commercial relationship. We believe that our relationship with Cargill will provide us with a number of competitive advantages:
• Reliable corn supply.    We expect to benefit from Cargill’s expertise in corn origination services and extensive experience with corn supply in the areas of our facilities. Pursuant to our corn supply agreements for our Wood River and Fairmont plants, Cargill will supply our corn requirements during the 20-year term of the contracts, regardless of local supply and demand. In addition, we have leased corn elevators from Cargill adjacent to each of the Wood River and Fairmont plants, providing us with significant corn storage and handling capacity.
• Logistics and transportation.    We believe that our access to Cargill’s expertise, through its extensive network of rail and trucking relationships and an array of logistical and scheduling tools, will minimize the risk of disruption or unexpected additional transportation costs for the delivery of corn and the transportation of the ethanol and distillers grain produced by our Wood River and Fairmont plants to our end markets.
• Ethanol and distillers grain marketing.    Because of Cargill’s significant historical experience marketing ethanol and feed ingredients, including distillers grain, Cargill will provide immediate access to a broad customer base. Under 10-year agreements,

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Cargill will be responsible for maintaining a continuous outlet for the marketing, sale and distribution of all ethanol and distillers grain produced by our Wood River and Fairmont plants, eliminating the need for us to hire marketing personnel. Under the terms of our agreements, we will receive the same average price for our ethanol that Cargill receives for all ethanol that it produces. In addition, we believe our relationship with Cargill positions us well with large end-users of ethanol due to the size and reliability of Cargill compared to other small ethanol marketers and producers that market ethanol directly or through other marketing channels.
• Risk management services.    We will have the opportunity to utilize Cargill’s comprehensive risk management platform to help manage our commodity risks relating to corn, ethanol and natural gas prices and may hedge through them.

We have entered into a letter agreement with Cargill with respect to our planned Alta plant and anticipate entering into long-term commercial agreements with Cargill for this facility similar to those described above.

• Close relationship with TIC.    We are one of TIC’s strategic ethanol accounts and have a priority relationship with them. We believe this will enable us to add new ethanol production capacity faster than many of our competitors. We believe that TIC is one of the largest heavy industrial contractor engaged in the production of ethanol facilities in the United States. Daniel J. Simon, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, formerly led TIC’s Renewable Energy Development subsidiary and co-founded and served as the executive sponsor of a joint venture between TIC and Delta-T. We have entered into EPC cont racts with TIC Wyoming, a subsidiary of TIC, for our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. We have received a committed project slot for our Alta plant under development, and we believe that our relationship with TIC will provide us access to additional construction slots as needed for future plant development. We believe this is a key advantage over our competitors that have not secured construction commitments for their announced capacity expansions.
• State-of-the-art production technology and operational scale.    We expect each of our plants will utilize state-of-the-art ethanol production technology designed to produce the highest corn-to-ethanol conversion yields in the industry today, in addition to higher throughput, lower production costs and higher operating efficiency than smaller and older plants, which currently comprise the vast majority of industry capacity. While the average size of an ethanol production facility in the United States, according to the Renewable Fuels Association, or RFA, is approximately 50 Mmgy, we expect each of our plants to generate 115 Mmgy, thereby gene rating significant cost efficiencies and other economies of scale. For example, the scale of our facilities will enable us to transport our ethanol with dedicated unit trains, which we believe is the most cost-effective method available to deliver ethanol to customers.

Strategy

• Become an industry leader.    We intend to become one of the nation’s leading producers of ethanol. We intend to achieve this through the construction of our Wood River and Fairmont plants, each of which will produce 115 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol, and the development and construction of an additional large-scale dry-mill ethanol facility in Alta, Iowa. We expect that when these three ethanol plants are fully operational, we will generate a total of 345 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol. We also have three additional sites under development and additional projects under evaluation that could further expand our ethanol production capacity. We e xpect to incur up to approximately $125 million in additional debt as funds are required to finance a portion of the costs of construction of our Alta plant under development. We also intend to further leverage our existing strong relationships with Cargill and TIC in our future plant development activities.

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• Dedication to cost control and efficiency.    We are developing and constructing our ethanol facilities with focus on minimizing cost inputs such as corn, natural gas and transportation. We have chosen the sites for our Wood River and Fairmont plants in part because of their access to significant local corn production, their proximity to competitive natural gas supplies and their access to transportation infrastructure, each of which we expect to keep costs lower than industry averages. Once our plants are operational, we will continue to promote a culture of cost control and efficiency regardless of the economic cycle. We will strive to be o ne of the lowest cost ethanol producers in the industry through the application of the latest technology, strict attention to cost efficiencies and, where appropriate, long-term contracts for the supply of inputs such as corn and natural gas.
• Evaluate alternative production technologies.    We will continually review new technological developments that could result in more efficient methods of ethanol production. We intend to maintain continued access to emerging ethanol technology. We believe that our sites will accommodate modifications to utilize alternative feedstock supplies or production technologies that may become available in the future, including ethanol from corn stover, cellulosic biomass and switchgrass.
• Flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities.    Because of the unpredictability of energy markets and commodity prices, we believe it is important to be prepared to respond quickly to strategic opportunities presented by changes in market conditions. We plan to maintain an appropriate capital structure that will enable us to respond to changing market conditions rapidly and opportunistically. While we believe that industry conditions are currently very attractive for domestic producers of ethanol, the energy business is often cyclical and there remains the possibility of a future downturn. We intend to be well-positioned to withsta nd and capitalize on opportunities presented by changes in industry conditions. We will focus on maintaining the flexibility to either build production facilities, make disciplined and opportunistic acquisitions or enter into strategic alliances or joint ventures, in each case based on market opportunities and industry conditions.
• Consider possible sales of plants or plant sites.    We believe that because of certain competitive advantages of our plants, particularly their locations, there may be opportunities to sell individual plants or plant sites on favorable terms under certain market conditions. Being dedicated to maximizing our stockholders’ returns, we expect to actively seek such opportunities on a regular basis and to consider the sale of one or more plants or plant sites, particularly if the resultant proceeds can be redeployed at a higher potential return elsewhere in our business. Mr. Edelman has extensive experience in buying and selling compan ies and/or their assets and senior management expects to actively seek and assess such opportunities.
• Risk management.    We intend to utilize risk mitigation techniques. We will seek to eventually hedge a majority of our corn and natural gas costs, as well as our primary product, ethanol. To this end, we will participate in the futures and derivatives markets and, where appropriate, enter into long-term purchase and sale contracts. By doing so, we expect to limit our exposure to commodity price fluctuations and reduce earnings volatility. We also will have the benefit of significant corn storage facilities, which should allow us to purchase and store corn opportunistically.

Facilities

Headquarters

Our corporate headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado, where we currently lease approximately 6,000 square feet of office space.


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Facilities under construction

The table below provides an overview of our Wood River and Fairmont ethanol plants, which are under construction.


 Wood River plantFairmont plant
LocationWood River, NebraskaFairmont, Minnesota
Expected date of completionQ1 2008Q1 2008
Annual ethanol production capacity (Mmgy)115115
Ownership100%100%
Production processDry-MillingDry-Milling
Primary energy sourceNatural GasNatural Gas
Estimated distillers grain production (dry equivalents) per year360,000 tons360,000 tons
TransportationUnion PacificUnion Pacific

Wood River plant

Our Wood River production plant is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2008 with an initial production capacity of 115 Mmgy. The plant will be located on an approximately 125-acre site owned by us approximately 100 miles west of Lincoln, Nebraska. The site is immediately adjacent to an existing Cargill grain elevator, which will be upgraded during the construction of the plant. The grain elevator will provide all required corn storage and handling capacity for the plant and, together with the site on which it sits, has been leased, effective upon provisional acceptance of the plant, from Cargill pursuant to a 20-year lease.

TIC is guaranteeing the timely construction and performance of the Wood River plant under a turnkey EPC contract pursuant to which TIC guarantees production of 110 Mmgy of anhydrous ethanol, which will equate to 115 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol. The contract provides for liquidated damages that are capped at 100% of the contract price until substantial completion of the facility and 30% of the contract price thereafter. Pursuant to our EPC contract, TIC has obtained a performance bond from three major insurance companies in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price in order to ensure that any such liquidated damages will be available to us. TIC has also provided a one-year warrantypreferred membership interests that the plant will be free of defects in parts and workmanship. We remain responsible for the construction of certain infrastructure outside the Wood River and Fairmont plants, such as a rail loop and rail connections, natural g as interconnect pipelines and grain elevator improvements. We expectholder was otherwise entitled to enter into contracts with respect to the construction of this infrastructure and do not anticipate the process will affect our scheduled production start date.

Our Wood River plant will transport ethanol primarily by rail and is adjacent to a rail mainline operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. A unit train loading facility (75-110 cars) will be constructed at the plant. The site is also readily accessible by road for transport of large equipment, supplies and products, and we may transport ethanol from the facility by truck, as needed.

Natural gas distribution to the site’s lateral pipeline will be provided from the Kinder Morgan Interstate Pipeline. We have entered into an agreement for the construction of the lateral gas pipeline to the plant. Electricity to the site will be provided by the City of Wood River. We will drill our own wells for water needed at our Wood River facility.

The Wood River plant is well-located for the sale of distillers grain. Because of the sizeable cattle herd in the area of Wood River, we estimate that up to 40% of the plant’s distillers grain


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will be sold in wet form, which will substantially reduce natural gas requirements. The remainder of the distillers grain sold from the plant will be dried distillers grain.

Fairmont plant

Our Fairmont production plant is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2008 with an initial production capacity of 115 Mmgy. The plant will be located on an approximately 200-acre site owned by us approximately 150 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The site is immediately adjacent to an existing Cargill grain elevator. The grain elevator will provide all required corn storage and handling capacity for the plant and, together with the site on which it sits, has been leased, effective upon provisional acceptance of the plant, from Cargill pursuant to a 20-year lease.

TIC is guaranteeing the timely construction and performance of the Fairmont plant under a turnkey EPC contract pursuant to which TIC guarantees production of 110 Mmgy of anhydrous ethanol, which will equate to 115 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol. The contract provides for liquidated damages that are capped at 100% of the contract price until substantial completion of the facility, and 30% of the contract price thereafter. Pursuant to our EPC contract, TIC has obtained a performance bond from three major insurance companies in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price in order to ensure that any such liquidated damages will be available to us. TIC has also provided a one-year warranty that the plant will be free of defects in parts and workmanship. We remain responsible for the construction of certain infrastructure outside the Wood River and Fairmont plants, such as a rail loop and rail connections, natural gas interconnect pipelines and grain elevator improvemen ts. We expect to enter into contracts with respect to the construction of this infrastructure and do not anticipate the process will affect our scheduled production start date.

Our Fairmont plant will transport ethanol primarily by rail and is adjacent to a rail mainline operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. A unit train loading facility (75-110 cars) will be constructed at the plant. The site is also readily accessible by road for transport of large equipment, supplies and products, and we may transport ethanol from the facility by truck, as needed.

Natural gas distribution will be provided to the plant’s lateral pipeline from the Northern Border Interstate pipeline. We have issued a limited notice to proceed and are in the process of finalizing an agreement for the construction of the lateral gas pipeline to the plant. Electricity to the site will be provided by Federated Rural Electric Association. Wells on the site will provide water needed at our Fairmont facility.

purchase.  We expect that substantially allthe record date, term and expiration date of the distillers grain sold from the Fairmont plant will be dried distillers grain.

Facilities under development

The table below provides an overview of our planned Alta, Iowa plant, as well as our additional development sites in Gilman, Illinois, Atchison, Kansas and Litchfield, Illinois. We have entered into a preliminary agreement with TIC regarding the construction of our planned Alta facility. Completion of this facility is contingent on permitting, financing and other factors. We plan to finance the costs of design and construction of the Alta plant using a portion of the proceeds of this offering and our excess cash flow as well as with the issuance of additional debt. Our Gilman, Atchison and Litchfield sites are in various stages of permitting and development. See ‘‘Risk factors — We may not be able to implement our strategy as planned or at all’’ and ‘‘Description of indebtedness’’.


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 Under DevelopmentAdditional Development Sites
LocationAlta, IowaGilman, IllinoisAtchison, KansasLitchfield, Illinois
Annual ethanol production capacity (Mmgy)115115115115
Ownership100%100%100%100%
Production processDry-MillingDry-MillingDry-MillingDry-Milling
Primary energy sourceNatural GasNatural GasNatural GasNatural Gas
Rail transportationCNCN and TPWUnion PacificNorfolk Southern
and BNSF
Expected construction start dateQ3/Q4 2007
Expected completion dateQ2 2009

Alta plant

We expect to construct a 115 Mmgy dry-mill plant located in Alta, Iowa, to be fueled by natural gas. Land options have been secured for the facility site covering approximately 212 acres. We have received a commitment from TIC to construct our Alta plant and anticipate entering into engineering and construction agreements within 90 to 120 days. We are evaluating alternative construction approaches with respect to construction of our Alta facility, including a design, bid, build approach and a traditional EPC approach. We will make our determination depending upon which approach allows us to optimize plant quality while controlling construction costs in a competitive construction environment. We have received an air permit and are currently engaged in the process of obtaining remaining permits. We have also completed a preliminary environmental Phase I analysis. We expect to enter into ethanol and distillers grain marketing agreements for our Alta plant with Cargill, a corn supply agreement with Cargill and corn storage agreement with a joint venture in which Cargill is a member, which collectively are similar to those we have entered into with respect to our Wood River and Fairmont plants.

The Alta site has been approved by the Iowa Department of Economic Development for an estimated $19.3 million in refunds of sales tax during construction, investment tax credits and local value-added property tax exemptions under the High Quality Jobs Creation program. We are in the process of negotiating the final documentation with Buena Vista County and the Iowa Department of Economic Development for this program.

The Canadian National Rail Road has approved our conceptual rail design for the Alta plant. This rail design will accommodate a 75-car unit train and has sufficient track to permit the Canadian National Rail Road to increase the unit train program to 100 cars.

We have evaluated electric service, natural gas supply, water supply and waste discharge for the Alta plant and believe that they can be obtained without material difficulty on commercially reasonable terms.

Gilman site

We are developing a site in Gilman, Illinois for the potential future construction of a 115 Mmgy dry-mill plant to be fueled by natural gas. Land options have been secured for the facility site covering approximately 100 acres. We are currently engaged in the permitting process. We have also completed a preliminary environmental Phase I analysis.


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Atchison site

We are developing a site in Atchison, Kansas for the potential future construction of a 115 Mmgy dry-mill plant to be fueled by natural gas. Land options have been secured for the facility site covering approximately 140 acres. We are currently engaged in the permitting process.

Litchfield site

We are developing a site in Litchfield, Illinois for the potential future construction of a 115 Mmgy dry-mill plant to be fueled by natural gas . A land option has been secured for a 200-acre parcel that would serve as the site for this plant. We are currently engaged in the permitting process.

Upon commencement of construction of any of our plants in development, we would expect to enter into corn supply and ethanol and distillers grain marketing agreements with Cargill, similar to those we have entered into with respect to our Wood River and Fairmont plants.

Potential future facility sites and acquisitions

In addition, we expect to consider and evaluate additional projects from time to time. We also may consider purchasing existing ethanol facilities or plants in development if we believe such acquisitions would enhance our business or our strategic position in the industry. We also intend to evaluate opportunities to acquire additional ethanol storage or distribution facilities and related infrastructure.

Corn supply

Our Wood River and Fairmont facilities collectively will require approximately 82 million bushels of corn per year in order to produce the 230 Mmgy of expected ethanol output. During the last three crop years, approximately 1.1 billion bushels of corn were grown in the 125-mile radius surrounding our Wood River plant and approximately 2.4 billion bushels of corn were grown in the 125-mile radius surrounding our Fairmont plant.

Under our corn supply agreements, CargillLLC’s concurrent private placement will be the exclusive suppliersame as those of corn to our Wood River and Fairmont facilities for a periodthis rights offering.

Grant of 20 years, and has agreed to provide 100%LLC Purchase Privileges. All members of the plants’ corn requirements. Under the agreements, Cargill will deliver U.S. No. 2 yellow dent corn with maximum moisture of 15.0% and meeting other certain specifications. On a daily basis, Cargill will provide bid sheets reflecting the expected price levels required to purchase grain for the upcoming delivery period at each of the plants. We will pay the weighted average ‘‘basis’’ price paid by Cargill to purchase corn on our behalf, plus the applicable corn futures price then in effect and an origination fee.

We have also entered into concurrent 20-year leases of Cargill’s existing grain elevators at each of our Wood River and Fairmont sites. These elevators will provide sufficient corn storage capacity to service the plants at normal operating levels plus excess capacity to allow us to purchase corn opportunistically, for example, based on seasonality.

Our planned Alta facility will require approximately 41 million bushels of corn per year in order to produce the 115 Mmgy of expected ethanol output. During the last three crop years, a total of approximately 552 million bushels of corn were grown in the 75-mile radius surrounding our planned facility in Alta, Iowa.

Sales logistics

Both our Wood River and Fairmont ethanol plants will be located adjacent to a rail mainline operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. A railcar unit train loading facility handling 75 to 110 cars will be constructed at each of the plants. A 110-car unit train will hold approximately 3.3 million gallons of ethanol, roughly equivalent to nine days of ethanol production at each of these plants. We will have tank storage capacity to accommodate 10 days of ethanol production and 10 days of dried distillers grain production at each of these plants.


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Each of the Wood River and Fairmont ethanol plants will also have road access for delivery of ethanol and distillers grain by truck, as needed.

Under our ethanol marketing agreements and distillers grain marketing agreements with Cargill, Cargill will perform a number of logistics functions relating to the ethanol and distillers grain produced at our Wood River and Fairmont facilities, utilizing its extensive network of rail and trucking relationships. These functions will include arranging for rail and truck freight, bills of lading and scheduling pick-up appointments. Under the ethanol marketing agreements, we will be responsible for providing a minimum of 550 tank railcars to service these facilities, and under the distillers grain marketing agreements, we will be responsible for providing a minimum of 465 covered hopper railcars to service these facilities. In that regard, we have entered into 10-year leases for approximately 590 tank railcars and 475 hopper railcars from Trinity Industries Leasing Company.

Marketing arrangements

Ethanol marketing

We expect all of our ethanol to be sold to Cargill as our third party marketer and distributor. Cargill has established relationships with many of the leading end-users of ethanol products such as major oil companies and refiners, as well as independent jobbers, storage companies and transportation companies. Our ethanol will be ‘‘pooled’’ into a cooperative system whereby we will receive the average price of the ethanol sold for all producers in the marketing group, which includes all ethanol produced by Cargill in the United States.

Under our existing ethanol marketing agreements with Cargill, we have agreed to sell to Cargill, and Cargill has agreed to purchase from us, 100% of the fuel grade ethanol produced at our Wood River and Fairmont facilities, including as a result of any expansion of these facilities, for a period of 10 years. Except in the case of certain force majeure events, Cargill will be the exclusive marketer of the ethanol produced at these facilities. We have agreed to pay Cargill a commission for its ethanol marketing. Cargill will market and distribute our ethanol pursuant to a common marketing pool program, under which Cargill currently markets its own ethanol and ethanol for third parties. Each participant in the pool will receive the same price for its share of ethanol sold, net of freight and other agreed costs incurred by Cargill with respect to the pooled ethanol. Freight and other charges will be divided among pool participants based upon each participant’s ethanol volume in the pool ratherLLC (other than the location of the plant or the delivery point of the customer.

Under our arrangements with Cargill, we have the ability to opt out of the marketing pool described above. In order to opt out of the marketing pool, we would need to provide six-months notice prior to the date on which ethanol will first be delivered under the contract or any anniversary of that date, except that we may be obligated to participate in the pool for up to 18 months to the extent necessary to allow Cargill to fulfill contractual commitments to deliver ethanol from the pool. We will also have the ability to sell ethanol directly to end-customers on a long-term basis, using Cargill as an agent, and in the future we may do so if an attractive opportunity arises. In these circumstances, Cargill would continue to provide transportation and logistics services, would act as a contracting agent and would continue to be paid commissions by us. We will evaluate the desirability of selling ethanol directly to end-customers on an ongoing basis.

Distillers grain marketing

We expect all of our distillers grain to be sold to Cargill as our third party marketer and distributor. Our dried distillers grain will be primarily marketed nationally to agricultural customers for use as an animal feed ingredient. Due to its limited shelf life and high freight costs, our wet distillers grain will be sold to local agricultural customers for use as an animal feed ingredient.


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Under our existing distillers grain marketing agreements with Cargill, we have agreed to sell to Cargill, and Cargill has agreed to purchase from us, all of the distillers grain produced at our Wood River and Fairmont facilities for a period of 10 years. Except in the case of certain force majeure events, Cargill will be the exclusive marketer of the distillers grain produced at these facilities. We have agreed to pay Cargill a commission for its distillers grain marketing.

Our agreements with Cargill

Pursuant to the contracts described below, which we have entered into with Cargill with respect to each of our Fairmont and Wood River facilities, Cargill will provide each of these facilities with corn procurement services and ethanol and distillers grain marketing services, as well as management services in connection with the transportation of the ethanol and distillers grain. In addition, Cargill will provide corn risk management advisory services. We have entered into a letter agreement with Cargill with respect to our Alta plant in development and we anticipate entering into similar long-term commercial agreements with Cargill relating to this facility. The following is a summary of our agreements with Cargill.

Master agreement

In addition to the agreements described below, our relationships with Cargill with respect to our Wood River and Fairmont facilities are each governed by a master agreement. Each of these master agreements provides certain terms and conditions that apply to all of our agreements with Cargill with respect to the relevant plant. The master agreements contain a right of first negotiation in favor of Cargill in the event we subsequently acquire or construct additional ethanol facilities. Under this right, Cargill and we have agreed to negotiate in good faith for Cargill to provide all of the commercial arrangements covered by the agreements described below with respect to any additional facilities.

The master agreements allow for payments due and owing to each party under all of our agreements with Cargill to be netted and offset by the parties. Pursuant to the master agreements, if provisional acceptance of a facility does not occur by December 31, 2009, Cargill may, upon written notice, terminate the master agreement and all (but not less than all) the goods and services agreements with respect to the facility.

Corn supply agreements

With respect to each of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities, we have entered into a corn supply agreement with Cargill. These agreements have a term of twenty years from provisional acceptance of the relevant facility. Pursuant to the agreements, Cargill will be the exclusive supplier of corn to each facility. If Cargill fails to make a confirmed delivery, we are entitled to purchase replacement corn from third parties. Under the agreements, we pay Cargill the weighted average ‘‘basis’’ price paid by Cargill to purchase corn on our behalf, plus the applicable corn futures price then in effect. In addition, we pay an origination fee per bushel of corn that is delivered to the facility. While we are not required to purchase a minimum amount of corn, we are required to pay a set minimum origination fee for each contract year of $1.2 million per plant. Based on the production capacity of our plants and our intent to operate at full capacit y, we expect that our level of corn purchases will be in excess of the level below which this minimum fee obligation would be triggered.

Cargill will be in default under our corn supply agreements if it fails, under certain circumstances, to deliver corn on five occasions within any 12-month period, engages in certain acts of willful misconduct, is subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, fails to comply with any final and binding arbitration award rendered pursuant to the master agreements, fails to pay us any amounts due under the agreements within five days of receiving written notice from us of the failure to pay or permits the grain facility leases to expire or terminate. We will be in default if we fail to pay Cargill any amounts due under the agreements within 30 days of receiving written notice from Cargill of our failure to pay, engage in certain acts of willful


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misconduct, procure corn or an alternative feedstock from a third party except as permitted by the agreements, are subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, sell, lease, assign or otherwise transfer the Wood River of Fairmont plant or any rights in the corn supply or marketing agreements or grain facility leases related to those plants to a third party except as permitted by the agreements between Cargill and us, permit the grain facility leases to expire or terminate or fail to comply with any final and binding arbitration award rendered pursuant to the master agreements. If a default occurs, the non-defaulting party may terminate the relevant corn supply agreement.

Grain facility leases

In addition, with respect to each of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities, we have leased Cargill’s grain facility, located adjacent to each plant, for the purpose of receiving, storing and transferring corn to each ethanol facility. Under each of these leases, which have an initial term of twenty years, the annual rental amount is $1.2 million and increases annually based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. The fees we pay to Cargill under the corn supply agreements are deemed to satisfy one-third of the rental amounts due under the leases for so long as the corn supply agreement with respect to a particular facility is still in place. Under the lease agreements, we are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the premises. We will be in default under the leases, and Cargill will have the right to terminate the relevant lease, if we fail to pay any rent or other amounts due to Cargill within 30 days following written notice that s uch amounts are due and payable, default in any non-monetary obligation under the lease and fail to cure such default within a specified time, become subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency or permit the relevant lease to be sold under any attachment or execution.

Ethanol marketing agreements

With respect to each of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities, we have entered into an ethanol marketing agreement with Cargill. These agreements have a term of ten years. Cargill will be the exclusive purchaser and marketer of the facilities’ ethanol production. In addition, Cargill will be responsible for the logistics and transportation relating to the marketing of the ethanol produced at our facilities and we will provide Cargill with at least 550 rail cars for the facilities. We have elected to participate in Cargill’s marketing pool program whereby a facility’s ethanol is marketed in a common pool with other ethanol under Cargill’s management and all pool participants receive the same net price for ethanol sold from the pool. We have the ability to opt out of such election with advance notice. We will pay Cargill a set commission of 1% on our net proceeds from ethanol sales, subject to minimum volumes of 82.5 Mmgy for each plant. I f the number of gallons of ethanol actually produced by a plant is less than 82.5 Mmgy, the minimum commission will be the deficiency multiplied by the average selling price of our ethanol during such period, multiplied by 1%. Our facilities must deliver ethanol in accordance with certain specifications, and Cargill takes title to the product at the inlet flange into railcars or tank trucks at our facilities. The agreements require Cargill to market our ethanol using the same standards that Cargill uses to market its own ethanol and all other ethanol that Cargill markets. Cargill may sell and market its own and/or third parties’ ethanol into the same markets in which it sells our ethanol. We have waived any claims of conflicts of interest against Cargill for failure by it to maximize the economic benefits of the agreement for us, but we may terminate the relevant ethanol marketing agreement if the conflict of interest results in a material quantifiable pecuniary loss to us. Cargill will have the author ity to make all final determinations regarding sales, strategy and marketing decisions for all ethanol; provided that we must consent to any sales agreement proposed to be entered into by Cargill with a term of more than 12 months.

Cargill will be in default if it fails, under certain circumstances, to purchase ethanol from our Wood River or Fairmont facility on three separate occasions in any 12-month period and as a result we are forced to suspend operations due to excess quantities of ethanol at the relevant facility, fails to pay us any amounts due under the agreements within seven days of receiving written notice from us of the failure to pay, engages in certain acts of willful misconduct or is


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subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. We will be in default if we fail to pay Cargill any amounts due under the agreements within seven days of receiving written notice from Cargill of our failure to pay, engage in certain acts of willful misconduct or are subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. If either Cargill or we are in default under the agreement, the non-defaulting party may terminate the agreement.

Distillers grain marketing agreements

With respect to each of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities, we have entered into a distillers grain marketing agreement with Cargill. These agreements have a term of ten years. Cargill will be the exclusive purchaser and marketer of the facilities’ distillers grain production. In addition, Cargill will be responsible for the logistics and transportation relating to the marketing of the distillers grain produced at our facilities. Cargill will purchase and take title to the distillers grain at the time it is loaded for transport at each plant. For dried distillers grain, we will pay Cargill a set commission equal to the greater of 3% of the sale price or $2.00 per ton, after transportation and storage costs. For wet distillers grain, we will pay Cargill a commission of $3.00 per ton. We are required to pay a minimum commission to Cargill to the extent either plant fails to produce 247,500 tons of distillers grain for the twelve-month period beginning wi th the start of commercial operations and each anniversary thereafter. If the number of tons of distillers grain produced is less than 247,500 tons, the minimum commission will be equal to the sum of the deficiency applicable to dry distillers grain multiplied by $2/ton and the deficiency applicable to wet distillers grain multiplied by $3/ton. The deficiency volume applicable to dry and wet distillers grain will be determined based on the ratio of dry products to wet products produced at the relevant plant during the applicable year. We must deliver distillers grain meeting certain specifications. Cargill has agreed to market our distillers grain using the same standards that Cargill uses to market its own distillers grain and all other distillers grain that Cargill markets. Cargill may sell and market its own and/or third parties’ distillers grain into the same markets in which it sells our distillers grain. We have waived any claims of conflicts of interest against Cargill for failure by it to maxim ize the economic benefits of the agreement for us, but we may terminate the relevant distillers grain marketing agreement if the conflict of interest results in a material pecuniary loss to us. Cargill will have the authority to make all final determinations regarding sales, strategy and marketing decisions for distillers grain under the agreement; provided that we must consent to any sales agreement proposed to be entered into by Cargill with a term in excess of 32 weeks or for quantities of dried distillers grain exceeding 25,000 tons or wet distillers grain exceeding 75,000 tons.

Cargill will be in default if it fails, under certain circumstances, to purchase distillers grain from our Wood River or Fairmont facility on three separate occasions in any 12-month period and as a result we are forced to suspend operations due to excess quantities of distillers grain at the relevant facility, fails to pay us any amounts due under the agreements within seven days of receiving written notice from us of the failure to pay, engages in certain acts of willful misconduct or is subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. We will be in default if we fail to pay Cargill any amounts due under the agreements within seven days of receiving written notice from Cargill of our failure to pay, engage in certain acts of willful misconduct or are subject to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. If either Cargill or we are in default under the agreement, the non-defaulting party may terminate the agreement.

Corn risk management services

We have entered into a futures advisory agreement with Cargill for each of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities. Pursuant to these agreements, which have initial terms of ten years, Cargill will provide us with its hedging and other risk management services for corn purchasing. Pursuant to the futures advisory agreements, we will pay Cargill a flat fee per bushel per calendar month based on the projected number of bushels of corn that are hedged. In addition, we have agreed to negotiate in good faith a performance incentive payable to Cargill prior to commercial operation of each facility.


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Additional agreement with Cargill

Cargill has made an equity investment in our company. Under the terms of an agreement with Cargill, Cargill has the right to terminate any or all of its arrangements with us for any or all of our facilities if any of five identified parties or their affiliates acquires 30% or more of our common stock or the power to elect a majority of our Board. Cargill has designated five parties, each of which is currently engaged primarily in the agricultural commodities business, and it has the right to annually update this list of designated parties, so long as the list does not exceed five entities and the affiliates of such entities. The five parties currently identified by Cargill are Archer Daniels Midland Company, CHS Inc., Tate & Lyle PLC, The Scoular Company and Bunge Limited.

Engineering, procurement and construction contracts and technology licenses

Engineering, procurement and construction contracts

Each of our first two facilities is being constructed by TIC—The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc., a subsidiary of TIC, a well-established industrial general contracting firm, under engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, contracts, utilizing an operations and process technology licensed from Delta-T Corporation, an experienced engineering and design firm in the ethanol industry. The contracts provide that provisional acceptance of each facility will occur within a specified number of days after we have given notice to proceed with all work and services under the relevant EPC contract. In the event that TIC does not achieve provisional acceptance or substantial completion of a facility within the required timeframe, weBioFuel Energy Corp.) will be entitled to receive liquidated damages from TIC. Under certain circumstances, wethe LLC purchase privileges.  The LLC purchase privileges will pay an early completion bonus to TIC for every day that substantial completion is achieved priorbe granted pro rata to the scheduled date. The EPC contract s include customary default, cure and termination provisions.

TIC is guaranteeing the timely construction and performanceholders of the Fairmont and Wood River plants under turnkey EPC contracts pursuant to which TIC guarantees production of 110 Mmgy of anhydrous ethanol, which will equate to 115 Mmgy of fuel grade ethanol at each plant. The contracts provide for liquidated damages that are capped at 100% of the contract price until substantial completion of the relevant facility, and 30% of the contract price thereafter. Pursuant to our EPC contracts, TIC has obtained performance bonds from three major insurance companies in an amount equal to 100% of each contract price in order to ensure that any such liquidated damages will be available to us. TIC has also provided a one-year warranty that the plants will be free of defects in parts and workmanship.

Delta-T technology licenses

In connection with each of the EPC contracts described above, Delta-T is granting to us limited licenses to use Delta-T’s proprietary technology and information in connection with the operation, maintenance, optimization, enhancement and expansion of each of our Wood River and Fairmont facilities up to the designed limits. Consideration for the licenses is built into the payments under the EPC contracts described above. If we terminate or materially breach one of the EPC contracts, the related license will automatically terminate. The licenses will also terminate upon termination of the relevant EPC contract for any reason other than the fault of Delta-T if the license fee has not been paid to Delta-T, provided that we will have the option to cure any such payment defaults to Delta-T and complete construction of the facility covered by the license.

Competition

The markets where our ethanol will be sold are highly competitive. According to the RFA, world ethanol production rose to 13.5 billion gallons in 2006. The United States and Brazil are the world’s largest producers of ethanol. According to the RFA, industry capacity in the United States was approximately 4.9 Bgpy in 2006, with an additional 6.2 Bgpy of capacity under construction as of April 2007. The ethanol industry in the United States consists of more than 100 production facilities and is primarily corn-based, while ethanol production in Brazil is primarily sugar cane-based.


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We will compete with Archer Daniels Midland Company, the largest ethanol producer in the United States. According to the RFA, as of April 2007, Archer Daniels had 1,070 Mmgy of current annual capacity, representing approximately 18% of total production capacity in the United States. Historically, Archer Daniels’ ethanol plants have used wet-mill technology with a focus on the co-products of ethanol production. Archer Daniels has announced that it intends to increase its ethanol production capacity by approximately 51% by mid-2008 through the construction of new dry-mill ethanol plants. According to the RFA, as of April 2007, the next nine largest domestic ethanol producers accounted for approximately 26% of domestic production capacity.

We also will compete with other large ethanol producers such as VeraSun Energy Corporation, ASAlliances Biofuels, Inc., Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc., Abengoa Bioenergy Corporation, US BioEnergy Corporation and Hawkeye Holdings Inc. One such competitor, ASAlliances Biofuels, Inc., has commercial arrangements in place with Cargill similar to ours and Cargill, through a subsidiary, has made an equity investment in that company. In addition, Cargill has announced plans to expand production at an existing ethanol facility by approximately 110 Mmgy and to develop four new 100 Mmgy ethanol plants in the Midwestern United States. A number of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. The industry is highly fragmented, with many small, independent firms and farmer-owned cooperatives constituting the rest of the mark et. We will compete with our competitors primarily on a national basis.

Ethanol is a commodity and as such is priced on a very competitive basis. We believe that our ability to compete successfully in the ethanol production industry depends on many factors, including price, reliability of our production processes and delivery schedule and volume of ethanol produced and sold. We expect to differentiate ourselves from our competition through continuous focus on cost control and production efficiency, pursuit of acquisition opportunities through our expertise in consolidation, aggressive hedging of market risk and by utilization of Cargill’s expertise in ethanol marketing and corn supply.

With respect to distillers grain, we will compete with other ethanol producers as well as a number of large and smaller suppliers of competing animal feed. We believe the principal competitive factors are price, proximity to purchasers and, especially, product quality. We expect to differentiate ourselves from our competition through high product quality, strategic plant locations and access to Cargill’s expertise in feed merchandising and corn supply.


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Ethanol production process

The dry-mill process of using corn to produce ethanol and co-products that we will implement at our plants is illustrated in the following chart and described below.

Step one: grain receiving, storing and milling

Corn is delivered by rail and by truck, at which point it is inspected, weighed and unloaded in a receiving building and then transferred to storage bins. On the grain receiving system, a dust collection system limits particulate emissions. Truck scales and a rail car scale weigh delivered corn. The corn is then unloaded to the storage systems consisting of concrete and steel storage bins. From its storage location, corn is conveyed to cleaning machines called scalpers to remove debris from the corn before it is transferred to hammermills or grinders where it is ground into a flour, or ‘‘meal.’’

Step two: conversion and liquefaction, fermentation and evaporation systems

The meal is conveyed into slurry tanks for processing. The meal is mixed with water and enzymes and heated to break the ground grain into a fine slurry. The slurry is routed through pressure vessels and steam flashed in a flash vessel. This liquefied meal, now called ‘‘mash’’, reaches a temperature of approximately 200ºF, which reduces bacterial build-up. The sterilized mash is then pumped to a liquefaction tank where additional enzymes are added. This cooked mash continues through liquefaction tanks and is pumped into one of the fermenters, where propagated yeast is added, to begin a batch fermentation process.

The fermentation process converts the cooked mash into carbon dioxide and beer, which contains ethanol as well as all the solids from the original corn feedstock. The mash is kept in a fermentation tank for approximately two days. Circulation through heat exchangers keeps the mash at the proper temperature.

Step three: distillation and molecular sieve

After batch fermentation is complete, the fermented mash, now called ‘‘beer’’, is pumped to an intermediate tank called the beer well and then to the columnar distillation tank to vaporize


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and separate the alcohol from the mash. The distillation results in a 96%, or 190-proof, alcohol. This alcohol is then transported through a system of tanks and sieves where it is dehydrated to produce 200-proof anhydrous ethanol. The 200-proof ethanol is then mixed with approximately 5% unleaded gasoline to prepare it for sale.

Step four: liquid — solid separation system

The residue corn mash from the distillation stripper, called ‘‘stillage’’, is pumped into one of several decanter type centrifuges for dewatering. The water, or thin stillage, is then pumped from the centrifuges back to mashing or to an evaporator where it is dried into a thick syrup. The solids that exit the centrifuges, known as ‘‘wet cake’’, are conveyed to the wet cake storage pad or the gas-fired rotary dryer for removal of residual water. Syrup is added to the wet cake. The result is wet distillers grain with solubles. The wet distillers grain is then placed into a dryer, where moisture is removed. The end result of the process is dried distillers grain.

Step five: product storage

Storage tanks hold the denatured ethanol product prior to being transferred to loading facilities for truck and rail car transportation. Our plants will each have approximately 3.1 million gallons of ethanol tank storage capacity, which will accommodate nine days of ethanol production per plant.

Co-products of ethanol production

Dried distillers grain with solubles.    A co-product of dry-mill ethanol production, dried distillers grain is a high-protein and high-energy animal feed that is sold primarily as an ingredient in beef and dairy cattle rations. Dried distillers grain consists of the concentrated nutrients (protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals) remaining after starch in corn is converted to ethanol. Over 85% of the dried distillers grain is fed to cattle. It is also used in poultry, swine and other livestock feed.

Our facilities will utilize the latest dried distillers grain production technology and produce high quality dried distillers grain, which commands a premium over products from older plants. This dried distillers grain will have higher nutrient content and will be more easily digested than other products produced from older plants.

Wet distillers grain with solubles.    Wet distillers grain is similar to dried distillers grain except that the final drying stage of dried distillers grain is bypassed and the product is sold as a wet feed containing 25% to 35% dry matter, as compared to dried distillers grain, which contains about 90% dry matter. Wet distillers grain is an excellent livestock feed with better nutritional characteristics than dried distillers grain because it has not been exposed to the heat of drying. The sale of wet distillers grain is usually more profitable because the plant saves the cost of natural gas for drying. The product is sold locally because of its limited shelf life and the higher cost of transporting the product to distant markets.

Carbon dioxide.    Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is also a by-product of our dry-mill ethanol production process. While the CO2 produced will most likely be of sufficient quality to be collected and sold, we do not currently plan to market our CO2. Currently, we plan to scrub the CO2 during the production process and release it to the atmosphere, which will be allowed under the air permits obtained for each of our facilities. However, our ability to release the CO2 into the atmosphere may be limited by laws or regulations in the future. See ‘‘Risk factors’’. In the future, we also may explore the possibility of collecting and disposing of or marketing the CO2.

Environmental matters

We are, and will be upon completion of our ethanol production facilities, subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials and the health and safety of our employees.


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These laws and regulations can require expensive pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit actual or potential impacts to the environment. A violation of these laws and regulations or permit conditions can result in substantial fines, natural resource damage claims, criminal sanctions, permit revocations and facility shutdowns. We do not anticipate a material adverse impact on our business or financial condition as a result of our efforts to comply with these requirements. We also do not expect to incur material capital expenditures for environmental controls in this or the succeeding fiscal year.

There is a risk of liability for the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination at each of the properties that we own or operate and at off-site locations where we arrange for the disposal of hazardous substances. If these substances have been or are disposed of or released at sites that undergo investigation or remediation by regulatory agencies, we may be responsible under CERCLA or other environmental laws for all or part of the costs of investigation or remediation and for damage to natural resources. We also may be subject to related claims by private parties alleging property damage and personal injury due to exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from these properties. Some of these matters may require us to expend significant amounts for investigation and/or cleanup or other costs. We do not have material environmental liabilities relating to contamination at or from our facilities or at off-site locations where we have transported or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances.

In addition, new laws, new interpretations of existing laws, increased governmental enforcement of environmental laws or other developments could require us to make additional significant expenditures. Continued government and public emphasis on environmental issues can be expected to result in increased future investments for environmental controls at our ongoing operations. Present and future environmental laws and regulations and related interpretations applicable to our operations, more vigorous enforcement policies and discovery of currently unknown conditions may require substantial capital and other expenditures. Our air emissions are subject to the federal Clean Air Act, the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and similar state and local laws and associated regulations. The U.S. EPA has promulgated National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, or NESHAP, under the federal Clean Air Act that could apply to facilities that we own or opera te if the emissions of hazardous air pollutants exceed certain thresholds. If a facility we operate is authorized to emit hazardous air pollutants above the threshold level, then we would be required to comply with the NESHAP related to our manufacturing process and would be required to come into compliance with another NESHAP applicable to boilers and process heaters. Although expected emissions from our plants are not expected to exceed the relevant threshold levels, new or expanded facilities would be required to comply with both standards upon startup if they exceed the hazardous air pollutant threshold. In addition to costs for achieving and maintaining compliance with these laws, more stringent standards also may limit our operating flexibility. Because other domestic ethanol manufacturers will have similar restrictions, however, we believe that compliance with more stringent air emission control or other environmental laws and regulations is not likely to materially affect our competitive position.

The hazards and risks associated with producing and transporting our products, such as fires, natural disasters, explosions, abnormal pressures, blowouts and pipeline ruptures also may result in personal injury claims or damage to property and third parties. As protection against operating hazards, we maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses. Our coverage includes physical damage to assets, employer’s liability, comprehensive general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation. We believe that our insurance is adequate and customary for our industry, but losses could occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. We do not currently have pending material claims for damages or liability to third parties relating to the hazards or risks of our business.

Employees

As of April 15, 2007, we had 19 full-time employees, who are responsible for our management and development. None of these employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We expect the number of our employees to increase significantly as we transition


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from construction of our ethanol facilities to operation of those facilities. Upon completion, each of our ethanol production facilities is expected to employ approximately 50 people.

Legal proceedings

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation and administrative proceedings that arise in the course of our business. We are not currently party to any legal proceeding.


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Management

Directors and executive officers

The following table identifies our executive officers and Directors who will be serving upon completion of this offering, and their ages as of April 15, 2007.


NameAgePosition
Thomas J. Edelman56Chairman and Chairman of the Board
Scott H. Pearce41President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
David J. Kornder46Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Daniel J. Simon37Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Timothy S. Morris47Vice President — Operations
JonAlan Page37Vice President — Project Development
Michael N. Stefanoudakis35Vice President and General Counsel
Eric D. Streisand36Vice President — Corporate Development
David Einhorn38Director
Daniel S. Loeb45Director
Alexander P. Lynch54Director

Each officer serves at the discretion of our Board of Directors and holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

The following sets forth certain biographical information with respect to our executive officers and Directors who will be serving upon completion of this offering.

Thomas J. Edelman co-founded BioFuel Energy, LLC and has been our Chairman and Chairman of the Board from inception. In 1981, Mr. Edelman co-founded Snyder Oil Corporation, or SOCO, serving as its President from 1981 to 1997. From 1988 to 2003, Mr. Edelman served initially as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Range Resources Corporation, a company he acquired for SOCO in 1988, later turning over his President and CEO titles to his then-deputy at the company. SOCO divested its interest in Range Resources in 1995. Mr. Edelman stepped down as Chairman of Range Resources in 2003, serving as an advisor to its board until mid-2006. In 1996, Mr. Edelman founded Patina Oil & Gas Corporation, serving as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until it merged into Noble Energy, Inc. in mid-2005. In 2000, Mr. Edelman co-founded Bear Paw Energy, LLC, a private natural gas gathering and processing company, serving as its Chairman until it was sold to Northern Borders Pipeline, LLC in 2001. In 2001, he co-founded Bear Cub Energy, LLC, a private successor to Bear Paw Energy also engaged in gas gathering, processing and the marketing of natural gas liquids.

From 1980 to 1981, Mr. Edelman was with The First Boston Corporation and from 1975 through 1980, with Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb Incorporated. Mr. Edelman received a BA from Princeton University and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Mr. Edelman has been a director of Noble Energy, Inc. since May 2005. He also serves as Chairman of Bear Cub Energy, LLC and of Berenson & Company, LLC, an independent investment banking firm.

Scott H. Pearce has been our President and Chief Executive Officer and Director since May 2006. In January 2005, Mr. Pearce co-founded Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado and Biofuel Solutions Delaware, the predecessor of BioFuel Energy, LLC. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Pearce was a


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Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning at Bank of America. In 1997, Mr. Pearce joined Poseidon Resources Corporation, a Warburg Pincus portfolio company that partnered with energy companies to build and operate water and environmental systems for large industrial and government clients, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2002. From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Pearce served in various leadership positions in the U.S. Army, including Cobra Helicopter Pilot and Attack Platoon Officer. Mr. Pearce attained the rank of captain. Mr. Pearce received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

David J. Kornder has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2007. Mr. Kornder served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Petrie Parkman & Co., Inc., an energy investment bank, from May 2006 until its acquisition by Merrill Lynch in December 2006 and as a consultant to Merrill Lynch until February 2007. Previously, Mr. Kornder served as a Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Patina Oil & Gas Corporation from 1996 through its acquisition by Noble Energy, Inc. in May 2005 and as a consultant to Noble Energy until May 2006. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President — Finance of Gerrity Oil & Gas Corporation, a predecessor of Patina, from 1993 through 1996. From 1989 through 1992, Mr. Kornder was Assistant Vice President of Gillett Group Manageme nt, Inc. and prior to 1989, he was with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Kornder received a BA in Accounting from Montana State University. Mr. Kornder serves as a Director of Bear Cub Investments, LLC, a private gas gathering and processing company.

Daniel J. Simon has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since May 2006. In 1999, Mr. Simon joined TIC Holdings, Inc., where he served as Director of International Development from 1999 to 2003 and as Vice President of International Business Development from 2003 to 2005. In 2004, Mr. Simon led TIC’s Renewable Energy Development subsidiary and co-founded and served as the executive sponsor of TIC’s joint venture with Delta-T. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Simon built and led the Technology Solutions Group in the Asia Pacific region and Western United States for NCH Corporation, which at the time was a public holding company with 34 industrial and maintenance related companies. Mr. Simon received a BS in Economics from the University of Colorado.

Timothy S. Morris has been our Vice President — Operations since February 2007. From January 2006 to February 2007, Mr. Morris served as Chief Executive Officer of American Ethanol, Inc., a private ethanol production company. From 2005 to January 2006, Mr. Morris was an independent consultant, providing operations management expertise to various companies in the ethanol and other continuous process industries. From 2002 to 2005, he served as Vice President of United Bio Energy, LLC, overseeing the operations of multiple ethanol plants. From 1993 to 2002, Mr. Morris served as Plant Manager for a wet corn ethanol facility of Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC. Between 1981 and 1993, he served in various capacities at Coors Brewing Company, Manna Pro Corporation and Cargill, Incorporated. Mr. Morris received a BS in Feed Science and Management from Kansas State Universit y.

JonAlan Page has been our Vice President — Project Development since May 2006. Mr. Page joined Messrs. Pearce and Simon at BioFuel Solutions, LLC in February 2005. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Page served as Vice President of Project Finance and Planning of Baard Energy, a company that develops ethanol plants. Following the sale by Baard of a majority interest in Nordic Biofuels of Ravenna, LLC to Abengoa Bioenergy in 2004, he served on the Board of Nordic Biofuels of Ravenna, LLC until February 2005. From May 2000 to February 2002, Mr. Page worked at Enron Corp. as a Director of the Transaction Group for Enron’s Western U.S. Origination and from 1998 to May 2000 he held a variety of other positions at Enron. From 1994 to 1997, he was with Banco Santiago. Mr. Page received a BA in Political Science and a BS in Latin American Studies from Oregon State University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Michael N. Stefanoudakis has been our Vice President and General Counsel since September 2006. In 2005, Mr. Stefanoudakis founded Candia Investments LLC, a private investment company, and has served as its President since then. From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Stefanoudakis was Vice


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President and General Counsel of Patina Oil & Gas Corporation. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Stefanoudakis was an associate with Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., focusing on corporate and securities matters. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Stefanoudakis was an associate with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, and from 1996 to 2000 he was an associate with Davis, Graham & Stubbs LLP. Mr. Stefanoudakis received a BA in Economics from the University of San Diego and a JD from Harvard Law School. Mr. Stefanoudakis is a member of the Colorado Bar.

Eric D. Streisand has been our Vice President — Corporate Development since August 2006. From 2002 to August 2006, he was a principal of Greenlight Private Equity Partners, L.P., an affiliate of Greenlight Capital, Inc., one of our principal stockholders. In 1999, he co-founded Signeta Holdings, a private equity-backed advertising company, and served as Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2001 and subsequently as President of Corporate Image, an acquisition target of Signeta Holdings. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Streisand worked at Seneca Capital Partners, a leveraged buyout firm focused on establishing consolidation platforms in a variety of manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Streisand began his career at McKinsey & Company Inc., where he worked from 1992 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 1998. He received a BA with honors in Applied Mathematics from Brown University and an MBA from Stanford University.

David Einhorn has been one of our Directors since May 2006. Since 1996, Mr. Einhorn has been the President of Greenlight Capital, Inc., one of our principal stockholders and an investment management company he co-founded. Mr. Einhorn received a BA in Government from Cornell University.

Daniel S. Loeb has been one of our Directors since May 2006. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Third Point LLC, one of our principal stockholders and an investment management company that he founded in 1995. He received an AB in Economics from Columbia University. He is currently a Director of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc., Massey Energy Company and American Restaurant Group, Inc.

Alexander P. Lynch has been one of our Directors since April 2007. Mr. Lynch has been a Managing Director of J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., a subsidiary of JPMorganChase, Inc., since July 2000. From 1997 to July 2000, Mr. Lynch was a General Partner of The Beacon Group, a private investment and financial advisory firm, which was merged with Chase Securities in July 2000. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Lynch was Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of The Bridgeford Group, a financial advisory firm, which was merged into the Beacon Group. From 1991 to 1994, he served as Senior Managing Director of Bridgeford. From 1985 until 1991, Mr. Lynch was a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers, a division of Shearson Lehman Brothers Inc. Mr. Lynch received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lynch will serve on the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Board structure

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors currently comprises seven members. At the consummation of this offering, we expect that our Board will comprise five members, one of whom will have been determined by our Board to be an independent Director according to the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq listing standards. Within one year following consummation of this offering, we anticipate having a majority of independent Directors on our Board.

Committees of the Board

Upon completion of this offering, our Board of Directors will conduct its business through three standing committees: the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of the Board of Directors when necessary to address specific issues.


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Under the applicable rules of Nasdaq, a company listing in connection with its initial public offering is permitted to phase in its compliance with the independent committee requirements set forth in Nasdaq Rule 4350(c) on the same schedule as it is permitted to phase in its compliance with the independent audit committee requirement pursuant to applicable SEC rules. Accordingly, a company listing in connection with its initial public offering is permitted to phase in its compliance with the independent committee requirements set forth in Nasdaq Rule 4350(c) as follows: (1) one independent member on each committee at the time of listing; (2) a majority of independent members on each committee within 90 days of listing; and (3) exclusively independent members on each committee within one year of listing.

Our audit committee, our compensation committee and our nominating and corporate governance committee will each initially be composed of one independent Director and two other Directors. Within 90 days following consummation of this offering, we expect to have two independent Directors who would both serve on these committees and comprise a majority thereof. We anticipate that these committees will be composed entirely of independent Directors as promptly as possible thereafter in accordance with the phase in schedule permitted by Nasdaq and SEC rules.

Audit committee

Initially, our audit committee will consist of three Directors, one of whom will have been determined by our Board of Directors to be an independent Director according to the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq listing standards, and at least one of whom will have been determined by our Board of Directors to be an ‘‘audit committee financial expert’’ as such term is defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC. Within 90 days following consummation of this offering, we anticipate that the audit committee will be comprised of a majority of independent Directors. As promptly as practicable thereafter, and in any event within one year following completion of this offering, we anticipate that the audit committee will be comprised entirely of independent Directors. The audit committee will have responsibility for, among other things:

• retaining, compensating, overseeing and terminating any registered public accounting firm in connection with the preparation or issuance of an audit report, and approving all audit services and any permissible nonaudit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm;
• receiving direct reports from any registered public accounting firm engaged to prepare or issue an audit report;
• reviewing and discussing annual audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;
• reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems and management’s response;
• discussing earnings releases, financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies;
• periodically meeting separately with management, internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm;
• establishing procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters;
• obtaining and reviewing, at least annually, an independent registered public accounting firm report describing the independent registered public accounting firm internal quality-control procedures and any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review of the independent registered public accounting firm or any inquiry by governmental authorities;
• approve and recommend to the Board of Directors the hiring of any employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm;

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• retaining independent counsel and other outside advisors, including experts in the area of accounting, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties; and
• reporting regularly to our full Board of Directors with respect to any issues raised by the foregoing.

Prior to the completion of this offering, our Board of Directors will adopt a written charter for the audit committee, which will be available on our website upon the consummation of this offering.

Compensation committee

Initially, our compensation committee will consist of three Directors, one of whom will have been determined by our Board of Directors to be an independent Director according to the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq listing standards. Within 90 days following consummation of this offering, we anticipate that the compensation committee will be comprised of a majority of independent Directors. As promptly as practicable thereafter, and in any event within one year following completion of this offering, we anticipate that the compensation committee will be comprised entirely of independent Directors. The compensation committee will have responsibility for, among other things:

• reviewing key employee compensation policies, plans and programs;
• reviewing and approving the compensation of our chief executive officer and the other executive officers of the company and its subsidiaries;
• reviewing and approving any employment contracts or similar arrangements between the company and any executive officer of the company;
• reviewing and consulting with our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer concerning performance of individual executives and related matters; and
• administering our stock plans, incentive compensation plans and other similar plans that the Board may from time to time adopt and exercising all the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors with respect to the plans.

Prior to the completion of this offering, our Board of Directors will adopt a written charter for the compensation committee, which will be available on our website.

Nominating and corporate governance committee

Initially, our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of three Directors, one of whom will have been determined by our Board of Directors to be an independent Director according to the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq listing standards. Within 90 days following consummation of this offering, we anticipate that the nominating and corporate governance committee will be comprised of a majority of independent Directors. As promptly as practicable thereafter, and in any event within one year following completion of this offering, we anticipate that the nominating and corporate governance committee will be comprised entirely of independent Directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee will have responsibility for, among other things:

• recommending to our Board of Directors proposed nominees for election to the Board of Directors by the stockholders at annual meetings, including an annual review as to the renominations of incumbents and proposed nominees for election by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies that occur between stockholder meetings; and
• making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding corporate governance matters and practices.

Prior to the completion of this offering, our Board of Directors will adopt a written charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee, which will be available on our website.


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Compensation committee interlocks and insider participation

None of our executive officers will serve as a member of our compensation committee, and none of them has served, or will be permitted to serve, on the compensation committee (or any committee serving a similar function) of any other entity of which an executive officer serves, or is expected to serve, as a member of our compensation committee.

Codes of conduct and ethics and corporate governance guidelines

Prior to the offering, our Board of Directors will adopt (1) a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our Directors, officers and employees and (2) corporate governance guidelines, each in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Prior to completion of this initial offering, the code of business conduct and ethics and the corporate governance guidelines will be available on our website.

Director compensation

Directors who are also full-time officers or employees of our company will receive no additional compensation for serving as Directors. All other Directors will receive an annual retainer of $30,000. Each non-employee Director will receive a fee of $2,500 for each Board meeting attended in person and $1,000 each committee meeting attended in person if such committee meeting is held on a day different than a Board meeting. In addition, the chairman of the audit committee will receive an annual retainer of $15,000 and the chairmen of the nominating and corporate governance committee and the compensation committee will each receive an annual retainer of $7,500. Effective upon and subject to completion of this offering, we plan to grant to each existing non-employee Director 7,500 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 5,000 shares of our common stock under our 2007 Plan. The exercise price per share of the stock options granted at the closing of th is offering will be the public offering price per share indicated on the cover of this prospectus. Non-employee Directors who join the Board after our initial public offering will receive 2,500 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock upon their appointment. All continuing non-employee Directors will receive an additional 2,500 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock immediately following the Annual Meeting of stockholders. All restricted stock and options granted to non-employee Directors will vest one year following the date of grant. Mr. Einhorn intends to assign his Director compensation to Greenlight Capital, Inc.’s affiliated funds and Mr. Loeb intends to assign his Director compensation to the Third Point funds.


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Compensation discussion and analysis

Objectives of our executive compensation program

The principal objectives of our current executive compensation program are:

• attract and retain experienced and well-qualified executives;
• recognize and reward the contributions each executive makes to our company; and
• motivate our executives to meet the short- and long-term objectives of the company.

We intend to continually evaluate and, if necessary, change from time to time our executive compensation program in order to ensure that it supports our business strategy, is competitive with the executive compensation programs of our peer group of companies and aligns the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders.

Elements of our compensation program

Our executive compensation primarily consists of base salary and broad-based benefits programs. We have also granted fully vested equity awards to our executive officers upon the commencement of their employment with the company. Following completion of our Wood River and Fairmont plants, our executives will also be eligible for cash bonuses.

We determined the specific amounts of compensation to be paid to each of our executives in 2006 based on a number of factors including:

• the roles and responsibilities of our executives;
• the individual experience and skills of, and expected contributions from, our executives;
• the amount of compensation generally paid by similarly situated companies to their executives with similar roles and responsibilities;
• the negotiations relating to the hiring of our executives; and
• the amounts of compensation being paid to our other executives.

Annual cash compensation

Base salary

We pay base salaries that we believe are competitive with similar positions at our peer group companies and that provide for equitable compensation among executives of our company. The base salaries of all executive officers will be reviewed annually and adjusted to reflect individual roles and performance as well as company performance. We may increase the base salary of an executive officer if a change in the scope of the officer’s responsibilities justifies such consideration or to reward executives for exceptional performance. We believe that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives.


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In 2006, we hired Thomas J. Edelman as our Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Scott H. Pearce as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel J. Simon as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, JonAlan Page as our Vice President – Project Development, Michael N. Stefanoudakis as our Vice President and General Counsel and Eric D. Streisand as our Vice President — Corporate Development. In 2007, we hired David J. Kornder as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Timothy S. Morris as our Vice President — Operations. The table below shows the current annual salaries of each of our executive officers.


Name and principal positionSalary
Thomas J. Edelman,
Chairman and Chairman of the Board
$275,000(1)
Scott H. Pearce,
President and Chief Executive Officer
$300,000(2)
David J. Kornder,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
$250,000(3)
Daniel J. Simon,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
$250,000(4)
Timothy S. Morris,
Vice President — Operations
$200,000(5)
JonAlan Page,
Vice President — Project Development
$175,000(6)
Michael N. Stefanoudakis,
Vice President and General Counsel
$225,000(7)
Eric D. Streisand,
Vice President — Corporate Development
$240,000(8)
(1)Mr. Edelman has received this salary since May 2006.
(2)Mr. Pearce has received this salary since May 2006.
(3)Mr. Kornder has received this salary since February 2007.
(4)Mr. Simon has received this salary since May 2006.
(5)Mr. Morris has received this salary since February 2007.
(6)Mr. Page has received this salary since May 2006.
(7)Mr. Stefanoudakis has received this salary since September 2006.
(8)Mr. Streisand has been employed since August 2006. Greenlight Capital, one of our stockholders, paid his salary through December 31, 2006.

Cash incentive bonuses

Following substantial completion of our Wood River and Fairmont plants, we intend to commence a program of annual cash bonuses for our executive officers. The target amounts of such bonuses will be a specified percentage of each executive officer’s annual salary, although the final amounts of any such bonuses will be subject to the approval of the Board or its compensation committee in their discretion. Pursuant to Mr. Pearce’s employment agreement, his target bonus will be 200% of his base salary, and pursuant to Mr. Simon’s employment agreement, his target bonus will be 175% of his base salary, in each case based on performance parameters established by the Board each year in consultation with the executive, provided that no bonus will accrue or be paid prior to the time that our first two ethanol plants have become


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operational. The bonuses are intended to reward executive officers for attaining company goals, to align our executives’ goals with our interests and the interests of our stockholders and to enable us to attract and retain highly qualified individuals. In 2006, no cash bonuses were paid to our executive officers.

Equity incentive compensation

In 2006 and 2007, we granted fully vested profit sharing membership interests in the LLC consisting(other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) based on the number of ‘‘C units’’, ‘‘D units’’ and ‘‘M units’’, to our executive officers in consideration for their services and in order to more directly align their economic interest with the performance of our company. See ‘‘Certain relationships and related party transactions—Issuances of equity interests to our promoters, executive officers, directors and principal stockholders’’ for details regarding the various issuances of profit sharing membership interests held by them on the record date.  The number of LLC purchase privileges granted to our executive officers.

the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) in the LLC’s concurrent private placement will be determined as described under “—Number of Rights; Number of LLC Purchase Privileges.”  Fractional LLC purchase privileges resulting from such pro rata distribution will be eliminated by rounding up to the nearest whole purchase privilege.


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Issuance of Preferred Membership InterestsImmediately prior to the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the LLC will amend and restate its limited liability company agreement to replaceadd the various classes of its existingpreferred membership interests withas a singlenew class of LLC membership interest.  Immediately following the consummation of the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the holders of membership interests andin the various classes of existing membership interestsLLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will be exchanged for newentitled to receive preferred membership interests in amounts to be determined in accordance with their exercise of LLC basic purchase privileges and LLC additional purchase privileges (and, in the existingcase of the Backstop Parties, determined in accordance with their exercise of the Backstop Commitment for preferred membership interests).  Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering, BioFuel Energy Corp. will contribute all proceeds of this rights offering to the LLC, and the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of preferred membership interests equal to the number of depositary shares that BioFuel Energy Corp. issued in this rights offering.  The LLC will then apply the proceeds of this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment as described under “Use of Proceeds.”  Concurrent with the making of the Cargill Stock Payment, the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of preferred membership interests equal to the number of depositary shares issued to Cargill in the Cargill Stock Payment.
Terms of Preferred Membership Interests. The preferred membership interests will (i) be automatically convertible as described immediately below, (ii) be entitled to pro rata distributions from the LLC, on an equivalent one-to-one basis with the membership interests, (iii) have a liquidation preference in the LLC equal to $0.56 per preferred membership interest and (iv) have only limited liability company agreementvoting rights in the LLC.  For a full description of the preferred membership interests, see “Description of Capital Stock— LLC Preferred Membership Interests; Amended and basedRestated Limited Liability Company Agreement.”
Conversion of Preferred Membership Interests. Following the requisite stockholder approval, all preferred membership interests will automatically convert into membership interests on a one-for-one basis and the initial public offering priceholders of ourthe preferred membership interests (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will also receive one share of class B common stock for each membership interest received upon conversion.
Purpose of LLC’s Concurrent Private Placement.  The LLC’s concurrent private placement has been structured so as to provide the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), who hold membership interests that are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of common stock, issuedwith a private placement that is economically equivalent to this rights offering.
Conversion of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
As described under “Description of Capital Stock—Description of the Depositary Shares,” each depositary share will represent a fractional interest in a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the fraction determined by dividing 2,000,000 by the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this offering. Upon completionrights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment.  Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each depositary share will be entitled to all rights and preferences of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock in proportion to the fraction of a share of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock such depositary share represents.

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As described under “Description of Capital Stock—Description of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock,” each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall, following the requisite stockholder approval, automatically convert into a number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000 (which we refer to as the “Conversion Rate”).  The requisite stockholder approval means that approval by the holders of our common stock and class B common stock of the authorization and issuance of all additional shares of common stock issuable (i) upon conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock at the Conversion Rate and (ii) upon the exchange on a one-for-one basis of all membership interests in the LLC that would be received by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) following the conversion of all preferred membership interests they receive in the LLC’s concurrent private placement for membership interests.  To the extent necessary, the requisite stockholder approval would also include the authorization of all additional shares of class B common stock issuable upon the conversion of all preferred membership interests received by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) in the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
As described under “Description of Capital Stock—Description of the Depositary Shares,” upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, each depositary share shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one share of common stock and, upon the distribution of one share of common stock to the holder of each such depositary share, each such depositary share shall be automatically cancelled and have no further value. The depositary will distribute the shares of common stock it receives upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to the holders of the depositary shares entitled to receive such distribution in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares held by each such holder, on the date of receipt or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Because the holders of depositary shares will not be entitled to receive shares of common stock until the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock for common stock, they will hold depositary shares and will have no direct rights with respect to our common stock until we receive the requisite stockholder approval.  Holders of the depositary shares must act through the depositary to exercise any voting rights in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and must receive any dividends or distributions in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock only through the depositary.  As a result, holders of the depositary shares will not have the right to vote on actions customarily subject to stockholder vote or approval, including the election of directors, the approval of significant transactions and amendments to our certificate of incorporation that would not adversely affect the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  In addition, the trading market for the depositary shares may be less liquid than the trading market for our common stock and the market price of the depositary shares may be adversely affected as a result.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Depositary Shares” for more information.
Basic Subscription Privilege
With your basic subscription privilege, you may purchase one depositary share per subscription right at a rights price per depositary share equal to $0.56, upon delivery of the required documents and payment of $0.56 prior to the expiration of this offering, certainrights offering.  You may exercise all or a portion of these unitsyour basic subscription privilege; however, if you exercise less than your full basic subscription privilege, you will not be placed into escrow and subjectentitled to an escrow arrangementpurchase shares pursuant to whichyour over-subscription privilege.  Under the escrowed units may be required to be delivered to affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC. For further details, see ‘‘Principal stockholders—BioFuel Energy, LLC limited liability company agreement&rs quo;’. Pursuant toRights Offering Letter Agreement, the escrow agreement, the executivesBackstop Parties have agreed, that they will not encumber the escrowed units.

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt our 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or the 2007 Plan, which will provide for the grant of stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance units and other equity-based or equity-related awards. Awards to executive officers under the 2007 Plan will be intended to attract and retain exceptional executive officers and enable our executive officers to participate in our long-term growth and financial success.

Our Board or our compensation committee will approve all awards under the 2007 Plan. Our decisions regarding the amount and type of equity incentive compensation and relative weighting of these awards among total executive compensation will be based on our understanding of market practices of similarly situated companies and negotiations with our executives in connection with their initial or continued employment by our company. Other factors, including the amount and percentage of our total equity on a diluted basis held by our executive officers, will also be considered.

Effective upon and subject to the consummationterms and conditions described under “—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Basic Commitment and Backstop Commitment,” to exercise their basic subscription privileges in full (subject to reduction in certain circumstances as described in therein).

We will deliver certificates representing depositary shares or (if you are a beneficial owner of this offering, we plan to grant 100,810 shares of restricted common stock and options to purchase an aggregate of 370,950 shares of our common stock that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee) credit your account at your record holder with depositary shares purchased with the basic subscription privilege as soon as practicable after the expiration of this rights offering.
Over-Subscription Privilege
If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege, you will be entitled to our employees and directors under our 2007 Plan.subscribe for additional depositary shares that remain unsubscribed as a result of any unexercised basic subscription privileges pursuant to your over-subscription privilege.  The exercise price per shareover-subscription privilege allows a holder to subscribe for an additional amount of depositary shares equal to up to 100% of the stock options granted atdepositary shares for which such holder was otherwise entitled to subscribe.  The Backstop Parties may exercise their over-subscription privileges in this rights offering.

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If there is a sufficient number of depositary shares available to fully satisfy the closingover-subscription privilege requests of this offeringall holders following the exercise of subscription rights under their basic subscription privileges, all over-subscription requests will be honored in full.  If insufficient depositary shares are available to fully satisfy the public offering price per share indicatedover-subscription privilege requests of all holders, the available unsubscribed depositary shares will be distributed proportionately among those holders who exercised their over-subscription privilege based on the covernumber of this prospectus. Stock options issueddepositary shares each holder subscribed for pursuant to their over-subscription privilege.  Fractional depositary shares resulting from the proportionate distribution of unsubscribed depositary shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege will be eliminated by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
If and to the extent that the Backstop Parties determine, after consultation with us, that the exercise of over-subscription privileges would result in connection with this offering will become exercisable with respectadverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to 30%, 30% and 40%us or any of the shares on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Restricted shares issued in connection with this offering will vest with respect to 25% per year on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date.

Although we encourage our executives to hold a significant equity interest in our company, we do not have specific share retention and ownership guidelines for our executive officers.

For further details regarding our 2007 Plan, see ‘‘—2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan’’.


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Other compensation

General benefits

All of our executive officers are eligible for benefits offered to employees generally, including life, health, disability and dental insurance and our profit sharing and 401(k) plan (the ‘‘401(k) Plan’’). These benefits are designed to provide a stable array of support to employees and their families and are provided to all employees regardless of their individual performance levels.

Eligible employees may make voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to limits permitted under law. In addition,Backstop Parties, we may at our discretion, make profit sharing contributions toreduce or eliminate, pro rata for all holders of subscription rights, the 401(k) Plan. All full-time employeesexercise of over-subscription privileges. In the event that the exercise of over-subscription privileges is so reduced, the available unsubscribed depositary shares will be distributed proportionately among those holders who have completed one monthexercised their over-subscription privilege based on the number of service are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Profit sharing contributions made by us are subject to vesting restrictions as follows: Employees with less than one year of service are 0% vested, employees with between one and two years of service are 34% vested, employees with between two and three years of service are 67% vested and employees with greater than three years of service are 100% vested. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we made a profit sharing contribution of $60,799, or 5% of 2006 salary amounts (subject to social security integration), to the 401(k) accounts of all of our eligible employees. As of December 31, 2006, none of our employees, including our executive officers, were vested in the profit sharing contribution.

In addition, all of our executive officers are eligible to participate in our deferred compensation plan. The plan allows participants to defer all or a portion of their salary and annual bonuses. Participants have the ability to direct the plan administrator to invest their salary and bonus deferrals into pre-approved mutual funds . Please see ‘‘—BioFuel Energy Deferred Compensation Plan’’ belowdepositary shares each holder subscribed for a more detailed explanation of this plan.

Perquisites

We do not believe it is necessary for the attraction or retention of management talent to provide our executive officers with a substantial amount of compensation in the form of perquisites. In 2006, we did not provide any perquisites to our executive officers.

Relocation expenses

We offer reimbursement of relocation expenses to our officers from time to time. In 2006, we reimbursed Mr. Pearce for $87,336 of relocation expenses. We expect to pay Mr. Pearce approximately $34,000 in 2007 for a tax gross up payment relating to his relocation expense reimbursement. In 2007, in connection with the hiring of Mr. Morris, we agreed to reimburse him up to $25,000 of his relocation expenses.

Role of executives in executive compensation decisions

Our Board of Directors and our compensation committee generally seek input from Mr. Edelman, our Chairman, and Mr. Pearce, our President and Chief Executive Officer, when discussing the performance of, and compensation levels for, executives. The compensation committee also consults with Mr. Kornder in evaluating the financial, accounting, tax and retention implications of our various compensation programs. None of our other executives participates in deliberations relating to his own compensation.

Officer salaries are generally subject to Board approval. Base salaries paid to our executive officers in 2006 were generally the result of negotiations between such executive officers and our company at the time of commencement of employment.


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Summary compensation table

The following table provides compensation information for our chief executive officer, chairman and our three other most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2006. We refer to these executive officers as our Named Executive Officers.


Name and Principal PositionYearSalary
(1)
Bonus
(2)
Stock
Awards ($)(3)
All Other
Compen-
sation ($)(4)
Total
Compensation
($)
Thomas J. Edelman, Chairman and Chairman of the Board (Acting Chief Financial Officer in 2006)2006$179,806$2,506,982$13,624$2,700,412
Scott H. Pearce, President and Chief Executive Officer2006221,1541,269,557102,6261,593,337
Daniel J. Simon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer2006163,4611,217,69211,9581,393,111
JonAlan Page, Vice President — Project Development2006114,42348,1876,957169,567
Eric D. Streisand, Vice President — Corporate Development2006100,000192,750292,750
(1)The salary amounts in 2006 for the Named Executive Officers were received since May 2006 other than Mr. Streisand. His salary was received since August 2006 and was paid by Greenlight Capital, one of our stockholders, through December 31, 2006.
(2)No bonuses were paid during 2006.
(3)The Named Executive Officers received grants of units during 2006 as follows: Mr. Pearce – 135,000 M units, 335,141 C units, 124,766 D units; Mr. Edelman – 105,000 M units, 1,035,256 C units, 320,213 D units; Mr. Simon – 135,000 M units, 310,510 C units, 116,557 D units; Mr. Page – 18,750 C units, 6,250 D units; and Mr. Streisand – 75,000 C units, 25,000 D units. All units were vested upon issuance. The unit amounts for Messrs. Pearce and Simon do not reflect amounts received in connection with the sale of their interests in BioFuel Solutions Delaware to the LLC. Compensation expense based on the fair value of these units was recorded in our statement of loss in 2006 in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004). See note 7 to the consolidated financial statements of BioFuel Energy Corp. for a description of the assumptions made in the valuation of the units.
(4)Amounts relate to the company’s profit sharing contribution paid in 2006. The amount for Mr. Pearce also includes $87,336 of reimbursed relocation expenses.

Grants of plan-based awards

There were no plan based awards made in 2006.

Narrative disclosure to the summary compensation table and grants of plan based awards

Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to whichtheir over-subscription privilege. Any excess payments received by the compensation set forth insubscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

In order to properly exercise your over-subscription privilege, you must deliver the summary compensation table was paid or awarded, are described above under ‘‘Elements of our compensation program’’. A summary of certain additional material terms of our compensation arrangements is set forth below.

Employment agreements

As a general policy, we do not enter into employment agreements with our executive officers or other employees. However, in connection with our formation, we entered into an employment agreement with each of Mr. Pearce and Mr. Simon.


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Mr. Pearce’s employment agreement

In April 2006, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Pearce. The agreement provides that Mr. Pearce will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer for an initial term of three years. The agreement will automatically renew for successive one year terms, unless either party provides notice of its intent notsubscription payment related to renew the agreement at least 60 daysyour over-subscription privilege prior to the endexpiration of any term. The agreement provides for a base salarythis rights offering.  Because we will not know the total number of not less than $300,000 per year and an annual incentive target bonus of 200% of Mr. Pearce’s base salary, except that no bonus will accrue or be paidunsubscribed depositary shares prior to the time that at least two ethanol facilities have become operational. The agreement also provides thatexpiration of this rights offering, if we terminate Mr. Pearce’s employment without cause or he terminates his employment for ‘‘good reason’’ (as such terms are defined inyou wish to maximize the agreement), and upon executionnumber of a severance agreement and a customary release of future claims, wedepositary shares you purchase pursuant to your over-subscription privilege, you will pay Mr. Pearce all accrued unpaid base salary and bonus from the previous year, un-reimbursed expenses and a severance payment equalneed to 18 months of his then-current base salary. We will also provide him with 18 months of health benefit coverage. Mr. Pearce has agreed to maintain our confidential information in strictest confidence and not to use or disclose to any third party our confidential information, except as we may permit from time to time. Mr. Pearce has agreed not to compete with us during his employment, and if the agreement expires or he terminates the agreement for any reason, for a period of one year following the termination or expiration date of the agreement. During the non-compete period, Mr. Pearce will not solicit or persuade any of our employees to leave us or hire any employee that we have terminated. Mr. Pearce has also agreed that, during the non-comp ete period, he will not divert any business away from us or from customers of ours. The agreement also provides that we will indemnify him against any claims or judgments that result by reason of his employment with us. In addition, during Mr. Pearce’s term of employment, and for a period of three years following employment, we must maintain officers’ and Directors’ liability insurance for Mr. Pearce at least equal to the coverage that we provide for any other present or former senior executive or Director.

Mr. Simon’s employment agreement

In April 2006, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Simon. The agreement provides that Mr. Simon will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for an initial term of three years. The agreement will automatically renew for successive one year terms, unless either party provides notice of its intent not to renew the agreement at least 60 days prior to the end of any term. The agreement provides for a base salary of not less than $250,000 per year and an annual incentive target bonus of 175% of Mr. Simon’s base salary, except that no bonus will accrue or be paid prior to the time that at least two ethanol facilities have become operational. The agreement also provides that if we terminate Mr. Simon’s employment without cause or he terminates his employment for ‘‘good reason’’ (as such terms are defined in the agreement), and upon exe cution of a severance agreement and a customary release of future claims, we will pay Mr. Simon all accrued unpaid base salary and bonus from the previous year, un-reimbursed expenses and a severance payment equal to 18 months of his then-current base salary. We will also provide him with 18 months of health benefit coverage. Mr. Simon has agreed to maintain our confidential information in strictest confidence and not to use or disclose to any third party our confidential information, except as we may permit from time to time. Mr. Simon has agreed not to compete with us during his employment, and if the agreement expires or he terminates the agreement for any reason, for a period of one year following the termination or expiration date of the agreement. During the non-compete period, Mr. Simon will not solicit or persuade any of our employees to leave us or hire any employee that we have terminated. Mr. Simon has also agreed that, during the non-com pete period, he will not divert any business away from us or from customers of ours. The agreement also provides that we will indemnify him against any claims or judgments that result by reason of his employment with us. In addition, during Mr. Simon’s term of employment, and for a period of three years following


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employment, we must maintain officers’ and Directors’ liability insurance for Mr. Simon at least equal to the coverage that we provide for any other present or former senior executive or Director.

Potential payments upon termination or a change in control

Mr. Pearce’s potential post-employment payments

Under the terms of Mr. Pearce’s employment agreement, assuming that we terminated Mr. Pearce’s employment without cause or he terminated his employment for ‘‘good reason’’ on December 31, 2006, upon execution of a severance agreement and a customary release of future claims, we would have paid Mr. Pearce a severancedeliver payment in an amount equal to $450,000the aggregate rights price for the maximum number of depositary shares available to you, assuming that no holders other than you and provided health benefit coverage equalthe Backstop Parties (who have agreed, subject to approximately $25,000.

Mr. Simon’s potential post-employmentcertain exceptions, to exercise their basic subscription privileges in full) have purchased any depositary shares pursuant to their basic subscription privileges or over-subscription privileges.

We can provide no assurance that you will actually be entitled to purchase the number of depositary shares you subscribe for pursuant to your over-subscription privilege at the expiration of this rights offering.  We will not be able to satisfy your exercise of the over-subscription privilege if all holders exercise their basic subscription privileges in full, and we will only honor an over-subscription privilege to the extent sufficient depositary shares are available following the exercise of subscription rights under the basic subscription privileges.
·To the extent that the aggregate rights price of the maximum number of unsubscribed depositary shares available to you pursuant to your over-subscription privilege is less than the amount you actually paid in connection with the exercise of your over-subscription privilege, you will be allocated only the number of unsubscribed depositary shares available to you, and any excess payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
·To the extent the amount you actually paid in connection with the exercise of your over-subscription privilege is less than the aggregate rights price of the maximum number of unsubscribed depositary shares available to you pursuant to your over-subscription privilege, you will be allocated the number of unsubscribed depositary shares for which you actually paid in connection with the exercise of your over-subscription privilege.
We will deliver certificates representing depositary shares or (if you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee) credit your account at your record holder with depositary shares purchased with the over-subscription privilege as soon as practicable after the expiration of this rights offering.  Any excess subscription payments

Under received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

We will not offer or sell in connection with this rights offering any depositary shares that are not subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription privileges or the over-subscription privileges.  The Backstop Parties, however, have agreed to backstop the offering as described under “—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Basic Commitment and Backstop Commitment.”
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Rights Offering Letter Agreement
In addition to setting forth the terms of Mr. Simon’s employment agreement, assuming thatthis rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement also includes certain other agreements and commitments as described below.  The Rights Offering Letter Agreement, as amended, is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Requirement to Effect Rights Offering
Under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we terminated Mr. Simon’s employmentmust use our commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part to be declared effective on or before January 24, 2011, and to remain effective for a five-week offering period without causeinterruption.
Basic Commitment and Backstop Commitment
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, as amended, the Backstop Parties have agreed to (i) participate in this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement for their full basic subscription privilege and full LLC basic purchase privilege (which we refer to as the “Basic Commitment”) and (ii) purchase immediately prior to expiration of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement (x) all of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges and (y) all of the available preferred membership interests in the LLC not otherwise sold in the LLC’s concurrent private placement following the exercise of all LLC basic purchase privileges and LLC additional purchase privileges of all other holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) (which we refer to as the “Backstop Commitment”).
The price per depositary share or he terminated his employment for ‘‘good reason’’ on December 31, 2006, upon execution of a severance agreement and a customary release of future claims, we would havepreferred membership interest paid Mr. Simon a severance payment in an amountby the Backstop Parties pursuant to the Backstop Commitment will be equal to $375,000 and provided health benefit coverage$0.56 (and therefore will be equal to approximately $25,000.

Potential post-employment paymentsthe price paid by the other holders in this rights offering and in the LLC’s concurrent private placement).

The Backstop Parties may exercise their over-subscription privileges in this rights offering and LLC additional purchase privileges in the LLC’s concurrent private placement. 
Any depositary shares purchased by the Backstop Parties pursuant to Messrs. Pagethe Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment will be purchased directly from us on a private basis and Streisand

We maintainare not being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a Changepart.

Reduction by Backstop Parties
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement provides that the Backstop Parties may (i) reduce the number of Control Plan,depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or COC Plan, that may requireBackstop Commitment or (ii) cause us to pay severance benefits to Messrs. Page and Streisandreduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering, in the event that the Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the consummation of a changethis rights offering, the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or any of control (as defined in the COC Plan).

The COC Plan covers all of our employees other than Messrs. Edelman, Pearce and Simon. The COC Plan will establish three levels of severance benefits inBackstop Parties.  We expect that any such reduction would reduce the proceeds available to us from this rights offering.

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In the event that the Backstop Parties cause us to reduce the aggregate number of a changedepositary shares offered in this rights offering or reduce the number of control. Executive officers will receivedepositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the highest level of compensation underBasic Commitment or Backstop Commitment, this rights offering would proceed with us and the COC,Backstop Parties using commercially reasonable best efforts to structure and key managers and other employees will receive more limited severance benefits. Upon a change of control, all non-vested securitiesconsummate an alternative transaction to take the place of the company heldissuance of the depositary shares not purchased in this rights offering or pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment.  The alternative transaction would be structured so as to preserve the economic benefits to the parties to the Rights Offering Letter Agreement as if this rights offering had been consummated in full without giving effect to such reduction (provided that no Backstop Party shall be obligated to fund an amount in excess of the amount represented by employees will automatically vest, as will all non-vested rights under or in connection with all benefit plans, including the 2007 Plan, the 401(k) Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the COC Plan, ifits Backstop Commitment).  Nevertheless, it is not certain that we would be able to consummate an executive officer, key manager or other employee, as applicable, is terminated within one year of a change of control or he or she resigns within 30 days afteralternative transaction to raise additional proceeds.  If we cannot consummate such an alternative transaction following a reduction of title, duties, compensationthis rights offering, we may not have sufficient funds available to make the Cargill Cash Payment, repay the Subordinated Debt or, benefits (definedultimately, repay the Bridge Loan at maturity.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The pending maturity of our Bridge Loan, unless extended, raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a ‘‘Material Change’’going concern.”  In the event that the size of this rights offering is reduced, we will nonetheless apply whatever proceeds are raised by this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment in accordance with, and in the COC Plan) occurring withinorder specified by, “Use of Proceeds.”
In addition, one year of a change of control, (i) an executive officer will receive a payment consisting of 100% of Base Compensation (as defined in the COC Plan) plus 100%or more of the greater of the executive’s most recent annual bonus or the projected annual bonus for the year in which the change of control occurs plus accrued but unpaid bonuses; (ii) a key manager will receive a payment consisting of 100% of Base Compensation plus accrued but unpaid bonuses; and (iii) an other employee will receive a payment consisting of 50% of the annual base salary then in effect plus accrued but unpaid bonuses.

Assuming termination within one year of a change of control, or resignation within 30 days after a Material Change occurring within one year of a change of control, we would potentially pay Messrs. Page and Streisand $262,500 and $480,000, respectively, andBackstop Parties may elect either (i) to exercise their non-vested rights under the 401(k) Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan would vest.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

The company maintains a deferred compensation plan. This plan is availablerespective Backstop Commitments with respect to executive officers of the company and certain key managers of the company and its subsidiaries, as designated by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board from time to time. The plan allows participants to defer all or a portion of their salarythe available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and annual bonuses. The company may make discretionary matching contributionsover-subscription privileges by purchasing a new class of a percentageclass B preferred membership interests in the LLC (instead of the participant’s salary


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deferral and those assets are invested in instruments as directed by the participant. The deferred compensation plan does not have dollar limits on tax-deferred contributions. The assets of the deferred compensation plan are held in a ‘‘rabbi’’ trust and, therefore, may bepurchasing such available to satisfy the claims of the company’s creditorsdepositary shares) in the event that such Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the purchase of bankruptcysuch available depositary shares would result in adverse tax, legal or insolvency. Participantsregulatory consequences to us or such Backstop Parties, which we refer to as a “LLC Backstop Reallocation,” or (ii) to not exercise their respective Backstop Commitments with respect to all or a portion of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges in the event that such Backstop Parties determine, in their sole discretion, that the purchase of such available depositary shares would result in adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us or such Backstop Parties.  Any election contemplated by clause (ii) of the prior sentence would reduce the proceeds of this rights offering.

In the event of a LLC Backstop Reallocation, the LLC will issue such class B preferred membership interests to the applicable Backstop Parties (in equal number to the number of available depositary shares not purchased because of such LLC Backstop Reallocation) in exchange for payment of $0.56 for each class B preferred membership interest purchased.  The class B preferred membership interests, if issued, would have the abilitysame terms as the preferred membership interests (including as to direct the plan administrator to invest their salaryconversion, distribution, liquidation and bonus deferrals into pre-approved mutual funds held by the trust or other investments approved by the Board. In addition, each participant has the right to requestrights), except that, the plan administrator re-allocate the portfolioupon conversion of investmentssuch class B preferred membership interests, holders of such class B preferred membership interests would receive membership interests in the participant’s individual account withinLLC that would not be exchangeable (together with the trust. However, the plan administrator is not required to honor such requests. Matching contributions may be made in cash or, following the consummationcorresponding shares of the offering,our class B common stock& nbsp;stock) for shares of the company and vest ratably over a three-year period. Assets of the trust, other than our common stock, are invested in over ten mutual funds that cover an investment spectrum ranging from equities to money market instruments. These mutual funds are publicly quoted and reported at market value. No amounts were contributedstock.
Backstop Parties’ Ownership
The Backstop Parties or deferred and no distributions were made in 2006.

Director Compensation

There was no director compensation program in place for 2006. In connection with the offering, we are implementingtheir affiliates own a compensation program for all of our non-employee Directors. See ‘‘— Director compensation’’ above for a description of the terms of the compensation program.

2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt our 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or the 2007 Plan. The purpose of the 2007 Plan is to promote our interests and the interests of our stockholders by (1) attracting and retaining exceptional Directors, officers, employees and consultants (including prospective directors, officers, employees and consultants) and (2) enabling such individuals to participate in our long-term growth and financial success.

Types of awards

The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of options intended to qualify as incentive stock options, or ISOs under Section 422 of the Code, non-qualified stock options, or NSOs, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, or RSUs, performance units, and other equity-based or equity-related awards.

Plan administration

The 2007 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of our Board of Directors. Subject to the terms of the 2007 Plan and applicable law, the committee has sole authority to administer the 2007 Plan, including, but not limited to, the authority to (1) designate plan participants, (2) determine the type or types of awards to be granted to a participant, (3) determine thesignificant number of shares of our common stock and class B common stock.  David Einhorn is the principal of the Greenlight Parties and is a member of our board of directors.  The Greenlight Parties are affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., which, as of November 12, 2010, owned 7,542,104 shares of common stock and 4,311,396 shares of class B common stock, which together represented 36.4% of our outstanding total voting stock (composed of our common stock and class B common stock) on that date.  Third Point is an affiliate of Third Point Funds, which as of November 12, 2010, owned 5,578,800 shares of common stock, which represented 17.1% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.  Collectively, the Backstop Parties owned 53.5% of our outstanding total voting stock on that date.

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If the Backstop Commitment is exercised, we expect that the Backstop Parties’ and their affiliates’ aggregate proportional ownership of our outstanding equity will increase as a result of, and in proportion to, the performance by the Backstop Parties of their Backstop Commitment.
As a result of their substantial equity interest in us, the Backstop Parties have and will continue to have considerable influence over our corporate affairs and actions, including those submitted to a stockholder vote.  In addition, this rights offering may result in the Backstop Parties obtaining a much greater degree of control of our company, which could make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of the Backstop Parties.  The interests of the Backstop Parties may not always coincide with our interests as a company or the interests of our other stockholders.  Accordingly, these stockholders could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that you would not approve or make decisions with which you may disagree.
Conditions to Backstop Parties’ Obligations
The Backstop Parties’ obligations to purchase any depositary shares pursuant to the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment are subject to various conditions, including the following (unless waived by the Backstop Parties):  (i) we must be coveredin compliance with our obligations under the Bridge Loan Agreement and the other transaction documents relating thereto in all material respects; (ii) there must not have occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in our condition, financial or otherwise, or in our earnings, business, operations or properties; (iii) there must not have occurred any material disruption or material adverse change in the financial, banking or capital markets that, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Backstop Parties, would have a material adverse impact on the success of this rights offering; (iv) the Cargill Letter must be in full force and effect; (v) executive management waiver agreements (under which certain members of our management team agree to waive any change of control benefits that they may have under their employment arrangements as a result of this rights offering) must be in full force and effect; (vi) all required approvals and consents shall have been obtained and no actions, suits or proceedings shall be pending or threatened that challenge the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, the Bridge Loan Agreement, the Cargill Letter or any related agreement; (vii) the Backstop Parties must be reasonably satisfied with the certificate of designations setting forth the rights and preferences of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock as determined by or with respect to which payments, rightsthe Greenlight Parties in their reasonable discretion; and (viii) we must not have entered into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle or other matters areagreement relating to any competing plan, proposal, offer or transaction with a third party other than the Greenlight Parties materially inconsistent with the Rights Offering Letter Agreement.
Substitute Transaction
The provisions of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement permit us to solicit, participate in, initiate or facilitate discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any person or group of persons concerning any alternative equity financing or other transaction that would result in the (a) repayment in full of all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Loan Agreement, (b) repayment in full of all amounts under the Subordinated Debt Agreement and (c) satisfaction of all obligations under the Cargill Letter (which we refer to as a “Substitute Transaction”).  If, as a result of such activities, our board of directors (excluding any board member that is an affiliate of the Greenlight Parties) determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel and independent financial advisors that (i) we have the opportunity to enter into a Substitute Transaction that will be calculatedconsummated within a timeframe that is not materially longer than the anticipated timeframe for this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement but in connection with, awards, (4) determineno event later than February 1, 2011, and (ii) such Substitute Transaction is more favorable to the holders of our common stock (excluding benefits arising to the Backstop Parties by virtue of the Backstop Commitment) than this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement (taking into account all the terms and conditions of awards, (5) determinesuch Substitute Transaction that the vesting schedulesboard deems relevant including, without limitation, any break-up fee provisions, expense reimbursement provisions, conditions to closing and availability of awardsnecessary financing) and if certain performance criteria mustis reasonably likely to be attained in order for an awardconsummated prior to vest or be settled or paid, establish such performance criteria and certify whether, andFebruary 1, 2011, then we shall deliver three business days’ prior notice to what extent, such performance criteria have been attained, (6) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances awards may be settled or exercised in cash, sharesthe Greenlight Parties of our common stock, other securities, other awards or other property, or cancelled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which awards may be settled, exercised, cancelled, forfeited or suspended, (7) determine whether,intention to what extent and under what circumstances cash, shares of our common stock, other securities, other awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an award will be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the committee, (8) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any default


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in and supply any omission in, the 2007 Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or award made under, the 2007 Plan, (9) establish, amend, suspend or waiveenter into such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the 2007 Plan, (10) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, awards, (11) amend an outstanding award or grant a replacement award for an award previously granted under the 2007 Plan if, in its sole discretion, the committee determines that the tax consequences of such award to us or the participant differ from those consequences that were expected to occur on the date the award was granted or that clarifications or interpretations of, or changes to, tax law or regulations permit awards to be granted that have more favorable tax consequences than initially anticipated and (12) make any other determination and take any other action that the committee deems necessary or desi rable for the administration of the 2007 Plan.

Shares available for awards

Subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization and giving effect to the recapitalization described elsewhere in this prospectus, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the 2007 Plan is 3,000,000. If an award granted under the 2007 Plan is forfeited, or otherwise expires, terminates or is cancelled without the delivery of shares, then the shares covered by the forfeited, expired, terminated or cancelled award will again be available to be delivered pursuant to awards under the 2007 Plan.

In the event of any extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up or spin-off affecting the shares of our common stock, the committee will make adjustments and other substitutions to awards under the 2007 Plan in order to preserve the value of the awards. In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of the company or other similar corporate transactions, the committee in its discretion may make such adjustments and other substitutions to the 2007 Plan and awards under the 2007 Plan as it deems equitable or desirable in its sole discretion.

Any shares of our common stock issued under the 2007 Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares of our common stock or of treasury shares of our common stock.

Eligible participants

Any of our or our affiliates’ Directors, officers, employees or consultants (including any prospective Directors, officers, employees or consultants) is eligible to participate in the 2007 Plan.

Stock options

The compensation committee may grant both ISOs and NSOs under the 2007 Plan. Except as otherwise determined by the committee in an award agreement, the exercise price for options cannot be less than the fair market value (as defined in the 2007 Plan) of our common stock on the grant date. In the case of ISOs granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of an option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our stock or the stock of any of our affiliates, the exercise price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date. All options granted under the 2007 Plan will be NSOs unless the applicable award agreement expressly states that the option is intended to be an ISO. All terms and conditions of all grants of ISOs will be subject to and comply with Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Subject to the applicable award agreement, options will vest and become exercisable with respect to 30%, 30% and 40% of the shares of our common stock subject to such options on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable


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award agreement, each option will expire upon the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date the option is granted and (ii) either (x) 90 days after the participant who is holding the option ceases to be a Director, officer or employee of us or one of our affiliates for any reason other than the participant’s death or (y) six months after the date the participant who is holding the option ceases to be a Director, officer or employee of us or one of our affiliates by reason of the participant’s death. The exercise price may be paid with cash (or its equivalent) or, in the sole discretion of the committee, with previously acquired shares of our common stock or through delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell our common stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the option (provided that there is a public market for our common stock at such time), or a combination of any of the foregoing.

Stock appreciation rights

The committee may grant SARs under the 2007 Plan either alone or in tandem with, or in addition to, any other award permitted to be granted under the 2007 Plan. SARs granted in tandem with, or in addition to, an award may be granted either at the same time as the award or at a later time. Subject to the applicable award agreement, the exercise price of each share of our common stock covered by an SAR cannot be less than the fair market value of such share on the grant date. Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder will receive cash, shares of our common stock, other securities, other awards, other property or a combination of any of the foregoing, as determined by the committee, equal in value to the excess over the exercise price, if any, of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the SAR at the exercise date.

Restricted shares and restricted stock units

Subject to the provisions of the 2007 Plan, the committee may grant restricted shares and RSUs. Restricted shares and RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered except as provided in the 2007 Plan or the applicable award agreement, except that the committee may determine that restricted shares and RSUs may be transferred by the participant. Upon the grant of a restricted share, a certificate will be issued and registered in the name of the participant and deposited by the participant,Substitute Transaction, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with us or a custodian designated by the committee or us. Upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable to such restricted share, we or the custodian, as applicable, will deliver such certificate to the participant or his or her legal representative.

An RSU will be granted with respect to one share of our common stock or have a value equal to the fair market value of one such share. Upon the lapse of restrictions applicable to an RSU, the RSU may be paid in cash, shares of our common stock, other securities, other awards or other property, as determined by the committee, or in accordance with the applicable award agreement. The committee may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, provide a participant who holds restricted shares or RSUs with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, shares of our common stock, other securities, other awards or other property.

Performance units

Subject to the provisions of the 2007 Plan, the committee may grant performance units to participants. Performance units are awards with an initial value established by the committee (or that is determined by reference to a valuation formula specified by the committee or the fair market value of our common stock) at the time of the grant. In its discretion, the committee will set performance goals that, depending on the extent to which they are met during a specified performance period, will determine the number and/or value of performance units that will be paid out to the participant. The committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned performance units in the form of cash, shares of our common stock or any combination thereof that has an aggregate fair market value equal to the value of the earned performance units at the close of the applicable performance period. The determination of the committee with respect to the form and timing of payout of performan ce units will be set forth in the applicable award agreement.


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The committee may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, provide a participant who holds performance units with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, shares of our common stock, other securities, other awards or other property.

Other stock-based awards

Subject to the provisions of the 2007 Plan, the committee may grant to participants other equity-based or equity-related compensation awards, including vested stock. The committee may determine the amounts and terms and conditions of any such awards provided that they comply with applicable laws.

Amendment and termination of the 2007 Plan

Subject to any applicable law or government regulation and to any additional requirement that must be satisfied if the 2007 Plan is intended to be a stockholder approved plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and to the rules of Nasdaq, the 2007 Plan may be amended, modified or terminated by our Board of Directors without the approval of our stockholders, except that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that would (i) increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock available for awards under the 2007 Plan, (ii) increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be delivered pursuant to ISOs granted under the 2007 Plan or (iii) modify the requirements for participation under the 2007 Plan. No modification, amendment or termination of the 2007 Plan that is adverse to a participant will be effective without the consent of the affected participant, unless otherwise provided by the committee in the applicable award agreement.

The committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any award previously granted, prospectively or retroactively. However, unless otherwise provided by the committee in the applicable award agreement or in the 2007 Plan, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely impair the rights of any participant to any award previously granted will not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected participant.

The committee is authorized to make adjustments inreasonable details concerning the terms and conditions of awardssuch Substitute Transaction.  After such three business day period, (x) the board would be permitted to approve the Substitute Transaction, (y) we would be permitted to enter into such Substitute Transaction and (z) we would be permitted to terminate the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, so long as in each case (A) the eventSubstitute Transaction continues to meet the requirements described in clause (ii) above and (B) upon execution of any unusual or nonrecurring corporate event (including the occurrence ofdefinitive documentation relating to a change of control of the company) affecting us, any of our affiliates or our financial statements or the financial statements of any of our affiliates, or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles or law whenever the committee, in its discretion, determines that those adjustments are appropriate or desirable, including providing for the substitution or assumption of awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, awards or providing for a period of time for exercise priorSubstitute Transaction, we pay to the occurrence of such event and, in its discretion,Backstop Parties an aggregate break-up fee (to be allocated among the committee may provide for a cash payment to the holder of an award in consideration for the cancellation of such award.

Change of control

The 2007 Plan provides that in the event of a change of control of the company any options and SARs outstanding as of the date the change of control is determined to have occurred will become fully exercisable and vested, as of immediately prior to the change of control; all performance units will be paid out as if the date of the change of control were the last day of the applicable performance period and ‘‘target’’ performance levels had been attained; and all other outstanding awards will automatically be deemed exercisable or vested and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions related thereto will lapse as of immediately prior to such change of control.

Unless otherwise provided pursuant to an award agreement, a change of control is defined to mean any of the following events, generally:


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• a merger or consolidation of the company with any other entity where the shareholders of the company do not represent more than 60% of the voting power of the surviving entity after such merger or consolidation;
• the adoption of a plan of our complete liquidation of the company or approval by our stockholders of an agreement for the sale or disposition by the company (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the company’s assets;
• an acquisition by any person of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the combined voting power of the company, other than any holders of the company which held in excess of 25% of the combined voting power at the time of adoption of the 2007 Plan;
• a change in the composition of a majority of our Board of Directors that is not supported by the incumbent Board of Directors; or
• the occurrence of any other change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in the company’s SEC filings.

Term of the 2007 Plan

No award may be granted under the 2007 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the 2007 Plan was approved by our stockholders.


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Principal stockholders

The following tables set forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock before and after the completion of this offering, as adjusted to reflect the recapitalization, by:

• each person who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of any class of our outstanding shares of common stock;
• each member of our Board of Directors who beneficially owns any class of shares of our common stock;
• each of our executive officers; and
• all members of our Board of Directors and our executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determinedBackstop Parties in accordance with their relative Backstop Commitments) in cash equal to $350,000.  We will also be required to repay all amounts owed under the SEC rulesBridge Loan Agreement and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities.

The data set forth below gives effect to the recapitalizationSubordinated Debt Agreement and assumes that the shares issued by us in this offering are issued at the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus, assumes that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and makes an assumption as to a closing date.

Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to our knowledge, each stockholder named in the following table possesses sole voting and investment power over the shares listed, except for those jointly owned with that person’s spouse.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address forsatisfy all beneficial owners is c/o BioFuel Energy Corp., 1801 Broadway, Suite 1060, Denver, Colorado 80202.


 Shares beneficially owned
after the recapitalization
and prior to the offering
Shares beneficially
owned after the offering
Name of beneficial ownerNumber of
shares of
common
stock
Number of
shares of
Class B
common
stock
Percentage
of total
voting
power
Number of
shares of
common
stock
Number of
shares of
Class B
common
stock
Percentage
of total
voting
power
Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates
2 Grand Central Tower
140 East 45th Street
24th Floor
New York, NY 10017(1)
4,768,0444,077,05238.54,768,0444,077,05227.2
Third Point funds
390 Park Avenue
18th Floor
New York, NY 10022(2)
4,422,54719.24,422,54713.6
Cargill, Incorporated
PO Box 9300
Minneapolis, MN 55440-9300
1,618,9757.01,618,9755.0
Thomas J. Edelman(3)3,433,81714.93,433,81710.6
Scott H. Pearce1,154,1415.01,154,1413.6
David J. Kornder(4)131,6450.622,059131,6450.5
Daniel J. Simon1,079,9364.71,079,9363.3
Timothy S. Morris(5)16,9070.111,76516,9070.1
JonAlan C. Page(6)37,3330.211,76537,3330.2
Michael N. Stefanoudakis(7)28,4880.113,23528,4880.1
Eric D. Streisand113,9550.5113,9550.4
David Einhorn(8)0.07,5000.0
Daniel S. Loeb(9)212,2820.97,500212,2820.7
Alexander P. Lynch(10)7,5000.0
All Directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)(11)4,768,04414,469,28683.64,849,36814,469,28659.4

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(1)Greenlight Capital, Inc. (‘‘Greenlight Inc.’’) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 4,193,985 shares of common stock held by Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. Greenlight Capital, L.L.C. (‘‘Greenlight L.L.C.’’) is the sole general partner of Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 4,077,052 shares of Class B common stock held by Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P. DME Advisors, LP (‘‘DME Advisors’’) is the investment manager for Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 574,059 shares of com mon stock held by Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. DME Advisors GP, LLC (‘‘DME GP’’) is the general partner of DME Advisors, and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 574,059 shares of common stock. David Einhorn, one of our Directors, is the principal of Greenlight Inc., Greenlight L.L.C., DME Advisors and DME GP, has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 4,768,044 shares of common stock and 4,077,052 shares of Class B common stock. Mr. Einhorn disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
(2)Includes shares of Class B common stock owned by Third Point Partners LP and Third Point Partners Qualified LP, which are investment funds managed by Third Point LLC. We refer to these funds as the Third Point funds. Daniel S. Loeb, one of our Directors, exercises voting and investment power over the shares of common stock owned by the Third Point funds and therefore may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. Mr. Loeb disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
(3)Includes 278,621 shares of Class B common stock owned by BioFuel Partners, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Edelman, on behalf of certain other investors. Mr. Edelman’s wife, Ingrid O. Edelman, and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Edelman’s family members, of which he is a trustee, collectively own approximately 32% of BioFuel Partners, LLC. Mr. Edelman disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
(4)Includes 17,690 shares of Class B common stock owned by BioFuel Partners, LLC attributable to Mr. Kornder’s interest in that entity. Also includes 22,059 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Kornder effective upon and subject to completion of this offering. These shares of restricted stock will vest in equal increments of 25% per year on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.
(5)Includes 11,765 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Morris effective upon and subject to completion of this offering. These shares of restricted stock will vest in equal increments of 25% per year on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.
(6)Includes 8,845 shares of Class B common stock owned by BioFuel Partners, LLC attributable to Mr. Page’s interest in that entity. Also includes 11,765 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Page effective upon and subject to completion of this offering. These shares of restricted stock will vest in equal increments of 25% per year on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.
(7)Includes 13,235 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Stefanoudakis effective upon and subject to completion of this offering. These shares of restricted stock will vest in equal increments of 25% per year on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.
(8)Consists of 7,500 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Einhorn under our compensation program for non-employee Directors. These shares vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Includes only shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Einhorn. See note 1.

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(9)Consists of 7,500 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Loeb under our compensation program for non-employee Directors. These shares vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Includes only shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Loeb. See note 2.
(10)Consists of 7,500 shares of restricted common stock to be granted to Mr. Lynch under our compensation program for non-employee directors. These shares vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
(11)Includes shares held by Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates and the Third Point funds, which are controlled by our Directors David Einhorn and Daniel S. Loeb, respectively.

BioFuel Energy, LLC limited liability company agreement

At the time of formation of the LLC, our founders agreed with certain of our principal stockholders as toobligations under the relative ownership interests in the company of our management members and affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC. Certain management members and affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC agreed to exchange LLC membership interests, shares of common stockCargill Letter on or cash at a future date, referred to as the ‘‘true-up date’’, depending on the company’s performance. This provision functions by providing management with additional value if the company’s value improves and by reducing management’s interest in the company if its value decreases. In particular, if the value of the company increases between completion of this offering and the ‘‘true-up date’’, the management members will be entitled to receive LLC membership interests, shares of common stock or cash fr om the affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC. On the other hand, if the value of the company decreases between completion of this offering and the ‘‘true-up date’’, the affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC will be entitled to receive LLC membership interests or shares of common stock from the management members.

The ‘‘true-up date’’ will bebefore the earlier of (1)February 1, 2011 and the closing date on whichof such Substitute Transaction.

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Termination
The obligations of the Backstop Parties under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement are subject to termination immediately, upon the election of the Greenlight and Third Point affiliates sell all the shares of our common stock held by them and (2) five years from the date of this offering. On the ‘‘true-up date’’, the LLC’s value will be determined, based on the pricesParties, at which the Greenlight and Third Point affiliates sold shares of our common stock prior to that date, with any remaining shares (or LLC membership interests exchangeable for shares) held by them deemed to have been sold at the then-current trading price. If the number of LLC membership interests held by the management members at the time of this offering is greater than the number of membership interests the management members would have been entitled to in connection with the ‘‘true-up’’ valuation, the management members will be obligated to deliver to the Greenlight and Third Point aff iliates a portion of their LLC membership interests or an equivalent number of shares of common stock. Conversely, if the number of LLC membership interests the management members held at the time of this offering is less than the number of membership interests the management members would have been entitled to in connection with the ‘‘true-up’’ valuation, the Greenlight and Third Point affiliates will be obligated to deliver to the management members a portion of their LLC membership interests or an equivalent amount of cash or shares of common stock. In no event will any management member be required to deliver more than 50% of the membership interests in the LLC, or an equivalent number of shares of common stock, held on the date of completion of this offering, provided that Mr. Edelman may be required to deliver up to 100% of his membership interests, or an equivalent number of shares of common stock.


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Certain relationships and related party transactions

Issuances of equity interests to our promoters, executive officers, directors and principal stockholders

The LLC has issued profit sharing membership interests to each of Thomas J. Edelman, Scott H. Pearce, Daniel J. Simon and Irik P. Sevin for their services in founding and organizing the company. The LLC also issued profit sharing membership interests to Messrs. Simon and Pearce in consideration for their interests in BioFuel Solutions Delaware. In addition, the LLC has issued profit sharing membership interests to each of Messrs. Edelman, Pearce, Simon, Streisand, Page, Stefanoudakis, Huffman, Kornder and Morris in consideration for their services as our executive officers. A summary of these issuances is presented in the table below:


Founder/ExecutiveDate of IssuanceC unitsD unitsM unitsTotal LLC units
attributable to
C, D and M units
following the
recapitalization
Thomas J. Edelman5/1/06899,500299,833100,0001,740,137
 6/30/0619,2185,9255,000 
 8/4/062,315714 
 9/14/0641,22313,741 
 4/19/075,253917  
Scott H. Pearce5/1/06542,500180,833125,0001,154,141
 6/30/069,7053,72910,000 
 8/4/061,169449 
 9/14/0678,72326,241 
 4/19/075,252918  
Daniel J. Simon5/1/06542,500180,833125,0001,079,936
 6/30/068,7733,41810,000 
 8/4/061,057412 
 9/14/0678,72326,241 
 4/19/075,252918  
Irik P. Sevin5/1/06220,50073,50025,000524,322
 6/30/065,8791,45325,000 
 8/4/06708175 
Eric D. Streisand7/18/0675,00025,000113,955
JonAlan C. Page7/18/0618,7506,25028,488
Michael N. Stefanoudakis9/11/0615,0005,00028,488
 4/19/073,7501,250  
William W. Huffman9/14/069,3753,12514,244
David J. Kornder2/9/0775,00025,000113,955
Timothy S. Morris2/26/0710,0005,00016,907

In addition, each of Greenlight Capital, Inc., the Third Point funds, Mr. Edelman and Mr. Loeb acquired A units in exchange for the capital commitments presented in the table below. The investment amount was paid to the LLC over five capital calls from May to August of 2006.


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InvestorDate of issuanceA unitsInvestment
amount
Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates (1)5/1/065,000,000$50,000,000
Third Point funds (2)5/1/062,314,000$23,140,000
Thomas J. Edelman5/1/06875,000$8,750,000
Daniel S. Loeb5/1/06120,000$1,200,000
BioFuel Partners, LLC (3)6/30/06157,500$1,575,000
(1)Greenlight Capital, Inc. (‘‘Greenlight Inc.’’) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 2,370,796 A Units held by Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. Greenlight Capital, L.L.C. (‘‘Greenlight L.L.C.’’) is the sole general partner of Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 2,304,697 A Units held by Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P. DME Advisors, LP (‘‘DME Advisors’’) is the investment manager for Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 324,507 A Units held by Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. DME Advisor s GP, LLC (‘‘DME GP’’) is the general partner of DME Advisors, and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 324,507 A Units. David Einhorn, as the principal of Greenlight Inc., Greenlight L.L.C., DME Advisors and DME GP, has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 5,000,000 A Units. Mr. Einhorn disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
(2)Our director Daniel S. Loeb exercises voting and investment power over the units held by Third Point funds. In addition, individuals affiliated with Third Point funds have purchased 66,000 A units in exchange for capital contributions of $660,000.
(3)Our Chairman, Thomas J. Edelman, exercises voting and investment power over the A units held by BioFuel Partners, LLC. Mr. Edelman’s wife, Ingrid O. Edelman, and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Edelman’s family members, of which he is a trustee, collectively own about 32% of BioFuel Partners, LLC. Family members of Mr. Pearce collectively own about 5% of BioFuel Partners, LLC. Family members of Mr. Simon collectively own about 14% of BioFuel Partners, LLC. Messrs. Pearce and Simon disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares owned by their respective family members. Mr. Page owns about 3% of BioFuel Partners, LLC. Mr. Kornder owns about 6% of BioFuel Partners, LLC.

On September 27, 2006, Cargill acquired an aggregate of 950,000 B units in exchange for a capital contribution of $9,500,000.

Immediately prior to the consummation of this rights offering upon the occurrence of any of the following:  (i) the termination of the Bridge Loan Agreement; (ii) us entering into a definitive agreement with respect to a Substitute Transaction; (iii) the Greenlight Parties, in their reasonable judgment, determining that the conditions to the Backstop Parties’ obligations are incapable of being satisfied by January 24, 2011; (iv) there having occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, operations or properties of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (v) the breach of any covenant or other provision of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement by us that has occurred and cannot be cured or satisfied with the passage of time or, if capable of being cured or satisfied, cannot be cured or satisfied prior to March 24, 2011; (vi) our common stock no longer being listed on a national securities exchange; or (vii) our adoption of any plan of merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution or filing of a petition in bankruptcy.


Additionally, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement provides that the obligations of the parties to the Rights Offering Letter Agreement may be terminated by either the Greenlight Parties or us upon the occurrence of (a) another party’s material breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants where such breach remains uncured for a period of five days after receipt of notice of such breach or (b) the issuance by any governmental authority of any ruling or order enjoining the consummation of a material portion of the rights offering or any related transactions.  As described under “—Substitute Transaction,” we also have the ability to terminate the Rights Offering Letter Agreement in certain circumstances in connection with a Substitute Transaction.
Fees and Expenses Paid or Payable to the Backstop Parties
On September 24, 2010, we paid the Backstop Parties $743,795 in consideration of the Backstop Commitment and a fee of $776,825 in consideration of the funding of the Bridge Loan.  If the aggregate amount of this rights offering plus the LLC’s concurrent private placement is greater than $40,000,000, an additional fee of 4% of the excess will be payable to the Backstop Parties as additional consideration for the Backstop Commitment (excluding for calculation purposes any additional depositary shares or preferred membership interests purchased by the Backstop Parties pursuant to their Basic Commitment or their over-subscription privileges or LLC additional purchase privileges).  No portion of the Backstop Commitment fee previously paid to the Backstop Parties is refundable, even if the Backstop Parties elect to reduce the number of depositary shares that they would otherwise be obligated to purchase pursuant to the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment or cause us to reduce the aggregate number of depositary shares offered in this rights offering as described under “—Reduction by Backstop Parties” or we enter into a Substitute Transaction.
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As described under “—Substitute Transaction,” if we sign a definitive agreement relating to a Substitute Transaction, we will also be required to pay the Backstop Parties a break-up fee equal to $350,000.  In addition, we have agreed to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Backstop Parties incurred in connection with the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including this rights offering (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel to the Backstop Parties).
Indemnification
Under the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Backstop Parties and their stockholders, officers, directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents, attorneys, accountants and consultants from and against any and all losses resulting from or arising out of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, this rights offering, the LLCBackstop Commitment or any related transaction (but the indemnity will amendnot apply to any indemnified person to the extent any losses it has incurred resulted from the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such indemnified person).
Stockholder Approval
Pursuant to and restate its limited liability company agreementin accordance with the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we will use our commercially reasonable best efforts to replace itsobtain stockholder approval of the authorization of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Series A B, C, DNon-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  To that end, on November 15, 2010 we filed a proxy statement with the Securities and M UnitsExchange Commission in connection with a single classstockholder meeting to be called for such purpose, and we must use our best efforts to obtain such approval by January 24, 2011.
Unless and until the requisite stockholder approval is obtained, no shares of membership interests. AllSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will convert into shares of common stock (and therefore no shares of common stock will be available for distribution by the depositary to the holders of the depositary shares).  We intend to seek the requisite stockholder approval as soon as practicable.
Shares Outstanding Before and After this Rights Offering
25,465,728 shares of our historicalcommon stock and 7,111,985 shares of our class B common stock were outstanding as of November 12, 2010.
Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC equity investors, including our promoters, executive officersBackstop Reallocation and principal stockholders,before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            depositary shares will exchange their existingbe issued in this rights offering representing an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and upon the conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation (as defined below) and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            additional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the conversion of all 2,000,000 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (resulting in there being                   total shares of common stock outstanding).
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Preferred Membership Interests in the LLC Outstanding After Completion of this Rights Offering and the LLC’s Concurrent Private Placement
Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            preferred membership interests will be issued, with        being issued to BioFuel Energy Corp. and        being issued to the holders of membership interests in the LLC for new(other than BioFuel Energy Corp.).
Following the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement and upon the conversion of all preferred membership interests into common membership interests, assuming that neither the size of this rights offering nor the size of the Basic Commitment or Backstop Commitment is reduced by the Backstop Parties, assuming that there is no LLC Backstop Reallocation and before giving effect to the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect that            additional common membership interests will be issued and that        additional shares of class B common stock will be issued to the holders of membership interests in amounts to be determined in accordance with the existing limited liability company agreement of the LLC and based on the initial offering price of our shares of common stock issued in this offering. Upon consummation of this offering,(other than BioFuel Energy Corp. will issue to each historical LLC equity investor, including our promoters, executive officers, principal stockholders and one of our Directors,) (resulting in there being                   total shares of our Classclass B common stock which will entitle each holder to the number of votes as described in ‘‘Description of capital stock — Common stock — Class B common stock’’outstanding).

Other transactions with our promoters

In addition to the issuances of equity interests described above, we have entered into the following transactions with our promoters. On September 25, 2006, upon the closing of our bank facility and subordinated loan agreement, the LLC paid Mr. Sevin a transaction fee of $550,000. In


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addition, Mr. Sevin received a monthly salary of $20,000 from April 28, 2006 to July 18, 2006 as compensation for services rendered as Managing Director — Corporate Development of BioFuel Energy, LLC. Mr. Sevin resigned as an employee effective July 18, 2006, and was retained as an advisor. From August 2006 through and including February 2008, Mr. Sevin will receive a monthly advisory fee of $20,000.

Transactions with Greenlight and Third Point

Pursuant to our subordinated loan agreement, certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC will be providing subordinated financing in amounts up to $33,333,333 and $16,666,667, respectively. Borrowings under our subordinated loan agreement will bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 15.0%. For a description of the terms of this financing, see ‘‘Description of indebtedness — Subordinated loan agreement’’. We paid the lenders an initial aggregate fee of $2,500,000 and have agreed to pay takedown fees equal to 5.0% of the principal amount of each borrowing made under the subordinated loan agreement. Upon completion of this offering, we intend to use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to repay any outstanding indebtedness under our subordinated loan agreement and will permanently terminate the subordinated loan agreement.

Transactions with Cargill

We expect Cargill will be the owner of more than 5% of the voting power

Listing
Shares of our common stock uponare currently listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the consummation of this offering. See ‘‘Principal stockholders’’.

In September 2006, we entered intosymbol “BIOF.”

Neither the following agreements with Cargill-related entities:

• 20-year corn supply agreements under which Cargill, Incorporated agreed to provide 100% of the corn required at our Wood River and Fairmont plants and we agreed to pay Cargill a per bushel fee that was negotiated on an arm’s-length basis;
• 10-year ethanol marketing agreements under which Cargill, Incorporated agreed to market and distribute 100% of the ethanol produced at our Wood River and Fairmont plants and we agreed to pay Cargill a commission that was negotiated on an arm’s-length basis;
• 10-year distillers grain marketing agreements under which Cargill, Incorporated agreed to market and distribute 100% of the distillers grain produced at our Wood River and Fairmont plants and we agreed to pay Cargill a commission that was negotiated on an arm’s-length basis;
• 20-year grain facility lease agreements under which Cargill, Incorporated agreed to lease to us real property and certain structures on the property, including grain elevators immediately adjacent to our Wood River and Fairmont plants, and we agreed to pay Cargill rent in monthly installments that was negotiated on an arm’s-length basis; and
• 10-year futures advisory agreements under which a Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. agreed to provide certain corn risk management advisory services to us and we agreed to pay a monthly fee based on the projected number of bushels of corn hedged and a performance incentive, each negotiated on an arm’s-length basis.

Cargill has made an equity investment in our company through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cargill Biofuels Investments, LLC. Undersubscription rights nor the terms of an agreement with us, Cargill has the right to terminatedepositary shares will be listed for trading on any or all of our arrangements with it for any or all of our facilities if any of five designated parties or their affiliates acquires 30% or more of our voting securities or the power to elect a majority of our Board. Cargill has designated five parties, each of which is currently engaged primarily in the agricultural commodities business, and it has the right to annually update this list of identified parties, so long as the list does not exceed five entities and the affiliates of such entities.

For a discussion of our commercial contracts and our relationship with Cargill and certain risks associated therewith, see ‘‘Business’’ and ‘‘Risk factors’’.

stock exchange.

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Transactions with TIC

Daniel J. Simon, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, served as the Vice President of International Business Development of TIC from 2003 to 2005. In 2004, Mr. Simon led TIC’s Renewable Energy Development subsidiary and co-founded and served as the executive sponsor of TIC’s joint venture with Delta-T from June 2004 to December 2005.

In October 2005, BioFuel Solutions Delaware purchased TIC’s 73% interest in Bio Fuel Solutions Colorado for $150,000 in the form of a promissory note plus additional consideration of $420,000 contingent on completion of certain projects. On June 30, 2006, BioFuel Solutions Delaware paid off the promissory note payable to TIC in the amount of $150,000. BioFuel Solutions Delaware received $120,000 from TIC in 2005 and $120,000 in the first four months of 2006 as reimbursement for expenditures made toward the development of the Wood River plant.

Transactions regarding BioFuel Solutions Delaware

From October 2005 to August 2006, Ethanol Business Group, LLC, or EBG, held a 30% interest in BioFuel Solutions Delaware. EBG was not affiliated with our officers or Directors. The remaining 70% interest in BioFuel Solutions Delaware was held by Scott H. Pearce and Daniel J. Simon. In August 2006, EBG transferred its interest in BioFuel Solutions Delaware to the LLC in exchange for cash in the amount of $1,500,000 and 25,000 A Units. As part of the consideration for this transfer, Mr. Edelman transferred 75,000 A Units to EBG and Messrs. Pearce and Simon each transferred 75,000 C Units to Mr. Edelman.

On September 22, 2006, the 70% interest in BioFuel Solutions Delaware that was held by Messrs. Pearce and Simon was transferred to the LLC in exchange for 467,500 C Units and 180,833 D Units in addition to cash reimbursement for expenditures made on behalf of BioFuel Solutions Delaware in the aggregate amount of $1,750,000.

Registration Rights
In connection with this transfer, Messrs. Pearce and Simon agreed to indemnify the LLC from certain liabilities of BioFuel Solutions Delaware. BioFuel Solutions Delaware has been dissolved.

Registration rights agreement

We will enterour initial public offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which we may be required to register the sale of shares of our common stock held by the Backstop Parties and our other historical equity investors (or to be acquired by such investors upon exchange of their membership interests in the LLC for shares of our common stock) and certain of their transferees.  Under the registration rights agreement, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, our historical equity investors will have the right to request us to register the sale of their shares and may require us to make available shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period.

In addition, our historical equity investorsconnection with this rights offering, we will haveamend and restate the ability to exercise certain piggybackexisting registration rights in connection with registered offerings requested byagreement to provide that we may, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, also be required to register the sale of shares of our common stock that are issued to (i) the Backstop Parties and our other historical equity investors or initiated by us.

Tax benefit sharing agreement

As described in ���‘Organizational structure’’, membership interests held byrespect of any depositary shares that they acquire in this rights offering (or the Backstop Parties acquire upon exercise of their Backstop Commitment) following conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, (ii) the Backstop Parties and our other historical LLC equity investors in respect of any membership interests in the LLC that are issued to them following conversion of any preferred membership interests in the LLC that they acquire in the LLC’s concurrent private placement (or the Backstop Parties acquire upon exercise of their Backstop Commitment) and (iii) the Backstop Parties in respect of the warrants that may be exchangedissued to them in the futureevent that the Bridge Loan is not paid in full on or prior to March 24, 2011.

Expiration Date and Amendments
The subscription period during which you may exercise your subscription rights expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                , which is the expiration date of this rights offering.  If you do not exercise your subscription rights prior to that time, your subscription rights will expire and will no longer be exercisable and will be of no value.  We will not be required to issue depositary shares to you if the subscription agent receives your rights certificate or your subscription payment after that time, regardless of when the rights certificate and subscription payment were sent.  If you are a beneficial owner of shares of common stock that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, your subscription rights will not be considered exercised unless the subscription agent receives from your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee all of the required documents and your full subscription payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
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Subject to the terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and the consent of the Backstop Parties, our board of directors may determine to extend the subscription period, and thereby postpone the expiration date.  Any extension of this rights offering will be followed as promptly as practicable by announcement thereof, and in no event later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the previously scheduled expiration date. Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make such announcement, we will not, unless otherwise required by law, have any obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such announcement other than by issuing a press release or such other means of announcement as we deem appropriate.
Subject to the terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and the consent of the Backstop Parties, we reserve the right to amend or modify any other terms of this rights offering.
Termination
This rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement may only be terminated with the consent of the Backstop Parties or after termination of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement.  See “—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Termination.”  If we terminate this rights offering, all subscription rights will expire without value and the only obligation that we and the subscription agent will have with respect to subscription rights that have been exercised will be to return any subscription payments the subscription agent has received, without interest, as soon as practicable.
Transferability of Subscription Rights
The subscription rights granted to you are non-transferable and, therefore, you may not sell, transfer or assign your subscription rights to anyone.  The subscription rights will not be listed for trading on The Nasdaq Global Market or on any stock exchange or market.  The subsequent transfer after the record date of shares of common stock for which subscription rights were granted will not have any effect on the selling holder’s subscription privileges in respect of any such subscription rights.
Reasons for this Rights Offering
We are conducting this rights offering to raise capital that we will use, together with the proceeds of the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment, to pay off the Bridge Loan, pay off all indebtedness under the Subordinated Debt Agreement, make the Cargill Cash Payment and to pay certain fees and expenses of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
In September 2010, $17.9 million of outstanding working capital loans under our Senior Debt Facility were scheduled to become due and it was not clear in advance of that time that we would have sufficient liquidity to both repay these loans when due and to maintain our operations.  If we had been unable to repay the working capital loans at maturity, it would have resulted in an event of default under our Senior Debt Facility and a cross-default under our Subordinated Debt Agreement, and would have allowed the lenders to accelerate repayment of amounts outstanding.  In that event, the Company may have had to seek relief from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
In order to avoid such an event, during the late spring and summer of 2010 we evaluated various alternatives and attempted to engage in discussions with our lenders under our Senior Debt Facility and representatives for them seeking a one-year extension of the working capital loans, which by the terms of the Senior Debt Facility would have required the consent of lenders holding two-thirds of the outstanding loans or, failing that, a forbearance or other form of amendment to the Senior Debt Facility. In early September 2010, when it became apparent that these discussions with the lenders under our Senior Debt Facility were not likely to reach a timely conclusion on terms acceptable to the Company, our board of directors commenced explorative discussions with the Greenlight Parties to have the Greenlight Parties lend the Company funds on a short-term basis in order to pay off the working capital loans at maturity. In connection with those discussions, the parties discussed having the Company raise equity capital promptly in order to repay any such short-term loan. The Greenlight Parties and the Company also discussed whether the Greenlight Parties would, if requested by the Company, be willing to consider "backstopping" any proposed equity capital transaction. The parties also engaged in discussions with Cargill regarding the modification and repayment of amounts owed by the Company to Cargill under the terms of the agreement dated January 14,2009 by and between the Company and Cargill (which we refer to as the "Settlement Agreement").
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Because David Einhorn, who is the principal of the Greenlight Parties, is a member of our board of directors, our board of directors established an independent committee consisting only of independent members of the board in order to assess the fairness of any such transaction. The independent committee engaged separate legal counsel and engaged Piper Jaffray & Co. as the independent financial advisor to the committee.  The independent committee met a number of times in September of 2010 and, on September 17, proposed to the Greenlight Parties a transaction structure consisting of a short-term bridge loan to the Company (to be used to pay off the working capital loans) followed by a rights offering, backstopped by the Greenlight Parties, to raise capital to repay the bridge loan.  Over the course of the next week, the independent committee and the Greenlight Parties negotiated the terms of such a transaction.  Toward the end of that week, the Greenlight Parties and the Company inquired as to whether Third Point would be interested in participating alongside the Greenlight Parties, and Third Point thereafter joined the negotiations.  On September 24, 2010, the committee recommended to the board and, on that date, the board of directors approved the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Voting Agreements.  David Einhorn was not involved in any of the deliberations or negotiations of the independent committee or the board in connection with the Bridge Loan Agreement, the Rights Offering Letter Agreement (or amendment thereto) or the Voting Agreements (or amendments thereto).  The terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, which govern the terms of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Voting Agreements were determined after arm’s-length negotiations between the independent committee and the Backstop Parties.
The proceeds of the Bridge Loan were used to pay off the outstanding working capital loans and to pay certain related fees and expenses.  The Rights Offering Letter Agreement was entered into in connection with the Bridge Loan Agreement because it provided a means for us to raise equity capital in this rights offering, the LLC’s concurrent private placement and the Backstop Commitment to repay the Bridge Loan at or prior to maturity.  Without this means of repayment, the Backstop Parties may not have provided the Bridge Loan and, as a result, we may not have been able to pay off the working capital loans at maturity.
In negotiating and recommending to the board of directors the terms of this rights offering, the independent committee considered a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the price at which we believe our stockholders might be willing to participate in this rights offering, our need for liquidity and additional capital, the fact that no alternative transaction was imminent, the fact that all of our stockholders are entitled to participate in this rights offering on a pro rata basis and the fact that holders of subscription rights will have an over-subscription privilege.  Prior to concluding that the Rights Offering Letter Agreement and this rights offering were in our best interest, the independent committee also considered the likelihood of obtaining an extension or a forbearance of the working capital loans on acceptable terms, the likelihood of existing stockholders realizing value in the Company in the event of a Chapter 11 filing, and the fact that, pursuant to the agreed terms of the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, we have the ability to solicit and, in certain circumstances, consummate a Substitute Transaction (see “—Rights Offer Letter Agreement—Substitute Transaction”).  The independent committee received financial advice from Piper Jaffray & Co., the independent financial advisor to the committee, and was advised by independent legal counsel.  In advising the independent committee, Piper Jaffray:  provided advice concerning the financial aspects, and capital market implications, of the Bridge Loan, this rights offering and potential alternative transactions; participated in telephonic meetings with the committee; and reviewed precedent transactions and provided summary comparisons of those precedent transactions to the committee.  Piper Jaffray is also advising the independent committee in connection with its review of any potential Substitute Transactions that may arise.
In structuring the terms of this rights offering, the independent committee and the Backstop Parties established the formula used to calculate the rights price at an amount substantially below the market price of our common stock at the time of determination in order to increase the attractiveness of participating in this rights offering for our stockholders.  In addition, this rights offering was structured as a rights offering for depositary shares representing fractional interests in Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock because of the likelihood that we would not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of common stock to structure this rights offering as a rights offering for new shares of common stock.  We also agreed and acknowledged that we would seek stockholder approval of a proposal to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in order to facilitate the conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock.
Method of Exercising Subscription Rights
Rights are evidenced by rights certificates, which will either be physical certificates or electronic certificates issued through the facilities of DTC.  Except as described below under “Foreign Stockholders,” the rights certificates will be delivered to record date stockholders or, if a stockholder’s common stock is registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, on his, her or its behalf, to such broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee.  The exercise of subscription rights is irrevocable and may not be cancelled or modified.
Record Holders
Subscription rights may be exercised by registered holders of shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividendsby completing and reclassifications. The LLC will make an election under Section 754 ofsigning the Code effective for each taxable year in which an exchange of membership interests for shares occurs, which may result in an adjustmentrights certificate and delivering the completed and duly executed rights certificate, together with any required signature guarantees and the full subscription payment, to the tax basis ofsubscription agent at the assets ownedaddress set forth below under “—Subscription Agent.”  Completed rights certificates and related payments must be received by the LLC atsubscription agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the time of an exchange of membership interests. The exchanges may result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of the LLC that otherwise would not have been available. These increases in tax basis would reduce the amount of tax that BioFuel would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases, and a court could sustain such a challenge.

We intend to enter into a tax benefit sharing agreement with our historical LLC equity investors that will provide for a sharing of these tax benefits between the company and the


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historical LLC equity investors. Under this agreement, BioFuel will make a payment to an exchanging LLC member of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that we actually realize as a resultexpiration date of this increase in tax basis. BioFuel and its common stockholders will benefit from the remaining 15%rights offering.

Beneficial Owners
If you are a beneficial owner of cash savings, if any, in income tax that is realized by BioFuel. For purposes of the tax benefit sharing agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing our actual income tax liability to the amount of such taxes that we would have been required to pay had there been no increase in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of the LLC as a result of the exchanges and had we not entered into the tax benefit sharing agreement. The term of the tax benefit sharing agreement will commence upon consummation of this offering and will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless a change of control occurs and we exercise our resulting right to terminate the tax benefit sharing agreement for an amount based on agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement.

Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge a tax basis increase, our historical LLC equity investors will not reimburse us for any payments previously made under the tax benefit sharing agreement. As a result, in certain circumstances we could make payments to our historical LLC equity investors under the tax benefit sharing agreement in excess of our cash tax savings. Our historical LLC equity investors will receive 85% of our cash tax savings, leaving us with 15% of the benefits of the tax savings. While the actual amount and timing of any payments under the tax benefit sharing agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable and the amount and timing of our income, we expect that, as a result of the size of the increases of the tangible and intangible assets of the LLC attributable to our interest in the LLC, during the expected term of the tax benefit sharing agreement, the payments that we may make to our historical LLC equity investors could be substantial.

Amended BioFuel Energy, LLC limited liability company agreement

BioFuel Energy Corp. will, through the LLC and its subsidiaries, operate our business. As the managing member of the LLC, BioFuel Energy Corp. will have unilateral control over all the affairs and decision making of the LLC. As such, BioFuel Energy Corp., through our officers and Directors, will be responsible for all operational and administrative decisions of the LLC and the day-to-day management of the LLC’s business. Furthermore, BioFuel Energy Corp. cannot be removed as the managing member of the LLC without its approval.

Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the LLC, BioFuel Energy Corp. will have the right to determine when distributions will be made to the members of the LLC and the amounts of any such distributions. If BioFuel Energy Corp. authorizes a distribution, such distribution will be made to the members of the LLC (1) in the case of a tax distribution (as described below), to the holders of membership interests in proportion to the amount of taxable income of the LLC allocated to such holder and (2) in the case of other distributions, pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective membership interests.

The holders of membership interests in the LLC, including BioFuel Energy Corp., will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their proportionate shares of any net taxable income of the LLC. Net profits and net losses of the LLC will generally be allocated to its members pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective membership interests. The limited liability company agreement will provide for cash distributions to the members of the LLC if BioFuel Energy Corp. determines that the taxable income of the LLC will give rise to taxable income for its members. In accordance with the limited liability company agreement, we intend to cause the LLC to make cash distributions to the holders of membership interests of the LLC for purposes of funding their tax obligations in respect of the income of the LLC that is allocated to them. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the net taxable income of the LLC a llocable to such holder of membership interests multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in New York, New York (taking into account the nondeductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income).


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All members of the LLC will hold the same class of membership interests. Holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) may exchange these membership interests for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. At any time a share of common stock is redeemed, repurchased, acquired, cancelled or terminated by us, one membership interestthat are registered in the name of BioFuel Energy Corp.a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee and you wish to exercise your subscription rights, you should instruct your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee to exercise your subscription rights and deliver all documents and payment on your behalf prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.  We will automaticallyask your record holder to notify you of this rights offering. You should complete and return to your record holder the appropriate subscription documentation you receive from your record holder.  Your subscription rights will not be cancelled byconsidered exercised unless the LLC so thatsubscription agent receives from your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee all of the required documents and your full subscription payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

Brokers, dealers, custodian banks or other nominee holders of subscription rights will be required to certify to the subscription agent, before any basic subscription privilege or over-subscription privilege may be exercised with respect to any particular beneficial owner, as to the aggregate number of depositary shares subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription privilege and the number of membership interestsdepositary shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege by such beneficial owner.
Nominees
Nominees, such as brokers, dealers, custodian banks or other nominees, who hold shares of common stock for the account of others should notify the respective beneficial owners as soon as possible to ascertain the beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the subscription rights.  If the beneficial owner so instructs, the nominee should exercise the subscription rights on behalf of the beneficial owner and deliver all documents and payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
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Whether you are a record holder or hold through a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, we will not be obligated to honor your exercise of subscription rights if the subscription agent receives the documents relating to your exercise from you or from your nominee, as applicable, after the expiration of this rights offering, regardless of when you transmitted the documents.
Payment Method
Payments must be made in full in U.S. currency by certified or cashier’s check payable to BNY Mellon Shareholder Services, the subscription agent, drawn upon a U.S. bank.  Such payment will be deemed to have been received by the subscription agent immediately upon receipt.
Payment received after the expiration of this rights offering will not be honored, and the subscription agent will return your payment to you, without interest, as soon as practicable.
Personal checks will not be accepted.
You should read the instruction letters accompanying the rights certificate carefully and strictly follow them.  DO NOT SEND RIGHTS CERTIFICATES OR PAYMENTS TO US.  We will not consider your subscription received until the subscription agent has received delivery of a properly completed and duly executed rights certificate (delivered by you or your nominee) and payment of the full subscription payment amount. The risk of delivery of all documents and payments is borne by you or your nominee, not by the subscription agent or us.
The method of delivery of rights certificates and payment of the subscription payment amount to the subscription agent will be at the risk of the holders of subscription rights.  If sent by mail, we recommend that you send those certificates and payments by overnight courier or by registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested, and that a sufficient number of days be allowed to ensure delivery to the subscription agent.  If you are a beneficial holder, you must act promptly to ensure that your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee acts for you and that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to the expiration of this rights offering.  We are not responsible if your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee fails to ensure that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to the expiration of this rights offering.
Unless a rights certificate provides that the depositary shares are to be delivered to the record holder of such rights or such certificate is submitted for the account of a bank or a broker, signatures on such rights certificate must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Exchange Act, subject to any standards and procedures adopted by the subscription agent.
Missing or Incomplete Subscription Information
If you do not indicate the number of subscription rights being exercised (either under your basic subscription privilege or your over-subscription privilege), or the subscription agent does not receive the full subscription payment for the number of subscription rights that you indicate are being exercised, then you will be deemed to have exercised the maximum number of subscription rights that may be exercised with the aggregate subscription payment you delivered to the subscription agent.  If the subscription agent does not apply your full subscription payment to your purchase of depositary shares, any excess subscription payment received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
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Validity of Subscriptions
We will resolve in our sole discretion all questions regarding the validity and form of the exercise of your subscription rights, including time of receipt and eligibility to participate in this rights offering. Our determination will be final and binding. Once made, subscriptions and directions are irrevocable, and we will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent subscriptions or directions.  We reserve the absolute right to reject any subscriptions or directions not properly submitted or the acceptance of which would be unlawful.  You must resolve any irregularities in connection with your subscriptions before the subscription period expires, unless waived by us in our sole discretion.  Neither we nor the subscription agent will be under any duty to notify you or your representative of defects in your subscriptions.  A subscription will be considered accepted, subject to our right to withdraw or terminate this rights offering, only when a properly completed and duly executed rights certificate and any other required documents and the full subscription payment have been received by the subscription agent.  Our interpretations of the terms and conditions of this rights offering will be final and binding.
Subscription Agent
The subscription agent for this rights offering is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.  If your shares of common stock are held in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, then you should send your applicable subscription documents to your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee. If you are a record holder, then the address to which subscription documents, rights certificates and subscription payments should be mailed or delivered is:
By Mail:By Hand or Overnight Courier:
BNY Mellon Shareowner ServicesBNY Mellon Shareowner Services
Attn:  Corporate Actions Dept.Attn:  Corporate Actions, 27th Floor
P.O. Box 3301480 Washington Blvd
South Hackensack, NJ  07606Jersey City, NJ  07310

If you deliver subscription documents, rights certificates or subscription payments in a manner different from that described in this prospectus, we may not honor the exercise of your subscription rights.
Information Agent
The information agent for this rights offering is Okapi Partners LLC.  You should direct any questions or requests for assistance concerning the method of subscribing for depositary shares or for additional copies of this prospectus to the information agent at the below address:
Okapi Partners LLC
437 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Banks and brokerage firms: (212) 297-0720
Stockholders and all others, toll-free: (877) 869-0171
Email:  info@okapipartners.com
Rights holders may also contact their broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee for information with respect to this rights offering.
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Fees and Expenses
We will pay all fees and expenses of the subscription agent and the information agent.  You are responsible for paying any other commissions, fees, taxes or other expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the subscription rights.
Escrow Arrangements; Return of Funds
The subscription agent will hold funds received in payment for depositary shares in a segregated account pending completion of this rights offering. The subscription agent will hold this money in escrow until this rights offering is completed or is terminated.  If this rights offering is terminated for any reason, all subscription payments received by BioFuel Energy Corp.the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
Stockholder Rights
You will have no rights as a holder of the depositary shares you purchase in this rights offering, if any, until certificates representing the depositary shares are issued to you or your account at all times equalsyour record holder is credited with the numberdepositary shares purchased in this rights offering.
Foreign Stockholders
We will not mail the rights certificates to record stockholders with addresses that are outside the United States or that have a military post office or foreign post office address. The subscription agent will hold these rights certificates for their account. To exercise subscription rights, our foreign stockholders must notify the subscription agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, at least three business days prior to the expiration of this rights offering and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the subscription agent that the exercise of such subscription rights does not violate the laws of the jurisdiction of such stockholder.
No Revocation or Change
Once you submit the rights certificate to exercise any subscription rights or, if you are a beneficial owner of shares of common stock outstanding.

The LLCthat are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, your subscription rights are exercised on your behalf by your nominee, you are not allowed to revoke or change the exercise or request a refund of monies paid.  All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if you subsequently learn information about us that you consider to be unfavorable. You should not exercise your subscription rights unless you are certain that you wish to purchase depositary shares.

Regulatory Limitation
We will maintain a capital account for each LLC member. No LLC member willnot be required to make additional capital contributionsissue to the LLC without such member’s consent, and no LLC member will beyou depositary shares pursuant to this rights offering if, in our opinion, you are required to payobtain prior clearance or approval from any state or federal regulatory authorities to own or control such depositary shares and if, at the LLCtime this rights offering expires, you have not obtained such clearance or approval.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Rights Distribution
You should not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in connection with the receipt or exercise of subscription rights to any other LLC member any deficit or negative balance which may exist from timepurchase depositary shares in this offering.  You are urged to timeconsult your own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences to you in such member’s capital account.

Except as otherwise provided by law,connection with your participation in this rights offering.  See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

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No Recommendation to Rights Holders
Our board of directors is making no recommendation regarding your exercise of the LLC shall be entitledsubscription rights.  You are urged to recognizemake your decision based on your own assessment of our business and this rights offering.  Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the exclusive right of persons registered on its records as the owners of LLC membership interests for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any other claims to or interestsrisks involved in LLC membership interests by any other persons.

A holder of LLC membership interests will not be permitted to transfer its membership interests except (1)investing in the case of an individual, to immediate family members or to trusts or other entities in which all the beneficial interests are held by the individual or immediate family members and (2) in the case of entities, to affiliates.

Review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons

Our Board of Directors reviews and pre-approves transactions we may enter into with our Directors, executive officers, principal stockholders or persons affiliated with our Directors, executive officers or principal stockholders. While we do not have formal procedures for these reviews, our Board of Directors evaluates and considers these transactions individually on a facts and circumstances basis. Furthermore, our code of business conduct and ethics will require Directors and executive officers to disclose any transaction with us in which they may have a direct or indirect interest. We believe that each of the commercial transactions described above was on terms at least as favorable to us as those that we could have negotiated with a third party.

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Description of indebtedness

Capital Stock

The followingdescription is a summary of our current bank facility and subordinated loan agreement, which provide a portion of the financing for our Wood River and Fairmont plants. We expect to finance our planned Alta plant with the proceeds of this offering and (1) a new corporate credit facility that would replace our current bank facility and subordinated loan agreement or (2) with financing entered into by different, newly-formed subsidiaries.

Bank facility

In September 2006, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $230 million bank facility with BNP Paribas and a syndicate of lenders. BioFuel Energy Corp. is not a party to the bank facility and has no obligation under the facility other than the pledge of its equity interest in the subsidiaries that are parties to the facility. The facility consists of non-amortizing construction loans, which will convert into term loans, and working capital loans.

Up to $100.7 million and $109.3 million in construction loans are available for the development, financing and construction of our Wood River and Fairmont plants, respectively. Excess loan funds with respect to one of these plants may be applied to the development, financing and construction of the other plant. Upon completion of this offering, and subject to lender consent, borrowings under our bank facility may be applied to the development, financing and construction of one or more of our additional ethanol plants under development. Once repaid, the construction loans may not be reborrowed in whole or in part.

The outstanding construction loans will convert into term loans maturing in September 2014, if certain conditions precedent, including the completion of our Wood River and Fairmont plants, are satisfied prior to June 2009. Any unconverted construction loans otherwise mature in June 2009.

Working capital loans of up to $20 million will be available to pay the operation and maintenance expenses of the Wood River and Fairmont plants, or alternative plants, as the case may be, with up to $5 million becoming available upon mechanical completion of a plant, up to $10 million becoming available upon provisional acceptance of a plant and up to $20 million becoming available upon conversion of the construction loans to term loans. The working capital loans will mature in September 2010 or, with consent from two-thirds of the lenders, in September 2011. A portion of the working capital facility will be available to us in the form of letters of credit.

Although the material conditions precedent to borrowing have been satisfied, our ability to borrow under our bank facility remains subject to the satisfactionterms of a number of additional conditions precedent, including the provision of engineers’, market consultants’ and environmental reports and legal opinions, in each case satisfactory to the lenders. To the extent that we are not able to satisfy these requirements, we will not be able to borrow under the bank facility without obtaining a waiver or consent from the lenders, which could result in a delay of our construction.

Our bank debt is secured by a first-priority lien on all of our rights, titles and interests in our Wood River and Fairmont plants and any accounts or property associated with those plants. As of March 31, 2007, no bank debt was outstanding.

Interest rates

The interest rates on our bank loans will be, at our option, (a) a base rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (ii) BNP Paribas’s prime rate, in each case, plus 2.0% or (b) a Eurodollar rate equal to LIBOR adjusted for reserve requirements plus 3.0%.


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Interest periods for loans based on a Eurodollar rate will be, at our option, one, three or six months, or, if available, nine or twelve months. Accrued interest is due quarterly in arrears for base rate loans, on the last date of each interest period for Eurodollar loans with interest periods of one or three months, and at three month intervals for Eurodollar loans with interest periods in excess of three months. Overdue amounts will bear additional interest at a default rate of 2.0%.

Subject to certain restrictions, we may convert the principal amount of base rate loans to Eurodollar loans and the principal amount of Eurodollar loans to base rate loans.

Amortization

The term loans under our bank facility will amortize in an amount equal to 6.0% of the outstanding principal amount thereof per annum.

Mandatory and voluntary prepayments

Subject to certain restrictions, we may pre-pay the term loans without premium or penalty. In addition, under certain circumstances we are required to make mandatory pre-payments without premium or penalty in the amount of (i) liquidated damages received under EPC contracts or termination payments received under other project documents, (ii) insurance proceeds or other payments for any destruction or loss of property (other than our leased grain facilities) in excess of $5 million, (iii) disposition of property in excess of $500,000 (other than ethanol and distillers grain), (iv) on each principal payment date, an excess cash flow amount described below and (v) the entire outstanding amount of the loans in the event of certain change in control events relating to the Wood River and Fairmont plants or Cargill’s ownership of our common stock. We will be required to deposit at least 40% of our cash flow (or 75% of our cash flow if the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit is not extended by June 30, 2009, or is scheduled to expire less than 18 months from any date after June 30, 2009) into an excess cash flow account, plus additional amounts necessary to meet outstanding target balance amounts under our bank facility. We may also be required to deposit additional amounts into this account if historical debt service coverage ratios are not met.

Covenants

The bank facility contains customary covenants and other requirements. The affirmative covenants provide for, among other requirements, periodic delivery of financial statements, budgets and other information, including notices of certain events and conditions. We are also required to maintain certain hedging agreements. In addition, we are required, among other things, to maintain insurance and comply with applicable laws and material contracts.

The bank facility contains negative covenants, which, among other things, limit the applicable subsidiaries’ ability to:

• incur additional indebtedness;
• grant liens or encumbrances;
• declare or pay dividends or distributions;
• make certain investments;
• conduct asset sales or other dispositions, mergers or consolidations;
• conduct transactions with affiliates;
• amend, modify or change the scope of the projects, the project agreements or the budgets relating to the projects; and
• enter into hedging agreements other than those specified in the affirmative covenants.

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Events of default

The bank facility contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to:

• failure to pay any amounts payable when due;
• material breaches of representations and warranties;
• failure to observe certain covenants or to remedy in a timely manner breaches of covenants;
• events of bankruptcy and insolvency;
• certain judgments;
• failure to obtain, renew or maintain necessary governmental approvals;
• failure to complete the Wood River or Fairmont plant by June 30, 2009;
• abandonment of the construction or operation of the Wood River or Fairmont plant;
• material damage to either plant with insufficient insurance coverage;
• filing of an environmental claim that could reasonably be expected to materially harm our business or ability to comply with our obligations; and
• certain change in control events relating to the Wood River and Fairmont plants or Cargill’s ownership of our common stock.

Fees and expenses

We are required to pay certain fees in connection with our bank facility, including a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum on the daily average unused portion of the construction loans and working capital loans and letter of credit fees.

Subordinated loan agreement

In September 2006, the LLC entered into a subordinated loan agreement with certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Third Point LLC. The subordinated loan agreement provides for up to $50 million of non-amortizing loans, all of which must be used for general corporate purposes, working capital or the development, financing and construction of our Wood River and Fairmont plants. The entire principal balance, if any, plus all accrued and unpaid interest will be due in March 2015.

The payments due under our subordinated loan agreement are secured by the subsidiary equity interests owned by the LLC and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the subsidiaries that will own our Wood River and Fairmont plants and the other subsidiaries of BioFuel Energy Corp. The guarantees are subordinated to the obligations of these subsidiaries under our bank facility.

As of March 31, 2007, $18 million of subordinated debt was outstanding. We expect to incur up to an additional $32 million in subordinated borrowings by May 31, 2007. Upon consummation of this offering, we intend to repay any outstanding subordinated debt and terminate the subordinated loan agreement. See ‘‘Use of proceeds’’.

Interest rates

Interest on outstanding subordinated borrowings will accrue at a rate of 15.0% per annum, compounded quarterly, and will be due on the last day of each calendar quarter. If an event of default occurs, that is not cured or waived, interest will accrue at a rate of 17.0% per annum.

Fees and expenses

We are required to pay certain fees in connection with our subordinated loan agreement. An initial fee of $2.5 million was paid in September 2006. Takedown fees equal to 5.0% of any subordinated borrowings will be paid at the time such borrowings are made.


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Tax increment financing

We have entered into an arrangement with the City of Wood River pursuant to which the City of Wood River has issued approximately $6.0 million in tax increment financing notes, or TIF notes, maturing in 2021, and bearing interest at an initial rate of 7.85%, subject to reset every five years, based upon specified prevailing market rates. The subsidiary constructing our Wood River plant is obligated to service and repay the TIF notes through property tax payments we make to the City of Wood River over the fifteen-year term of the TIF notes. The amount of the property tax payments will be based on the value of our land and buildings in Wood River. The TIF notes are guaranteed by the LLC.


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Description of capital stock

The following describes our common stock, Classclass B common stock, preferred stock, Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, depositary shares, LLC membership interests, LLC preferred membership interests, certificate of incorporation and bylaws that will be in effect following the recapitalization, which will take place immediately prior to this offering. We encourage you to read the complete text of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and LLC Agreement, which we will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. These documents will become effective at the time of the recapitalization without substantive change.

bylaws.

Authorized capital

Assuming a share price at the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus, ourCapital

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 50 million shares of Classclass B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5 million shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00$0.01 per share, of which 4,768,044 shares of common stock, 18,231,956 shares of Class B common stock and no shares of preferred stock will be issued and outstanding upon completion of the recapitalization. Upon completion of the recapitalization, there will be two holders of record of our common stock and 30 holders of record of our Class B common stock. Immediately following the completion of this offering, there are expected to be 14,268,044 shares of common stock outstanding, 18,231,956 shares of Class B common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

share.

Common stock

Stock

Common stock

Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote.  Holders of our common stock and Classclass B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock.  However, weWe do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.  ToHowever, to ensure that our public stockholders are treated fairly with our historicalthe holders of membership interests in the LLC equity investors,(other than BioFuel Energy Corp.), it is intended that all distributions received from the LLC, other than distributions to cover tax obligations and other corporate expenses, will be dividended to holders of our common stock. See ‘‘Dividend policy’’.

In the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution.

The holders of our common stock have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights.  There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The shares of common stock offered in this offering, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Class B common stock

Common Stock

Holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will receivealso hold one share of Classclass B common stock for each membership interest held.  Shares of our Classclass B common stock will entitle the holder to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote.  If a holder of our Classclass B common stock exchanges any of its membership interests in the LLC for shares of our common stock, the shares of our Classclass B common stock held by such holder and attributable to the exchanged LLC membership interests will automatically be transferred to BioFuel Energy Corp. and be retired without further action.


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Holders of our common stock and Classclass B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Holders of our Classclass B common stock willdo not have any right to receive dividends or to receive a distribution upon a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of BioFuel Energy Corp.

Preferred stock

Stock

Our Boardboard of Directors will havedirectors has the authority, subject to any limitations imposed by law or Nasdaq rules, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 5 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each series of such preferred stock.  These rights, preferences and privileges include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of that series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of common stock.  Upon consummation of this rights offering, our board of directors will designate and issue 2 million shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
The following description is a summary of the material terms of the certificate of designations for the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share.  A copy of the certificate of designations and the form of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock stock certificate will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
Shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represent a single series of our authorized preferred stock.  In this rights offering, we are offering depositary shares representing fractional interests in shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  The depositary will be the sole holder of shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  The holders of depositary shares will be required to exercise their proportional rights in the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock through the depositary as described under “—Description of the Depositary Shares.”
Twelve business days after the consummation of this rights offering, we expect to issue additional depositary shares to Cargill in order to make the Cargill Stock Payment.  The depositary shares to be issued to Cargill will be issued after the depositary shares that will be issued upon expiration of this rights offering but will have the same rights and preferences as the depositary shares that will be issued upon expiration of this rights offering.  In order to issue the depositary shares that will make up the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect to designate and issue and deposit with the depositary a number of additional shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that corresponds to the aggregate fractional interests in shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that the newly issued depositary shares represent.  In the event that an insufficient number of authorized shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock are available for such issuance and deposit with the depositary, we expect to establish an alternative method for satisfying the Cargill Stock Payment that is satisfactory to us, Cargill and the Backstop Parties.
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When issued against the consideration therefor, the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and any shares of our common stock issued upon the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.  The holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will have no preemptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe for stock, obligations, warrants or other securities of the Company of any class.
The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock is automatically convertible, if certain conditions are met, into shares of common stock as described below under “—Automatic Conversion.”
Dividends and Other Distributions
The holders of shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions (as applicable), when, as and if such dividends or distributions (as applicable) are paid to the holders of our common stock; provided that each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder to receive any such dividends or distributions (as applicable) in an amount equal to the aggregate dividends or distributions that would be entitled to be received by holders of a number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000.
We are only obligated to pay a dividend on the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock if our board of directors or an authorized committee of our board declares the dividend payable and we have assets that legally can be used to pay the dividend.
Automatic Conversion
Each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall, following the requisite stockholder approval, automatically convert into a number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000 (which we refer to as the “Conversion Rate”).  The requisite stockholder approval means that approval by the holders of our common stock and class B common stock of the authorization and issuance of all additional shares of common stock issuable (i) upon conversion of all shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock at the Conversion Rate and (ii) upon the exchange on a one-for-one basis of all membership interests in the LLC that would be received by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) following the conversion of all preferred membership interests they receive in the LLC’s concurrent private placement for membership interests.  To the extent necessary, the requisite stockholder approval would also include the authorization of all additional shares of class B common stock could adversely affectissuable upon the voting powerconversion of all preferred membership interests received by the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) in the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
Anti-dilution; Mergers
The Conversion Rate shall be subject to certain customary anti-dilution adjustments in the event of any dividend or other distribution payable in stock, stock split, reverse split, certain other recapitalizations or similar transactions or sales of common stock at a price below the rights price occurring after the date of issuance of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  The Conversion Rate will not be adjusted as a result of the Cargill Stock Payment.
In addition, in the event of any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which our common stock is exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or any other property, then in any such case the then outstanding shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed.
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Redemption
The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will not be redeemable.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive and to be paid out of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders, before any payment or distribution is made to holders of common stock or any other class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the original issue date of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior to or on a parity with the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock as to rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, but after any distribution on any class of our capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the issue date the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior to the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock as to rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference in an amount equal to $0.56 multiplied by the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment by 2,000,000, plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any.  If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding up or dissolution, the amounts payable with respect to the liquidation preference of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and any class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the issue date, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock as to rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (which we refer to collectively as “parity stock”) are not paid in full, the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and the likelihoodparity stock will share equally and ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preference to which they are entitled.  After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to which they are entitled, the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Neither the sale, conveyance or other transfer of all or substantially all of our assets or business (other than in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up), nor our merger or consolidation into or with any other person, will be deemed to be our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
The certificate of designations for the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will not contain any provision requiring funds to be set aside to protect the liquidation preference of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock even though it is substantially in excess of the par value thereof.
Voting Rights
The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by Delaware law from time to time.
We will not, without the approval of at least a majority of the shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding (in the aggregate, voting together as a class):
·authorize or issue additional shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock of the same series (provided that no such approval shall be required in respect of any shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to be authorized and issued in connection with the Cargill Stock Payment);
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·authorize or issue any other series of preferred equity securities which are senior or on parity with respect to liquidation or dividend payments to the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; or
·amend our certificate of incorporation and bylaws if the amendment would adversely affect the rights, preferences or privileges of the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Listing
There will not be any trading market for the shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.

Description of the Depositary Shares
The following description is a summary of the material terms of the depositary shares.  The deposit agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
Each depositary share will represent a fractional interest in a share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the fraction determined by dividing 2,000,000 by the total number of depositary shares actually purchased in this rights offering and pursuant to the Backstop Commitment and will initially be evidenced by a global security, as defined in and described under “—Book-entry, Settlement and Clearance.”  Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each depositary share will be entitled to all rights and preferences of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, including rights upon conversion, in proportion to the fraction of a share of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock such depositary share represents.
In this section, references to “holders” of depositary shares mean those who have depositary shares registered in their own names on the books maintained by the depositary and not indirect holders who will own beneficial interests in depositary shares registered in the street name of, or issued in book-entry form through, DTC prior to the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock. You should review the special considerations that thoseapply to indirect holders as described under “—Book-entry, Settlement and Clearance.”
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will deliver any cash it receives in respect of dividends or other distributions on the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares held by such holders, on the date of receipt or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Record dates for the payment of dividends on the depositary shares will be the same as the corresponding record dates for the payment of dividends on the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
If the depositary determines that any dividend or other distribution of property other than cash is subject to tax or other governmental charge that the depositary is obligated by law to withhold, the depositary may dispose of all or any portion of such property, at a public or private sale, as the depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such tax or charge, and the depositary will distribute the net proceeds of such sale or the balance of any such property, after deduction of such tax or charge, to holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares that they hold.  If the depositary determines, however, that any distribution of cash or other property to certain holders (but not all holders) is subject to withholding tax, the depositary will reduce the amount of such cash distribution to such holders or use its best efforts to sell only the non-cash property distributable to such holders, as the case may be.
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Conversion of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
Each share of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall, following the requisite stockholder approval, automatically convert into a number of shares of common stock at the Conversion Rate.  For a full description of the terms and conditions on which the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock is automatically convertible, see “—Description of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.”
Upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, each depositary share shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one share of common stock and, upon the distribution of one share of common stock to the holder of each such depositary share, each such depositary share shall be automatically cancelled and have no further value. The depositary will distribute the shares of common stock it receives upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to the holders of the depositary shares entitled to receive such distribution in proportion to the number of outstanding depositary shares held by each such holder, on the date of receipt or as soon as practicable thereafter.  No fractional shares of our common stock or securities representing fractional shares of our common stock will be delivered to holders of depositary shares.  Any fractional interest in a share of our common stock resulting from the proportional distribution of common stock following the conversion of any shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will be paid in cash based on the per share closing price (as defined in the following sentence) of our common stock at the close of business on the trading day next preceding the date of conversion.  The “per share closing price” of our common stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) on such date as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market (or such other principal national securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or authorized for quotation or, if not so listed or authorized for quotation, the average of the midpoint of the last bid and ask prices for our common stock on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by us for this purpose).
The Conversion Rate shall be subject to certain customary anti-dilution adjustments in the event of any dividend paymentsor other distribution payable in stock, stock split, reverse split, certain other recapitalizations or similar transactions or sales of common stock at a price below the rights price occurring after the date of issuance of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.  In the event that the Conversion Rate of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock is adjusted, the one-for-one effective conversion ratio of depositary shares for common stock shall be correspondingly adjusted.  For example, if the Conversion Rate were to double as a result of a two-for-one stock split of our common stock, holders of depositary shares would then be entitled to receive two shares of common stock (rather than one) for each depositary share held.
In the event of any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which our common stock is exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or any other property, then in any such case the then outstanding shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed, and paymentsthe holders of the depositary shares shall then be entitled to receive such other stock or securities, cash or any other property in exchange for their depositary shares.
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Voting the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will, as soon as practicable after receiving such notice, mail the information contained in the notice to the holders of the depositary shares.  Each holder of depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the voting of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, may instruct the depositary to vote the amount of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares.  To the extent practicable, the depositary will vote the amount of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by any depositary shares in accordance with the voting instructions it receives (if any) from holders of such depositary shares.  If any holder of depositary shares instructs the depositary to vote a fractional interest of a share of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, the depositary will aggregate such interest with all other fractional interests with the same voting instruction and will submit the number of whole votes resulting from such aggregation.  We will take all reasonable action that the depositary determines is necessary to enable the depositary to vote as instructed.  If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares representing the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, it will not vote such amount of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares.
Withdrawal Rights
The holders of depositary shares will not have any rights to withdraw the shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares.
Redemption
The depositary shares will not be redeemable.
Form and Notices
The Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock will initially be issued in registered form to the depositary, and the depositary shares will be issued in book-entry only form through DTC, as described under “—Book-entry, Settlement and Clearance.”  The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports, notices and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
We and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time.  However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.
The deposit agreement will terminate if there has been a final distribution in respect of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, including in connection with the final conversion of all Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock for common stock or with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and the conversion, repayment, redemption or distribution proceeds, as the case may be, have been distributed to the holders of the depositary shares.
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Resignation and Removal of the Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so.  We also may, at any time, remove the depositary.  Any resignation or removal will take effect upon liquidation. In addition,the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment.  We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal.
Charges of the Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements.  We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, the issuance of preferreddepositary shares, the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and the delivery of the common stock couldreceived upon such conversion.  You will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for your account.
Depositary
The depositary for the depositary shares will be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock and the depositary shares is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
Listing
The depositary shares will not be listed for trading on any stock exchange. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the development or liquidity of any market for the depositary shares.
Book-entry, Settlement and Clearance
The Global Security
The depositary shares will be initially issued in the form of a single registered security in global form (the “global security”).  Upon issuance, the global security will be deposited with the depositary as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
·upon deposit of the global security with the depositary as DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the global security to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the subscription agent; and
·ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global security).
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Beneficial interests in the effectglobal security may not be exchanged for securities in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.
Book-entry Procedures for the Global Security
All interests in the global security will be subject to the operations and procedures of delaying, deferringDTC.  We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors.  The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. We are not responsible for those operations or preventing a changeprocedures.
DTC has advised us that it is:
·a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;
·a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;
·a member of the Federal Reserve System;
·a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and
·a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants.  DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.  Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in controlDTC.
So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of our c ompany without further actionthe global security, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the depositary shares represented by the stockholders.

global security for all purposes under the deposit agreement.  Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the global security:

·will not be entitled to have securities represented by the global security registered in their names;
·will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated securities; and
·will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the deposit agreement for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the depositary under the deposit agreement.
As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in the global security must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of securities under the deposit agreement (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest).
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Payments of dividends with respect to the depositary shares represented by the global security will be made by the depositary to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global security.  Neither we nor the depositary will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in the global security, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those beneficial interests.
Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those DTC participants or indirect participants and DTC.
Depositary shares in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the depositary shares only if:
·DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global security and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or
·DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days.
LLC Membership Interests
Holders of membership interests

Holders of in the LLC membership interests willdo not have any voting rights in the LLC.  They will,are, however, be entitled to pro rata economic benefits in the LLC, including the right to receive distributions authorized by the Manager,distributions, including distributions to fund tax liabilities.  Upon a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the LLC, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors, holders of LLC membership interests will be entitled to share in the remaining assets of the LLC assets available for distribution.  Holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) may exchange their membership interests for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications.  Holders of membership interests (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) also hold one share of class B common stock for each membership interest held that entitles the holder to the rights described under “—Common Stock—Class B Common Stock.”

LLC Preferred Membership Interests; Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement

Immediately prior to the consummation of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the LLC will amend and restate its limited liability company agreement to add the preferred membership interests as a new class of LLC membership interest.  Immediately following the consummation of the LLC’s concurrent private placement, the holders of membership interests in the LLC (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will be entitled to receive preferred membership interests in amounts to be determined in accordance with their exercise of LLC basic purchase privileges and LLC additional purchase privileges (and, in the case of the Backstop Parties, determined in accordance with their exercise of the Backstop Commitment for preferred membership interests).  Immediately following the consummation of this rights offering, BioFuel Energy Corp. will contribute all proceeds of this rights offering to the LLC, and the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of preferred membership interests equal to the number of depositary shares that BioFuel Energy Corp. issued in this rights offering.

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The number of preferred membership interests in the LLC held by BioFuel Energy Corp. shall at all times equal the number of depositary shares outstanding.  As a result, concurrent with the making of the Cargill Stock Payment, the LLC will issue to BioFuel Energy Corp. a number of preferred membership interests equal to the number of depositary shares issued to Cargill in the Cargill Stock Payment.

Distributions

The preferred membership interests will be entitled to pro rata distributions from the LLC, on an equivalent one-to-one basis with the membership interests, including the right to receive authorized distributions, including distributions to fund tax liabilities.

Automatic Conversion

Following the requisite stockholder approval, all preferred membership interests will automatically convert into membership interests and the holders of the preferred membership interests (other than BioFuel Energy Corp.) will also receive one share of Classclass B common stock for each membership interest held thatreceived upon conversion.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the LLC, the holder of each preferred membership interest will entitlebe entitled to receive and to be paid out of the hol derassets available for distribution to the members of the LLC, before any payment or distribution is made to holders of the membership interests, a liquidation preference per preferred membership interest in an amount equal to $0.56.  After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to which they are entitled, the holders of the preferred membership interests will have no right or claim to any of the LLC’s remaining assets in the event of the LLC’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights

Holders of preferred membership interests will generally not have any voting rights described above under ‘‘—Common Stock—in the LLC.  However, the LLC will not, without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the preferred membership interests, (i) authorize or issue additional preferred membership interests (provided that no such approval shall be required in respect of any preferred membership interests to be authorized and issued in connection with the Cargill Stock Payment) or (ii) authorize or issue any other series of preferred interests which are senior or on parity with respect to liquidation or dividend payments to the preferred membership interests (provided that no such approval shall be required in respect of any class B preferred membership interests to be authorized and issued in connection with a LLC Backstop Reallocation).

Transfer

A holder of preferred membership interests will not be permitted to transfer its preferred membership interests except (i) in the case of an individual, to immediate family members or to trusts or other entities in which all the beneficial interests are held by the individual or immediate family members and (ii) in the case of entities, to affiliates.

LLC Class B common stock’’.

Anti-takeover effectsPreferred Membership Interests


           In certain circumstances in connection with a LLC Backstop Reallocation, the LLC will issue class B preferred membership interests to one or more of the Backstop Parties.  See “The Rights Offering—Rights Offering Letter Agreement—Reduction by Backstop Parties” for a description of the circumstances under which the class B preferred membership interests will be issued.  The class B preferred membership interests, if issued, would have the same terms as the preferred membership interests (including as to conversion, distribution, liquidation and other rights), except that, upon conversion of such class B preferred membership interests, holders of such class B preferred membership interests would receive membership interests in the LLC that would not be exchangeable for shares of our certificatecommon stock. 
If any class B preferred membership interests are issued, the LLC will amend and restate its limited liability company agreement to add the class B preferred membership interests as a new class of incorporationLLC membership interest and bylaws

to provide for the restriction on exchangeability of the membership interests in the LLC that such holders of class B preferred membership interests would receive upon conversion.  Although the membership interests issuable upon conversion of the class B preferred membership interests will not be exchangeable for shares of our common stock, our board of directors and the holders thereof may, in the future, agree to any such exchange.

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Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our Boardboard of Directors.directors.  These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our company, even in those cases where such a transaction may be at a premium to the current market price of our common stock.

These provisions include:

Action by written consent; special meetingsWritten Consent; Special Meetings of stockholders

Stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation will provideprovides that stockholder action (other than actions by holders of preferred stock, if any) can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting.  Our bylaws will provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be called by the chairman of the Board,board, the Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer or the President,president, or pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Boardboard of Directors.directors.  Stockholders willare not be permitted to call a special meeting or to require the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors to call a special meeting.

Advance notice procedures

Notice Procedures

Our bylaws will establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of


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candidates for election to the Boardboard of Directors.directors.  Stockholders at an annual meeting will be able to consider only proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given our Secretarysecretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting.  Although the bylaws willdo not give the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, the bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise atte mptingattempting to obtain control of BioFuel Energy Corp.

Authorized but unissued shares

Unissued Shares

Subject to Nasdaq listing requirements, our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval.  These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans.  The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock may also have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company.

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Certain other provisionsOther Provisions of our charterOur Certificate of Incorporation and bylawsBylaws and the Delaware law

Law

Board of Directors

Our certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors will be fixed in the manner provided in our bylaws.  Our bylaws provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time solely pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board. Upon consummationboard.  Our board of this offering, our Board of Directors will have fivedirectors currently has seven members.

Section 203 of Delaware Law

Our certificate of incorporation expressly states that we have elected not to be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.  Subject to exceptions specified therein, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a publicly-heldpublicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a ‘‘business combination’’“business combination” with an ‘‘interested stockholder’’,“interested stockholder,” including general mergers or consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares of the corporation, for a three-year period following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder.

Except as otherwise specified in Section 203, an ‘‘interested stockholder’’“interested stockholder” is defined to include:

• ·any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three years immediately prior to the date of determination; and
• ·the affiliates and associates of any such person.

The statute is intended to prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts.  Although we have elected to opt out of the statute’s provisions, we could elect to be subject to Section 203 in the future.

Limitations on liability

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and indemnification of officers and directors

Management

The Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary


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damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties. Our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a directorfollowing tables set forth information with respect to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. The DGCL does not permit exculpation for liability:

• for breachbeneficial ownership of duty of loyalty;
• for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law;
• under Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends); or
• for transactions from which the director derived improper personal benefit.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we shall indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees and agents for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, may otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

Registration rights

For a description of the registration rights that will be held by our historical equity investors following the recapitalization and this offering, see ‘‘Shares eligible for future sale — Registration rights’’.

Transfer agent and registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and class B common stock as of November 12, 2010, by:

·each person who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of any class of our outstanding shares of common stock;
·each member of our board of directors who beneficially owns any class of shares of our common stock;
·each of our executive officers; and
·all members of our board of directors and our executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is Mellon Investor Services.

Nasdaq listing

We have applieddetermined in accordance with the SEC rules and includes voting or investment power with respect to havethe securities. Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to our knowledge, each stockholder named in the following table possesses sole voting and investment power over the shares listed, except for those jointly owned with that person’s spouse.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for all beneficial owners is c/o BioFuel Energy Corp., 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202. At the close of business on November 12, 2010, there were 25,465,728 shares of common stock outstanding, net of 809,606 shares held in treasury, and 7,111,985 shares of class B common stock outstanding, which together constitute a total of 32,577,713 shares of outstanding voting shares of the Company. Each share of common stock and class B common stock is entitled to one vote. The percentage of common stock outstanding was determined based on 32,577,713 shares outstanding at the record date.  This table does not give effect to any changes that may result from this rights offering or the LLC’s concurrent private placement.  It is possible that the beneficial ownership of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates and the Third Point Funds will increase as a result of this rights offering and the LLC’s concurrent private placement.
Beneficial Owner
 
Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
  
Number of
Shares of
Class B
Common
Stock
  
Options
Exercisable
  
Total
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  
Percentage of
Common
Stock
Outstanding
 
Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates
 2 Grand Central Tower
 140 East 45th Street, 24th floor
 New York, NY 10017 (1)
  7,542,104   4,311,396      11,853,500   36.4%  
Third Point Funds
 390 Park Avenue, 18th floor
 New York, NY 10022 (2)
  5,803,284         5,803,284   17.8%  
Cargill, Incorporated
 P.O. Box 9300
 Minneapolis, MN 55440
  1,675,596         1,675,596   5.1%  
Thomas J. Edelman (3)
  2,090,093   1,352,811      3,442,904   10.6%  
Scott H. Pearce (4)
  465,416   478,837   45,000   989,253   3.0%  
Kelly G. Maguire (5)
  42,000      70,500   112,500   * 
Mark L. Zoeller (6)
        21,000   21,000   * 
Elizabeth K. Blake (7)
  7,500      15,000   22,500   * 
David Einhorn (8)
  12,500      15,000   27,500   * 
Richard I. Jaffee (9)
  7,500      15,000   22,500   * 
John D. March (10)
  7,500      15,000   22,500   * 
Mark W. Wong (11)
  7,500      135,000   142,500   * 
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group, 8 persons (12)
  8,092,020   4,790,233   331,500   13,213,753   42.2%  

*less than 1%

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(1)Greenlight Capital, Inc. (“Greenlight Inc.”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 5,221,530 shares of common stock held by Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners.  Greenlight Capital, L.L.C. (“Greenlight L.L.C.”) is the sole general partner of Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., and as such has voting and dispositive power over 574,226 shares of common stock and 3,885,970 shares of class B common stock held by Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P. DME Advisors, LP (“DME Advisors”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., and as such has voting and dispositive power over 1,447,443 shares of common stock held by Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.  DME Management GP, LLC (“DME Management GP”) is the sole general partner of Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 61,450 shares of common stock and 425,426 shares of class B common stock held by Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP.  DME Capital Management, LP (“DME Management”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., and as such has voting and dispositive power over 298,905 shares of common stock and 425,426 shares of class B common stock held by Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd.  DME Advisors GP, LLC (“DME GP”) is the general partner of DME Advisors and DME Management, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 1,746,348 shares of common stock and 425,426 shares of class B common stock. David Einhorn, one of our directors, is the principal of Greenlight Inc., Greenlight L.L.C., DME Advisors, DME Management GP, DME Management and DME GP, and as such has sole voting and sole dispositive power over 7,542,104 shares of common stock and 4,311,396 shares of class B common stock held by these affiliates of Greenlight, Inc. Mr. Einhorn disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
(2)Includes shares held of record by Third Point Offshore Master Fund, L.P., Third Point Partners LP, Third Point Partners Qualified LP and Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., which are investment funds managed by Third Point LLC, and 224,484 shares held by an individual we believe to be affiliated with Third Point LLC.

(3)Includes 1,156,834 shares of class B common stock subject to forfeiture under the True-Up Agreement described in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 6, 2010, and 93,534 shares of common stock owned of record by Mr. Edelman’s wife, Ingrid O. Edelman, and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Edelman’s family members, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Edelman disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares of common stock, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.

(4)Includes 338,434 shares of class B common stock held in escrow and subject to forfeiture under the True-Up Agreement described in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 6, 2010.  Includes options to purchase 45,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Pearce under our compensation plan for employees.

(5)Includes options to purchase 70,500 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Maguire under our compensation program for employees.

(6)Includes options to purchase 21,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Zoeller under our compensation program for employees.

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(7)Includes 7,500 shares of restricted common stock and options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock granted to Ms. Blake under our compensation program for non-employee directors.

(8)Includes 12,500 shares of restricted common stock and options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Einhorn under our compensation program for non-employee directors. Includes only shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Einhorn. See note 1.

(9)Includes 7,500 shares of restricted common stock and options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Jaffee under our compensation program for non-employee directors.

(10)Includes 7,500 shares of restricted common stock and options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. March under our compensation program for non-employee directors.

(11)Includes 7,500 shares of restricted common stock and options to purchase 135,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Wong under our compensation program for non-employee directors.

(12)Includes shares held by Greenlight Capital, Inc., which is controlled by our director, Mr. Einhorn.

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the receipt and exercise of the right to subscribe for depositary shares representing fractional interests in Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “subscription rights”) by holders of our common stock listed onand of the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ‘‘BIOF’’. There has been no public market foracquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock prior(into which the depositary shares are effectively convertible).  This discussion does not address the tax consequences to this offering.


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Shares eligible for future sale

Priormembership interests in BioFuel Energy, LLC of the LLC purchase privileges to this offering, there has been no public market forpurchase preferred membership interests granted in connection with the LLC’s concurrent private placement.  This discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular holder’s ownership of subscription rights, depositary shares or shares of our common stock.  Although we have applied for listing of theThis discussion applies only to holders that hold subscription rights, depositary shares and shares of our common stock on Nasdaq, we cannot assure you that a significant public marketas capital assets for our common stock will develop or be sustained. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares or the availability of shares for sale will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. As described below, only a limited number of shares, other than the shares sold in this offering, will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to contractualtax purposes and legal restrictions on resale. Sales of our common stock in the public market after the restrictions lapse, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Upon completion of this offering, we expect to have 14,268,044 outstanding shares of common stock, (or 15,693,044 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) and 18,231,956 outstanding shares of Class B common stock. Of these shares, the 9,500,000 shares sold in this offering, or 10,925,00 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act except for any shares purchased by one of our ‘‘affiliates’’ as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Alldoes not address all of the shares outstanding other thantax consequences that may be relevant to holders subject to special rules, such as:

·regulated investment companies;

·real estate investment trusts;

·certain financial institutions;

·dealers and certain traders in securities or foreign currencies;

·insurance companies;

·persons holding subscription rights, depositary shares and shares of our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion transaction or integrated transaction;

·persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

·persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;

·tax-exempt organizations; and

·persons holding subscription rights, depositary shares and shares of our common stock that own or are deemed to own 10% or more of our voting shares.

This discussion is based upon the shares sold in this offering will be ‘‘restricted securities’’ withintax laws of the meaningUnited States including the Internal Revenue Code of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may not be sold other than through registration under the Securities Act or under an exemption from registration, such1986, as the one provided by Rule 144 described be low.

In addition, upon consummation of this offering, our historical LLC equity investors will beneficially own membership interests in the LLC. Pursuantamended to the termsdate hereof (the “Code”), administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, as of our certificate of incorporation, our historical LLC equity investors could from timethe date hereof. These laws are subject to time exchange their membership interests inchange, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion does not address U.S. state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences.


If a partnership holds the LLC forsubscription rights, depositary shares or shares of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. These sharesthe status of common stock would be ‘‘restricted securities’’, as defined in Rule 144. However, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with our historical equity investors that would require us to register under the Securities Act these shares of common stock. See ‘‘ — Registration rights agreement’’ and ‘‘Certain relationships and related party transactions — Registration rights agreement’’.

Eligibility of restricted shares for sale in the public market

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person, or persons whose shares are aggregated, who has beneficially owned restricted securities for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, and who files a Form 144 with respect to this sale, will be entitled to sell within any three month period a number of shares of common stock that does not exceed the greater of:

• 1.0% of the then outstanding shares of our common stock, or approximately 142,680 shares immediately after this offering; or
• the average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed on Form 144.

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to restrictions relating to manner of salepartner and the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 144(k)

A person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any time during the 90 days immediately preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned his or her shares for at least two years, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell


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these shares of common stock pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard to the volume limitations, manner of sale provisions, public information or notice requirements of Rule 144. Affiliates must always sell pursuant to Rule 144, even after the applicable holding periods have been satisfied.

Lock-up agreements

For a descriptiontax treatment of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters that restrict sales ofpartnership. A partner in a partnership holding subscription rights, depositary shares by us, our executive officers and Directors and holders of substantially all of our outstanding capital stock, see ‘‘Underwriting’’.

Registration rights agreement

We will enter into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which we may be required to register the sale ofor shares of our common stock held by our historical equity investors (oris urged to consult its own tax advisor with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of its investment.


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YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE RECEIPT AND EXERCISE OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS AND THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, holders of the depositary shares will generally be acquired by such investors upon exchangetreated as the owners of their membership interests in the LLC forunderlying shares of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.

TAX CONSEQUENCES TO U.S. HOLDERS

The following section applies to you only if you are a “U.S. holder.” For this purpose, a “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of subscription rights, depositary shares or shares of our common stock) and certain of their transferees. Under the registration rights agreement, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, our historical equity investors will have the right to request us to register the sale of their shares and may require us to make available shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time overstock (other than an extended period. In addition, our historical equity investors will have the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings requested by our other historical equity investorsentity or initiated by us. Such securities registered under any registration statement will be availablearrangement that is treated as a partnership for sale in the open market unless restrictions apply.


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Material United States federal tax consequences
for non-United States stockholders

This is a general summary of material United StatesU.S. federal income and estate tax considerations with respect to your acquisition, ownership and disposition of common stock if you purchase your common stock in this offering, you hold the common stock as a capital asset and you are a beneficial owner of shares other than:

purposes) that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• ·a citizen or resident of the United States;

• ·a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision of the United States;thereof; or

• ·an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United StatesU.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source;source.
• a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or
• a trust that existed on August 20, 1996, was treated as a United States person on August 19, 1996, and elected to be treated as a United States person.

This summary does not address all


Taxation of the United States federal income and estate tax considerationsSubscription Rights

This discussion assumes that may be relevant to you in lightthe depositary who holds Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (which is automatically convertible into shares of our common stock) on your particular circumstances or if you are a beneficial owner subject to special treatment under United Statesbehalf is acting as your agent for U.S. federal income tax laws (suchpurposes.

Receipt of the Subscription Rights

The receipt of the subscription rights in connection with this rights offering should be treated as a ‘‘controlled foreign corporation’’, a ‘‘passive foreign investment company’’, a company that accumulates earningsnontaxable stock distribution with respect to avoid United Statesour common stock (the “Original Shares”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If the fair market value of the subscription rights you receive is less than 15% of the fair market value of your Original Shares (with respect to which the subscription rights are distributed) on the date you receive the subscription rights, your subscription rights should be allocated a foreign tax-exempt organization,zero basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless you affirmatively elect to allocate your basis in the Original Shares between your Original Shares and your subscription rights in proportion to their relative fair market values determined on the date you receive the subscription rights.  This election must be made in the tax return for the taxable year in which the subscription rights are received.  On the other hand, if the fair market value of the subscription rights received is 15% or greater than the fair market value of your Original Shares (with respect to which the subscription rights are distributed) on the date you receive your subscription rights, then your basis in your Original Shares should be allocated between your Original Shares and the subscription rights in proportion to their relative fair market values determined on the date you receive the subscription rights.

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Exercise of the Subscription Rights

The exercise of the subscription rights by or on behalf of you should generally not be a financial institution, a broker or dealertaxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Your tax basis in securities, an insurance company, a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust, a person who holds common stock as partthe new shares of a hedging or conversion transaction or as partSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock acquired upon exercise of a short-sale or straddle,the subscription rights should equal the sum of the price paid for the new shares and your tax basis (as determined above), if any, in the subscription rights you exercised.  The holding period of the new shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock should begin on the day the subscription rights are exercised.

Expiration of the Subscription Rights

In the event that you allow your subscription rights to expire without exercising them, the tax basis in your Original Shares should be equal to their tax basis immediately before your receipt of the subscription rights (and, accordingly, the tax basis in your subscription rights should be deemed to be zero) and, therefore, you should not recognize any loss upon the expiration of the subscription rights.  If the subscription rights expire without exercise after you have disposed of all or a former United States citizen or resident). This summary does not discuss any aspectportion of United States federal alternative minimum tax, state, local or non-United States taxation. Th is summary is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (‘‘Code’’), Treasury regulations, judicial opinions, and published positions of the United States Internal Revenue Service (‘‘IRS’’), all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary is not intended as tax advice.

If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common stock,your Original Shares, you should consult your own tax advisor.

WE URGE PROSPECTIVE NON-UNITED STATES STOCKHOLDERS TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-UNITED STATES INCOME, AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Dividends

In general, any distributions we makeadvisor regarding the ability to you with respect torecognize a loss (if any) on the expiration of the subscription rights.


Conversion of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock

The automatic conversion of your shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock will generally not be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Your tax basis in the new shares of common stock that constitute dividends for United States federal incomereceived upon conversion will equal your aggregate tax purposes will be subject to United States withholding tax at a ratebasis (as determined above) in the shares of 30%Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock converted.  The holding period of the gross amount, unlessnew shares of common stock you are eligible for a reduced ratereceive upon conversion will equal your holding period (as determined above) in the shares of withholding tax under an applicableSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock converted.

Taxation of Our Common Stock

Distributions on Our Common Stock

Any distributions of cash or property made with respect to our common stock generally must be included in your income tax treaty and you provide proper certification of your eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN). A distribution will constitute aas ordinary dividend for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”) as determined underfor U.S. federal income tax purposes.  To the Code. Anyextent that the amount of any distribution not constituting a dividendexceeds our E&P, those excess amounts will be treated first as reducinga tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your shares of our common stock and, to the extent it exceeds your basis,thereafter, as capital gain.

Dividends we pay


Sale or other Disposition of Our Common Stock

Gain or loss realized by you on the sale or other taxable disposition of shares of our common stock will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in your shares of our common stock and your amount realized on the disposition.  Gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held our common stock for more than one year.  If you are an individual who holds our common stock for more than one year, you may be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates.  The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends on our common stock, and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock may be subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless you are an exempt recipient or, in the case of backup withholding, you provide a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. The amount of any backup withholding will generally be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

This section applies to you if you are a “non-U.S. holder.”  A “non-U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of subscription rights, depositary shares or shares of our common stock (other than an entity or arrangement that are effectively connected with your conduct ofis treated as a trade or business within the United States (and, if anpartnership for U.S. federal income tax treaty applies, are attributablepurposes) that is not a U.S. holder.

Taxation of the Subscription Rights and Our Common Stock

This discussion assumes that the depositary who holds Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (which is automatically convertible into shares of our common stock) on your behalf is acting as your agent for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Receipt, Exercise and Expiration of the Subscription Rights

In general, you should not be subject to a

U.S. federal income tax (or any withholding thereof) on the receipt, exercise or expiration of the subscription rights.

TableSale or other Disposition of ContentsOur Common Stock

United States permanent establishment maintained by you) generally


In general, you will not be subject to United States withholding tax if you comply with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Instead, such dividends generally will be subject to United StatesU.S. federal income tax net of certain deductions, at the same graduated individual or corporate rates applicable to United States persons. If you are a corporation, effectively connected income may also be subject to a ‘‘branch profits tax’’ at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty). Dividends that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business but that under an applicable income tax treaty are not attributable to a United States permanent establishment maintained by you may be eligible for a reduced rate of United Statesany withholding tax under such treaty, provided you comply with certification and disclosure requirements necessary to obtain treaty benefits.

Sale or other disposition of common stock

You generally will not be subject to United States federal income taxthereof) on any gain realized upon theon a sale or other disposition of your shares ofour common stock by you unless:


• ·the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, underif an applicable income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment you maintain)establishment);
• ·you are an individual, you hold your shares of common stock as capital assets, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and you meet other conditions, and you are not eligible for relief under an applicable income tax treaty;conditions; or
• ·we are or have been a ‘‘United“United States real property holding corporation’’corporation” for United StatesU.S. federal income tax purposes and you hold or have held, directly or indirectly, at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding disposition or your holding period for your shares of common stock,the subscription rights, more than 5% of our common stock.stock (including subscription rights for our common stock).

Gain that is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment) generally will be subject to United StatesU.S. federal income tax, net of certain deductions, at the same rates applicable to United StatesU.S. persons.  If you are a corporation, the brancha “branch profits tax” of 30% (or a lower rate prescribed in an applicable income tax treaty) also may apply to such effectively connected gain. If the gain from the sale or disposition of your shares is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States but under an applicable income tax treaty is not attributable to a permanent establishment you maintain in the United States, your gain may be exempt from United States tax under the treaty.

If you are described in the second bullet point above, you generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the gain realized, although the gain may be offset by some United States source capital losses realized during the same taxable year.

Any

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A domestic corporation is treated as a ‘‘United“United States real property holding corporation’’corporation” if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of (1) the fair market value of its United States real property interests, (2) the fair market value of its non-United States real property interests and (3) the fair market value of any other of its assets which are used or held for use in a trade or business.  Because BioFuel owns real property inIt is unclear whether the United States butCompany currently is or has not yet begun to produce ethanol, there isbeen a possibility that the IRS would seek to treat us as a U.S. real property holding corporation, even though such real property represents, and is expected to represent, less than 50% of our assets’ fair market value. If we are a ‘‘United“United States real property holding corporation’’corporation” within the relevant testing period.  If we are or were a “United States real property holding corporation” and if you are a non-United States stockholder and if you hold,non-U.S. holder that holds, or havehas held, directly or indirectly, at any time within a certainthe relevant testing period, more than 5% of our common stock (including subscription rights for our common stock), then you will generally be subject to United StatesU.S. income tax on your gain recognized upon a sale exchange or other disposition of your shares of our common stock. In addition, a buyer of your shares of our common stock will generally be required to withhold United StatesU.S. income tax at a rate of 10% of the sales price, and not of your gain recognized.price.  You are urged to consult your own tax advisorsadvisor regarding all United Statesthe U.S. federal income tax considerations of holding, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of our shares of common stock.



Any distributions of Contents

Information reporting and backupcash or property made with respect to our common stock generally will be subject to withholding

We must report annually tax to the IRS the amountextent paid out of dividends or other distributions we pay to you on your sharesour E&P, if any, at a rate of common stock and the amount of tax we withhold on these distributions regardless of whether withholding is required. The IRS may make copies of the information returns reporting those distributions and amounts withheld available to the tax authorities30% (or a lower rate prescribed in the country in which you reside pursuant to the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or exchange of information treaty.

The United States imposestreaty).  In order to obtain a backupreduced withholding tax on dividends and certain other types of paymentsrate, if applicable, you will be required to United States persons. Youprovide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your entitlement to benefits under a treaty. In addition, you will not be subject to withholding tax if you provide an IRS Form W-8ECI certifying that the distributions are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States; instead, you will be taxed as described under “—TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS—Sale or other Disposition of Our Common Stock” above.


Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends (including any withholding thereof) on our common stock will generally be subject to information reporting.  Unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a U.S. person, information reporting may apply to the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock and you may be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax on payments of dividends you receive on your sharesor the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock if you provide proper certification (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN) of your status as a non-United States person or you are a corporation or one of several types of entities and organizations that qualify for exemption (an ‘‘exempt recipient’’).

Information reporting and backup withholding generally are not required with respect to thestock.  The amount of any proceeds from the sale of your shares of common stock outside the United States through a foreign office of a foreign broker that does not have certain specified connections to the United States. However, if you sell your shares of common stock through a United States broker or the United States office of a foreign broker, the brokerbackup withholding will generally be required to report the amount of proceeds paid to you to the IRS and also backup withhold on that amount unless you provide appropriate certification (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN) to the broker of your statusallowed as a non-United States personrefund or you are an exempt recipient. Information reporting (and backup withholding if the appropriate certification is not provided) will also apply if you sell your shares of common stock through a foreign broker deriving more than a specified percentage of its income from United States s ources or having certain other connections to the United States, unless such broker has documenting evidence in its records that you are a non-U.S. person and certain other conditions are met or you are an exempt recipient.

Any amounts withheld with respect to your shares of common stock under the backup withholding rules will be refunded to you or creditedcredit against your United StatesU.S. federal income tax liability, if any, by the IRS ifprovided that the required information is timely furnished in a timely manner.

Estate tax

Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) ofto the United States atIRS.


ADDITIONAL WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS
Under recently-enacted legislation, the time of his or her death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes and thereforerelevant withholding agent may be subjectrequired to United States federal estate tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.


Tablewithhold 30% of Contents

Underwriting

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. are acting as joint book-runners and joint lead managers, and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., and Cowen and Company, LLC are acting as co-managers for this offering.

Weany dividends and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement covering the common stock to be sold in this offering. Each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, the numberproceeds of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name in the following table.


NameNumber of shares
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Cowen and Company, LLC
Total9,500,000

The underwriting agreement provides that if the underwriters take any of the shares presented in the table above, then they must take all of the shares. No underwriter is obligated to take any shares allocated to a defaulting underwriter except under limited circumstances. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of certain certificates, opinions and letters from us, our counsel and our independent registered public accounting firm.

The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock, subject to the prior sale of shares, and when, as and if such shares are delivered to and accepted by them. The underwriters will initially offer to sell shares to the public at the initial public offering price shown on the front cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may sell shares to securities dealers at a discount of up to $            per share from the initial public offering price. Any such securities dealers may resell shares to certainor other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $            per share from the initial public offering price. After the initial public offering, the underwriters may vary the public offering price and other selling terms.

If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number shown in the table above, the underwriters have the option to buy up to an additional 1,425,000 shares of common stock from us to cover such sales. They may exercise this option during the 30-day period from the date of this prospectus. If any shares are purchased under this option, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.


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The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.


Without
over-allotment
exercise
With full
over-allotment
exercise
Per share$$
Total$$

The underwriters have advised us that they may make short salesdisposition of our common stock in connection with this offering, resulting inpaid after December 31, 2012 to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. account holders and meets certain other requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is the sale bybeneficial owner of the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase pursuant to the underwriting agreement. The short position resulting from those short sales will be deemed a ‘‘covered’’ short position to the extentpayment unless such entity certifies that it does not exceedhave any substantial United States owners or provides the shares subjectname, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial United States owner and such entity meets certain other requirements.

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Plan of Distribution
On or about                , we will distribute the subscription rights and rights certificates to the underwriters’ over-allotment option and will be deemed a ‘‘naked’’ short position to the extent that it exceeds that number. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the trading price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investorsindividuals who purchase shares in this offering. The underwriters may reduce or close out their covered short position either by exercising the over-allotment opti on or by purchasing shares in the open market. In determining which of these alternatives to pursue, the underwriters will consider the price at which shares are available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Any ‘‘naked’’ short position will be closed out by purchasing shares in the open market. Similar to the other stabilizing transactions described below, open market purchases made by the underwriters to cover all or a portion of their short position may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock following this offering. As a result, our common stock may trade at a price that is higher than the price that otherwise may prevail in the open market.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, they may engage in transactions, including stabilizing bids or the imposition of penalty bids, that may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the shares of common stock at a level above that which may otherwise prevail in the open market. A ‘‘stabilizing bid’’ is a bid for or the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock. A ‘‘penalty bid’’ is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to claim the selling concession otherwise accruing to an underwriter or syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common stock originally sold by that underwriter or syndicate member is purchased by the underwriters in the open market pursuant to a stabilizing bid or to cover all or part of a syndicate short positi on. The underwriters have advised us that stabilizing bids and open market purchases may be effected on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

One or more of the underwriters may facilitate the marketing of this offering online directly or through one of its affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms and a prospectus online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, place orders online or through their financial advisor.

We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, excluding underwriting discounts, will be approximately $3.1 million.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

We, our executive officers and Directors and the holders of substantially all of our outstanding capital stock have agreed that for a period ending 180 days after the date of this


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prospectus, none of them will, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, offer to sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of anyowned shares of our common stock withoutas of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                , the prior written consentrecord date.

If you wish to exercise your subscription rights and purchase depositary shares, you should complete the rights certificate and return it with payment for the depositary shares to the subscription agent, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, at the following address:
By Mail:By Hand or Overnight Courier:
BNY Mellon Shareowner ServicesBNY Mellon Shareowner Services
Attn:  Corporate Actions Dept.Attn:  Corporate Actions, 27th Floor
P.O. Box 3301480 Washington Blvd
South Hackensack, NJ  07606Jersey City, NJ  07310
See “The Rights Offering—Method of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., except in limited circumstances.

The underwritersExercising Subscription Rights.”  If you have informed us that theyany questions, you should contact the information agent, Okapi Partners LLC, at (877) 869-0171 or by e-mail at info@okapipartners.com.

Other than the Rights Offering Letter Agreement as described herein, we do not intend salesknow of any existing agreements between or among any stockholder, broker, dealer, underwriter or agent relating to discretionary accounts to exceed 5%the sale or distribution of the total number ofdepositary shares, of our common stock offered by them and that no sales to discretionary accounts may be made without prior written approval of the customer.

We have applied to list our common stock onSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock which the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ‘‘BIOF’’. The underwriters intend to selldepositary shares of our common stock so as to meet the distribution requirements of this listing.

There has been no public market forrepresent fractional interests in or the common stock prior to this offering. We and the underwriters will negotiate the initial public offering price. In determining the initial public offering price, we and the underwriters expect to consider a number of factors in addition to prevailing market conditions, including:

• the history of and prospects for our industry;
• an assessment of our management;
• the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters;
• the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies;
• our earnings prospects and the present state of our development; and
• other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

From time to time in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certainissuable upon conversion of the underwritersSeries A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and their affiliates perform various financial advisory, investment banking and commercial banking services for us and our affiliates.

Selling restrictions

Notice to prospective investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of securities described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of securities may be offered to the public in that relevant member state at any time:

• to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
• to any legal entity that has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or
• in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
depositary shares.

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Each purchaser of securities described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a ‘‘qualified investor’’ within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

For purposes of this provision, the expression an ‘‘offer to the public’’ in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression ‘‘Prospectus Directive’’ means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.

The sellers of the securities have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

Notice to prospective investors in the United Kingdom

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (‘‘Qualified Investors’’) that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the ‘‘Order’’) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as ‘‘relevant persons’’). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant persons should not act or rely on this docume nt or any of its contents.

Notice to prospective investors in France

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the securities described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the securities has been or will be

• released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or
• used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the securities to the public in France.

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only

• to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Article L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Cod e monétaire et financier;
• to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
• in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Reglement G&eac ute;néral) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public a l’épargne).

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The securities may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with Articles L.411-1°, L.411-2°, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

Advertisement legends

One of the following legends should be inserted at the front of a preliminary offering document if, and only if, (a) either (x) the offering is a public offering in an European Economic Area member state or (y) the securities will be listed on a regulated market in the European Economic Area and (b) the preliminary offering document has not been approved by the relevant regulator.

United Kingdom

This document is an advertisement and not a prospectus approved by the Financial Services Authority.    Copies of the prospectus will, following publication, be available from BioFuel Energy Corp.’s registered office. Although it is intended that the prospectus will be approved by the Financial Services Authority as a prospectus prepared in accordance with the prospectus rules made under section 73A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, this document has not been so approved. Similarly, although it is intended that the prospectus will be made available to the public in accordance with the prospectus rules, this document has not been made available in accordance therewith.


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Legal matters

Matters

The validity of the securities issued in this offering and the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the receipt, exercise and expiration of the subscription rights issued in this offering will be passed upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, NY.
Experts
The underwriters have been represented by Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

Experts

Theaudited consolidated financial statements of BioFuel Energy Corp. as of December 31, 2006 and for the period from April 11, 2006 (inception) through December 31, 2006, and the related financial statement schedule includedincorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are includedso incorporated in reliance upon the report of suchGrant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements of BioFuel Solutions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006, the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through December 31, 2005 and for the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through June 30, 2006, includedauditing in giving said report.

Incorporation by Reference
We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements of Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, as of October 31, 2005 and for the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through October 31, 2005, included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

Where you can find more information

This prospectus summarizesspecific documents that are not delivered herewith. Copies of such documents are available at your request, without charge, from BioFuel Energy Corp., 1801 Broadway, Suite 1060, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attention: General Counsel. Our telephone number at that address is (303) 592-8110 and our website is www.bfenergy.com. The content of our website is not part of this prospectus.

In addition, we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus.  We incorporate by reference the documents listed below.  We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, a registration statementincluding any information “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form S-1 under8-K.

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We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus the Securities Act relating tofollowing documents filed with the sharesSEC:
·Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2010;
·
Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on May 14, 2010, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 filed with the SEC on August 16, 2010 and for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 filed with the SEC on November 12, 2010;
·Current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 6, 2010, May 25, 2010, June 3, 2010, July 15, 2010, September 3, 2010, September 27, 2010 and September 30, 2010; and
·Definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 6, 2010.
You may obtain a copy of our common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of a registration statement, does not containany or all of the information set forth in thereports or documents that have been incorporated by reference into this registration statement but not delivered with this prospectus at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the exhibits and schedules which are partfollowing address:
BioFuel Energy Corp.
Attention:  Corporate Secretary
1600 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, Colorado 80202
Telephone: (303) 640-6500
Any statements contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the registration statement. For further information about us and the common stock offered, see the registrationextent that a statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. The descriptions of each contract and document contained in this prospectus (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by reference into this prospectus) modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus except as so modified or superseded.
This prospectus or information incorporated by reference herein contains summaries of certain agreements that we have filed as exhibits to our various SEC filings, as well as certain agreements that we will enter into in connection with this offering.  The descriptions of these agreements contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference herein are summaries and as such, may not provide all of the information necessary to fully evaluate each contract or document described in this prospectus. For this reason, we refer you to the copy of each such contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

A copymaterial terms of the registration statement,definitive agreements.  Copies of the exhibitsdefinitive agreements will be made available without charge to you by making a written or oral request to us in the manner specified above.

Where You Can Find More Information
We make periodic filings and schedules theretoother filings required to be filed by us as a reporting company under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any other documentmaterials we file may be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained bywith the SEC at Station Place,the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from this office upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities in Washington, D.C.Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also review filings withIn addition, the SEC by accessingmaintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, accordingly, will file annual reports containing


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consolidated financial statements audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, quarterly reports containing unaudited consolidated financial data, current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.

We maintain an Internet site at www.bfenergy.com. Our website, and the information contained on or connected to that site, is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase securities. You will be ablecan find a link to inspect and copy suchour periodic reports, proxy statementsfilings and other information at the SEC’s public reference room and the website of the SEC referred to above.


Index to consolidated financial statements


Page
Financial statements of BioFuel Energy Corp.
Report of independent registered public accounting firmF-2
Consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006F-3
Consolidated statement of loss from inception on April 11, 2006 through December 31, 2006F-4
Consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity from inception on April 11, 2006 through December 31, 2006F-5
Consolidated statement of cash flows from inception on April 11, 2006 through December 31, 2006F-6
Notes to consolidated financial statementsF-7
Schedule IF-17
Financial statements of BioFuel Solutions, LLC
(a Delaware limited liability company)
Report of independent registered public accounting firmF-18
Consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005F-19
Consolidated statements of income (loss) and members’ equity for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from inception on January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and from inception on January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006F-20
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from inception on January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and from inception on January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006F-21
Notes to consolidated financial statementsF-22
Financial statements of Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC
(a Colorado limited liability company)
Report of independent registered public accounting firmF-25
Balance sheet as of October 31, 2005F-26
Statement of loss and members’ equity from inception on January 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005F-27
Statement of cash flows from inception on January 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005F-28
Notes to financial statementsF-29

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
BioFuel Energy Corp.
Denver, Colorado

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of BioFuel Energy Corp. and subsidiaries (a development stage company) (the ‘‘Company’’) as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the period from April 11, 2006 (inception) through December 31, 2006. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index to the financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BioFuel Energy Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period from April 11, 2006 (inception) to December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Denver, Colorado
March 14, 2007


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Consolidated balance sheet
December 31, 2006


Assets 
Current assets: 
Cash and equivalents$27,238,517
Prepaid expenses469,298
Total current assets27,707,815
Property, plant and equipment 
Land5,166,263
Construction in progress77,644,044
Furniture and fixtures87,381
 82,897,688
Accumulated depreciation(5,275
 82,892,413
Debt issuance costs, net9,404,273
Deferred offering costs1,469,638
Other assets7,273
Total assets$121,481,412
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity 
Current liabilities: 
Accounts payable$17,410,701
Accrued legal fees1,761,515
Other accrued expenses646,186
Total current liabilities19,818,402
Construction contract retainage3,017,087
Total liabilities22,835,489
Minority interest74,026,510
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10) 
Stockholders’ equity: 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding at December 31, 200610
Additional paid-in capital26,953,025
Deficit accumulated during development stage(2,333,622
Total stockholders’ equity24,619,413
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$121,481,412

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Consolidated statement of loss
from inception on April 11, 2006 through
December 31, 2006


General and administrative expenses 
Compensation expense$7,712,371
Other1,450,247
Interest income(11,312
Minority interest in loss of BioFuel Energy, LLC(6,817,684
Net loss$(2,333,622
Loss per share – basic and diluted (1,000 shares)$(2,334

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity
from inception on April 11, 2006 through
December 31, 2006


 Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Deficit Accumulated
During Development
Stage
Total Stockholders’
Equity
Balance at inception$$$$
Sale of common stock1026,953,02526,953,035
Net loss(2,333,622(2,333,622
Balance at December 31, 2006$10$26,953,025$(2,333,622$24,619,413

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Consolidated statement of cash flows
from inception on April 11, 2006 through
December 31, 2006


Cash flows from operating activities 
Net loss$(2,333,622
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: 
Minority interest(6,817,684
Share-based compensation expense6,094,615
Depreciation5,275
Other42,281
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions: 
Increase in prepaid expenses(469,298
Increase in accounts payable148,544
Increase in accrued legal fees6,840
Increase in other accrued expenses105,813
Increase in other assets(7,273
Net cash used in operating activities(3,224,509
  
Cash flows from investing activities 
Capital expenditures(58,653,350
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired(1,500,000
Net cash used in investing activities(60,153,350
  
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from sale of common stock26,953,035
Proceeds from minority members of BioFuel Energy, LLC75,170,649
Equity issuance costs(411,582
Debt issuance costs(9,104,184
Payments to predecessor owners(1,991,542
Net cash provided by financing activities90,616,376
Net increase in cash and equivalents27,238,517
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and equivalents, end of period$27,238,517
Non-cash investing and financing activities 
Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment$22,744,338
Non-cash debt and equity issuance costs1,761,209

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Organization and Nature of Business

BioFuel Energy Corp. (the ‘‘Company’’) was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on April 11, 2006 to invest solely in BioFuel Energy, LLC (‘‘Energy LLC’’), a limited liability company organized on January 25, 2006 to develop, build and operate a series of ethanol production facilities in the Midwestern United States. The Company has purchased 28.9% of the Class A Units of Energy LLC. The Company’s headquarters is located in Denver, Colorado.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) Interpretation No. 46, as revised, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (‘‘FIN 46R’’), applies to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties (‘‘variable interest entities’’). Variable interest entities (‘‘VIE’’) arefilings required to be consolidatedfiled by their primary beneficiaries. The Company has determined that Energyus as a reporting company with the SEC on our website at the following URL: www.bfenergy.com/investment.html.

93

You may refer any questions regarding this rights offering to Okapi Partners LLC, is a VIE. Pursuant to FIN 46R the Company has assessed its investment in Energyinformation agent:
Okapi Partners LLC and has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company has therefore consolidated Energy LLC effective May 1, 2006.
437 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor
New York, New York 10022

The aggregate size of Energy LLC is approximately $121 million, which is the carrying amount of the consolidated assets recorded on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company that are collateral for Energy LLC’s obligations. The nature and purpose of Energy LLC are described below. The beneficial interests of Energy LLC are payable solely from the cash flows of the assets held by Energy LLC.

Since its inception, Energy LLC’s operations have primarily involved arranging financing for and initiating construction of its first two ethanol plants in Wood River, Nebraska (‘‘Wood River’’) and Fairmont, Minnesota (‘‘Fairmont’’) and development work on additional ethanol plant sites. Energy LLC is considered development stage as it has not commenced production of ethanol, hired a full complement of personnel or generated revenues. Until ethanol production begins in early 2008, Energy LLC will remain dependent on external financing to execute its business plan.

The Company is also considered development stage as its only asset is its investment in Energy LLC.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial statements include the Company and Energy LLC and its subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures in the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and equivalents include highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Property, plant and equipment, which primarily consists of land and construction in progress, is recorded at cost. All costs related to purchasing and developing land or the engineering, design and construction of a plant are capitalized.  Costs not directly related to a site or plant are expensed.  At December 31, 2006, accounts payable included approximately $17.1 million related to the Company’s construction activities. Depreciation expense from inception through December 31, 2006 relates to furniture and fixtures which are being depreciated over 3-10 years. Land improvements will be depreciated over 20-30 years. Construction in progress will be categorized as individual assets and depreciated over 5-25 years. The Company will begin depreciation of land improvements and its plant assets once the plants become operational.


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Banks and brokerage firms: (212) 297-0720
Stockholders and all others, toll-free: (877) 869-0171
Email:  info@okapipartners.com

94



BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

The Company capitalizes interest during the period of construction as part of the cost of constructed assets. Interest capitalized

Subscription Rights, Depositary Shares, Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Common Stock

Prospectus

               , 2010




Part II
Information Not Required in 2006, which includes commitment fees and amortization of debt issuance costs, totaled $619,658.

The recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets is evaluated whenever circumstances indicate that value may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing carrying value of an asset with estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If carrying value exceeds such cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which carrying value exceeds fair market value. No impairment has occurred to date.

Asset retirement obligations are recognized when a contractual or legal obligation exists and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had not incurred asset retirement obligations associated with the Wood River or Fairmont plants.

Debt issuance costs represent costs incurred related to the Company’s senior and subordinated credit agreements. These costs are being amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method.

Equity issuance costs represent costs incurred related to the Company’s planned initial public offering. These costs will be charged against the proceeds of the initial public offering when completed.

Expenses associated with stock-based awards and other forms of equity compensation are recorded in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (‘‘SFAS’��) 123(R), Share Based Payment (‘‘SFAS 123R’’). The expense associated with these awards is based on fair value at grant and recognized in the financial statements over the required service period, if any.

The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Since the Company has incurred a loss since its inception and expects to continue to incur losses until its plants become operational, it will provide a valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets until it is assured that such assets will be realized.

The reported values of cash and equivalents, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

Basic and diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) issued FIN No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109, (‘‘FIN 48’’). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for the first fiscal year beginning after Decem ber 15, 2006. The adoption of FIN 48 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (‘‘SFAS 157’’). SFAS 157 provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not currently expect SFAS 157 to have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FAS 115 (‘‘SFAS 159’’). SFAS 159 allows entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item’s fair value in subsequent reporting periods must be recognized in current earnings. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to draw comparison between entities that elect different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The Company has not assessed the impact of SFAS 159 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

4. BioFuel Solutions, LLC

BioFuel Solutions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (‘‘Solutions’’), was the predecessor company to Energy LLC. Solutions became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy LLC on September 25, 2006 as a result of two transactions.

In August 2006, the Company acquired a 30% interest in Solutions for $1,500,000 and 100,000 Class A Units. The Company accounted for this acquisition at fair value. For the period from August 4, 2006 to September 25, 2006, the Company accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The operating results of Solutions for this period were insignificant.

On September 25, 2006, certain founders of Energy LLC conveyed the remaining 70% interest in Solutions to Energy LLC in exchange for cash of $1,750,000 and 467,500 Class C and 180,833 Class D Units of Energy LLC. As founders and continuing members of executive management, the 70% contribution of Solutions by the individuals has been recorded at carryover basis and a distribution of equity for the cash received in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5G, Transfers of Nonmonetary Assets by Promoters or Shareholders.

5. Minority Interest

Minority interest consists of equity issued to members of Energy LLC. Under its LLC agreement, Energy LLC is currently authorized to issue 9,357,500 Class A, 950,000 Class B, 425,000 Class M, 2,683,125 Class C and 894,375 Class D Units. Class M, C and D Units are considered ‘‘profits interests’’ for which no cash consideration was received upon issuance. The LLC agreement stipulates that upon an initial public offering by the Company, all classes of Energy LLC equity will convert to one class of Energy LLC equity. The LLC agreement contains provisions that set forth the method for determining the exchange ratio of the various existing classes of equity for the single class of equity. The precise exchange ratio will be based on the Company’s initial public offering price and the implied valuation of the Company. Each newly issued unit of LLC equity will be exchangeable at the holder’s option into one share of Company commo n stock.

In May 2006, a private placement of 9,175,000 Class A Units in exchange for cash and commitments of $91,750,000 was completed. In June 2006, an additional 157,500 Class A Units were issued in exchange for cash and commitments of $1,575,000. In August 2006, 25,000 Class A Units were issued by Energy LLC and 75,000 Class A Units were transferred by a founder in connection with the purchase of 30% of Solutions. With the exception of the 25,000 newly issued units in connection with the Solutions acquisition, all Class A Units were fully-paid for in cash.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

In September 2006, 950,000 Class B Units were issued to Cargill, Inc. (‘‘Cargill’’) for $8,798,684 of cash plus an in-kind contribution of $701,316, representing actual expenses incurred by Cargill through that date related to the Wood River and Fairmont plants. Of this amount, $544,219 was recorded as land, $106,256 as debt issuance costs and $50,841 as general and administrative expense.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

The minority interest in Energy LLC is summarized as follows:


Prospectus
Proceeds from the sale of Class A Units, net of the Company’s investment$66,371,965
Proceeds from the sale of Class B Units8,798,684
 75,170,649
In-kind contribution associated with Class B Units701,316
Class A Units issued to acquire a 30% interest in Solutions1,000,000
Class C and D Units issued for 70% interest in Solutions359,714
Equity issued to founders and management6,094,615
Payments to predecessor owners(1,991,542
Equity issuance costs(490,558
Minority interest in loss of Energy LLC(6,817,684
 $74,026,510

Energy LLC may make distributions to members as determined by its Board of Managers. Distributions will be made in the following order of priority:

• First, Class A unitholders will receive distributions on a per unit basis until their cumulative distributions equal their capital contributions.
• Second, the Class B unitholder will receive distributions until its cumulative distributions equal its capital contribution.
• Third, Class M unitholders will receive distributions on a per unit basis until their cumulative distributions equal $10 per M Unit.
• Fourth, Class A and B unitholders will jointly receive distributions on a per unit basis until they have received a preferred return of 8% per annum compounded annually on their capital contributions.
• Fifth, Class M unitholders will receive distributions on a per unit basis until such per unit distributions equal the per unit preferred return previously received by Class A unitholders in the Fourth priority above.
• Sixth, Class C unitholders will receive distributions on a per unit basis until their per unit distributions equal the per unit Class A distributions in the Fourth priority above.
• Seventh, distributions as to 80% will be made on a per unit basis to Class A, B and M Units combined and as to 20% on a per unit basis to Class C unitholders combined. Such distributions would continue until the compound annual return to Class A unitholders reaches 25%.
• Eighth, thereafter all unitholders will receive distributions on a per unit basis. This will entail A, B and M Units combined receiving 75% and Class C and D Units combined receiving 25% of all distributions.
6. Long-Term Debt

In September 2006, Energy LLC, through its subsidiaries, entered into a $230,000,000 Senior Secured Credit Facility providing for the availability of $230 million of borrowings (‘‘Senior Debt’’) with BNP Paribas and a syndicate of lenders to finance construction of the Wood River and Fairmont plants. The Senior Debt consists of two construction loans, which together total $210 million of borrowings and convert into term loans upon completion of the plants. No


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

principal payments are required until the construction loans are converted to term loans. Thereafter, principal payments will be payable quarterly at a minimum annual rate of 6% of principal plus a percentage of available cash flow. These term loans mature in September 2014. Senior Debt also includes working capital loans of up to $20 million, a portion of which may be used as letters of credit. The working capital loans mature in September 2010. Interest rates on Senior Debt will, at management’s option, be set at: i) a Base Rate, which is the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or BNP Paribas’ prime rate, in each case plus a margin of 2.0%; or ii) at LIBOR plus 3.0%. Interest is payable quarterly.

Borrowings of Senior Debt are subject to certain conditions including the prior receipt of all committed equity as well as funds available under the subordinated debt agreement described below. The Senior Debt is secured by a first lien on all rights, titles and interests in the Wood River and Fairmont plants and any accounts receivable or property associated with those plants. Senior Debt includes certain limitations on, among other things, the ability of the borrowing subsidiaries to incur additional debt, grant liens or encumbrances, declare or pay dividends or distributions, conduct asset sales or other dispositions, merge or consolidate, conduct transactions with affiliates and amend, modify or change the scope of the Wood River and Fairmont projects, the project agreements or the budgets relating to them. The Senior Debt contains customary events of default including failure to meet payment obligations, failure to complete construction of the Wood River an d Fairmont plants by June 30, 2009, failure to pay financial obligations, failure of Energy LLC or its principal contractors to remain solvent and failure to obtain or maintain required governmental approvals. No such events of default have occurred.

A quarterly commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of available Senior Debt is payable. Debt issuance fees and expenses associated with the Senior Debt are approximately $6.8 million. That cost has been deferred and is being amortized over the term of the Senior Debt using the effective interest method.

In September 2006, Energy LLC entered into a subordinated debt agreement with certain Class A unitholders providing for up to $50 million of loans (‘‘Subordinated Debt’’) to be used for general corporate purposes including construction of the Wood River and Fairmont plants. The Subordinated Debt must be repaid by no later than March 2015. Interest on Subordinated Debt is payable quarterly in arrears at a 15.0% annual rate. The Subordinated Debt is secured by the member’s equity of the subsidiaries of Energy LLC owning the Wood River and Fairmont plant sites and guaranteed by those subsidiaries on a subordinated basis. The Subordinated Debt may be prepaid at any time in whole or in part without penalty.

Debt issuance fees and expenses of $2.9 million have been incurred in connection with the Subordinated Debt. A further 5% fee (up to $2.5 million in total) is payable if and when funds are borrowed. Debt issuance costs associated with the Subordinated Debt are being deferred and amortized over the term of the agreement using the effective interest method.

Energy LLC currently has no debt or letters of credit outstanding.

7. Share Based Payments

In May and June 2006, Energy LLC issued 425,000 Class M Units to its founders. These units vested upon issuance. Compensation expense of $1,062,750 was recorded in connection with the issuance of these units. Between May and December 2006, a total of 2,103,118 Class C and 676,039 Class D Units were issued to Energy LLC’s founders and certain key employees. These units vested upon issuance. Compensation expense of $5,031,865 was recorded in connection with the issuance of these units. Compensation expense was determined based on the estimated fair value of the Class M, C and D Units at the date of grant. Energy LLC considered the


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

methodology outlined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in its practice aid,Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. This methodology included:

• Estimating the fair value of Energy LLC at dates approximating the dates units were awarded by discounting estimated cash flows.
• Allocating Energy LLC’s fair value to its debt and equity holders through a series of call options on Energy LLC’s value.
• Determining the portion of Energy LLC’s value specifically attributed to the Class M, C and D Units.
• Discounting the cash flows for lack of marketability to reflect restrictions inherent on the sale of the Class M, C and D Units. The discount rates used for lack of marketability ranged from 32% to 27%.

As part of the valuation, the Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to estimate the value the call options on Energy LLC’s value. The assumptions listed below were made in applying this option pricing model.

• The underlying security price for the options was assumed to be Energy LLC’s value as determined by discounting its cash flow.
• The exercise prices of the options were based on the amounts to which each equity class would be entitled if a liquidation event were to occur.
• The terms of the options were based on assumptions of various liquidation dates weighted on the likelihood of the assumed liquidation occurring and ranged from nine months to five years.
• Volatility was based on the volatilities of comparable companies and ranged from 60% to 56%.
• Risk-free rates were based on US Treasury Strips which corresponded with the assumed terms of the options and ranged from 5.0% to 4.46%.

At December 31, 2006, Energy LLC had 112,507 Class C Units and 37,503 Class D Units available for future awards.

8. Income Taxes

The Company has no income tax provision (benefit) for the period from inception through December 31, 2006. The Company has a deferred tax asset of $854,632 related to the difference between the book and tax basis of its investment in Energy LLC and has provided a valuation allowance for the full amount of this deferred tax asset since it has no history of generating taxable income.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

The U.S. statutory federal income tax rate is reconciled to the Company’s effective income tax rate as follows:


From Inception to
December 31, 2006
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate(34.0)% 
Expected state tax benefit, net(2.6
Valuation allowance36.6
9. Employee Benefits Plan

Energy LLC sponsors a 401(k) profit sharing and savings plan for its employees. Employee participation in this plan is voluntary. Contributions to the plan by Energy LLC are at the discretion of its board of managers. Energy LLC contributed $60,799 to the plan in 2006.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

In September 2006, Energy LLC, through its subsidiaries, entered into two operating lease agreements with Cargill, a related party. Cargill’s grain handling and storage facilities, located adjacent to the Wood River and Fairmont plants, are being leased for 20 years from the date the plants become operational. Minimum annual payments under each lease are $800,000 so long as the associated corn supply agreements with Cargill remain in effect. Should the Company not maintain its corn supply agreements with Cargill, the minimum annual payments under each lease increase to $1,200,000. The leases contain escalation clauses which are based on the percentage change in the Midwest Consumer Price Index. The escalation clauses are considered to be contingent rent and, accordingly, are not included in minimum lease payments. The leases do not become effective until the plants become operational. Rent expense will be recognized on a straight line basis over the i nitial terms of the leases. Events of default under the leases include failure to fulfill monetary or non-monetary obligations and insolvency.

In October 2006, subsidiaries of Energy LLC entered into agreements to lease a total of 1,065 railroad cars. Pursuant to these lease agreements, beginning in 2008 these subsidiaries will pay approximately $8.7 million annually for ten years. Monthly rental charges escalate if modifications of the cars are required by governmental authorities or mileage exceeds 30,000 miles in any calendar year. Rent expense will be recognized on a straight line basis over the initial terms of the leases. Events of default under the leases include failure to fulfill monetary or non-monetary obligations and insolvency.

In October 2006, Energy LLC entered into a nineteen month lease for its corporate office in Denver.


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BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

Future minimum lease payments are as follows:


 Operating Leases
2007$810,783
200810,119,816
200910,283,500
201010,283,500
201110,283,500
Thereafter77,177,375
 $118,958,474

Rent expense recorded through December 31, 2006 totaled $35,930.

In December 2006, Energy LLC, through its subsidiaries constructing the Wood River and Fairmont plants, entered into agreements with electric utilities pursuant to which the electric utilities will build, own and operate substation and distribution facilities in order to supply electricity to the plants. For its Wood River plant, Energy LLC paid the utility $1.5 million for the cost of the substation and distribution facility. For its Fairmont plant, Energy LLC will pay a fixed facilities charge based on the cost of the substation and distribution facility estimated to be approximately $25,000 per month, over the 30-year term of the agreement. The agreement will be accounted for as a capital lease in the fourth quarter of 2007. The agreement also includes a $25,000 monthly minimum energy charge which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Subsidiaries of Energy LLC have entered into engineering, procurement and construction (‘‘EPC’’) contracts with The Industrial Company (‘‘TIC’’) covering the construction of the Wood River and Fairmont plants. Pursuant to these EPC contracts, TIC will be paid a total of $262.7 million, subject to certain adjustments, for the turnkey construction of the two plants.  Subsequent to the payment of certain advance payments, the subsidiaries of Energy LLC are permitted to withhold 5% of progress payments billed by TIC as retainage payable at the completion of the plants. Such withholdings are reported as construction contract retainage in the consolidated balance sheet. The subsidiaries of Energy LLC have recorded amounts paid or payable to TIC totaling $72.0 million as of December 31, 2006. For the plants to become operational, it is estimated that a further $38 million in addition to the E PC contract amounts must be spent on plant infrastructure and other construction requirements. Additional expenditures may be necessary to cover changes that may arise during the construction and start-up of the two plants.

Pursuant to long-term agreements, Cargill, a related party, will be the exclusive supplier of corn to the Wood River and Fairmont plants for twenty years after they become operational. The price per bushel of corn purchased under these agreements is based on a formula including cost plus an origination fee. The minimum annual origination fee payable to Cargill per plant under the agreements is $1.2 million. The agreements contain events of default that include failure to pay, willful misconduct, purchase of corn from another supplier, insolvency or the termination of the associated grain facility lease.

Cargill, a related party, has agreed to market all ethanol and distillers grain produced at the Wood River and Fairmont plants for ten years from the date the plants become operational. Under the terms of the ethanol marketing agreements, the Wood River and Fairmont plants will generally participate in a marketing pool where all parties receive the same net price. That price will be the average delivered price per gallon received by the marketing pool less average


Table of Contents

BioFuel Energy Corp. (a development stage company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  — (Continued)

transportation and storage charges and less a 1% commission. In certain circumstances, the plants may elect not to participate in the marketing pool. Minimum annual commissions are payable to Cargill and represent 1% of Cargill’s average selling price for 82.5 million gallons of ethanol. Under the distillers grain marketing agreements, the Wood River and Fairmont plants will receive the market value at time of sale less a commission. Minimum annual commissions are payable to Cargill and range from $.5 million to $.7 million depending upon certain factors as specified in the agreement. The marketing agreements contain events of default that include failure to pay, willful misconduct and insolvency.

The Company is not currently a party to any material legal, administrative or regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business or otherwise.

11. Related Party Transaction

Energy LLC paid a fee of $550,000 to a founder who elected not to remain an employee for work performed in connection with its formation and initial financing. This fee is reported as a compensation expense in the consolidated statement of loss. In addition, an advisory agreement was entered into with this founder, pursuant to which the founder is paid $20,000 per month for nineteen months from August 1, 2006.

12. Tax Increment Financing

In December 2006, Energy LLC’s subsidiary constructing the Wood River plant entered into an agreement with the City of Wood River, Nebraska (the ‘‘City’’) under which the City agreed to a grant of $6.0 million ($6.5 million net of interest reserve of $0.5 million) from the proceeds of the City’s Tax Increment Revenue Bonds to be used by Energy LLC’s subsidiary in the construction of its plant. The grant was received in February 2007.


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Schedule I
BioFuel Energy Corp.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
(Parent company information – See notes to consolidated financial statements)

Condensed Balance Sheet
December 31, 2006


Assets 
Investment in BioFuel Energy, LLC$24,619,413
Total assets$24,619,413
  
Stockholders’ equity 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding at December 31, 2006$10
Additional paid-in capital26,953,025
Deficit accumulated during development stage(2,333,622
Total stockholders’ equity$24,619,413

Condensed Statement of Loss
From inception on April 11, 2006 to December 31, 2006


Equity in loss of BioFuel Energy, LLC$(2,333,622
Net loss$(2,333,622

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
From inception on April 11, 2006 through December 31, 2006


Cash flows from operating activities 
Net loss$(2,333,622
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities Equity in loss of BioFuel Energy, LLC2,333,622
Net cash provided by operating activities
  
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in BioFuel Energy, LLC
(26,953,035
Net cash used in investing activities(26,953,035
  
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
26,953,035
Net cash provided by financing activities26,953,035
  
Cash and equivalents at December 31, 2006$

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Members of
BioFuel Solutions, LLC
Denver, Colorado

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BioFuel Solutions, LLC and subsidiaries, a Delaware limited liability (development stage) company (the ‘‘Company’’), as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and members’ equity and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006, the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through December 31, 2005 and for the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through June 30, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that o ur audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BioFuel Solutions, LLC and subsidiaries at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006, the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through December 31, 2005 and for the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through June 30, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Denver, Colorado
December 8, 2006


Table of Contents

BioFuel Solutions, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Consolidated balance sheets


 June 30,
2006
December 31,
2005
Assets  
Current assets  
Cash and equivalents$221,210$102,731
Accounts receivable914,005
Receivable from BioFuel Energy, LLC46,815
Prepaid expenses6,9401,487
Total274,9651,018,223
Land improvements465,070260,580
Deferred financing fees87,494
Total assets$827,529$1,278,803
Liabilities and members’ equity  
Current liabilities  
Accounts payable$33,910$369,195
Notes payable, net157,406143,074
Accrued legal fees123,23236,418
Accrued compensation and related liabilities17,225
Total314,548565,912
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 6)  
Members’ equity512,981712,891
Total liabilities and members’ equity$827,529$1,278,803

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Solutions, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Consolidated statements of income (loss)
and members’ equity


 For the Six Months
ended
June 30, 2006
From Inception on
January 1, 2005
through
December 31, 2005
From Inception on
January 1, 2005
through
June 30, 2006
Advisory fees$$1,043,707$1,043,707
General and administrative expenses374,796153,945528,741
Advisory fee expenses23,061358,130381,191
Interest (income) expense(1,9472,309362
Equity in loss of affiliated company112,983112,983
Net (loss) income(395,910416,34020,430
Members’ equity:   
Beginning of period712,891
Member contributions196,000296,551492,551
End of period$512,981$712,891$512,981

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Solutions, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Consolidated statements of cash flows


 For the Six Months
ended
June 30, 2006
From Inception on
January 1, 2005
through
December 31, 2005
From Inception on
January 1, 2005
through
June 30, 2006
Cash flows from operating activities   
Net (loss) income$(395,910$416,340$20,430
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities   
Non-cash member contribution71,55171,551
Equity in loss of affiliate112,983112,983
Deferred advisory expenses87,86187,861
Imputed interest6,9262,3099,235
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions   
Accounts receivable914,005(825,00089,005
Due to BioFuel Energy, LLC(46,816 (46,816
Accounts payable(180,181103,337(76,844
Other current assets and liabilities, net(23,35652,15628,800
Net cash provided by operating activities274,66821,537296,205
Cash flows from investing activities   
Investment in equity affiliate(210,903(210,903
Cash received upon acquisition of equity affiliate47,10647,106
Expenditures for land improvements(554,529(28,802(583,331
Reimbursement received for expenditures on land191,20748,793240,000
Net cash used in investing activities(363,322(143,806(507,128
Cash flows from financing activities   
Proceeds from note payable161,133161,133
Payment of note payable(150,000(150,000
Member contributions196,000225,000421,000
Net cash provided by financing activities207,133225,000432,133
Net increase in cash and equivalents118,479102,731221,210
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period102,731
Cash and equivalents, end of period$221,210$102,731$221,210
Non-cash investing and financing activities   
Non-cash additions to land improvements$38,911$280,570$38,911
Note issued for purchase of BioFuel Solutions, LLC, a Colorado LLC140,765
Non-cash debt issuance costs87,49487,494

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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BioFuel Solutions, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Notes to consolidated financial statements

1. Organization and nature of operations

BioFuel Solutions, LLC (the ‘‘Company’’), was organized as a Delaware limited liability company primarily for the development of ethanol production facilities. Since its formation, substantially all of the Company’s activities have been related to securing the capital needed for the construction of two ethanol production facilities, located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota. The Company’s headquarters is located in Denver, Colorado.

Prior to October 31, 2005, the Company held a 26.7% interest in Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC (‘‘BFS-CO’’), a Colorado limited liability company. On October 31, 2005, the Company acquired the remaining interest in BFS-CO. See Note 3.

The Company is considered development stage as it has not commenced commercial operations, hired the full complement of personnel, or generated revenues from the sale of ethanol. As a development stage enterprise, the Company is dependent on external financing to execute its business plan.

During 2005, advisory fees were earned on ethanol project related services provided to two clients under agreements in effect at the time the Company acquired BFS-CO. The Company did not provide advisory services during the six months ended June 30, 2006.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and related disclosures in the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Deferred financing fees are related to the Company’s efforts to obtain financing for the construction of its two proposed ethanol plants. The Company will amortize these costs over the term of the financing using the effective interest method.

Land improvements are stated at cost and include all costs directly related to, or allocable to, developing a site for the construction of an ethanol production facility. Any cost that is not related to the development of a specific plant site is expensed as incurred. 

The recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s investments in land improvements is evaluated whenever circumstances indicate that value may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing carrying value of an asset with the estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying value exceeds such cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company did not recognize an impairment loss on any of its land improvement assets during the period from inception to December 31, 2005 or during the six months ended June 30, 2006.

Advisory fees are generally recognized using the completed contract method of accounting, as prescribed by Statement of Position 81-1 (‘‘SOP 81-1’’), Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts, due to the lack of dependable


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BioFuel Solutions, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Notes to consolidated financial statements  — (Continued)

estimates of revenues to be earned and ultimately collected under the Company’s advisory service contracts. In accordance with SOP 81-1, the Company defers advisory costs associated with providing its services to be recognized upon completion of the services and recognition of the related revenues. There were no deferred advisory costs recorded in the balance sheets at December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006.

The Company accounted for its investment in BFS-CO using the equity method since it had the ability to exercise significant influence on how BFS-CO executed its business plans.

As a limited liability company, the Company is not subject to federal and state income taxes. Its members are liable for income taxes based on their interest in the Company. Accordingly, the financial statements do not reflect federal and state income tax liabilities or benefits.

The reported values of accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

3. Acquisition

On October 31, 2005, the Company purchased the interest in BFS-CO it did not own by issuing a promissory note for $150,000 and agreeing to pay contingent consideration of up to $520,000. The promissory note was paid in June 2006. The Company was to pay contingent consideration of $100,000 for each of two advisory service contracts in existence at the date of the acquisition to the extent it received compensation. The Company was compensated pursuant to one of these contracts and paid $100,000 of the contingent consideration in June 2006. The remaining contingent consideration of $320,000 was related to completing the financing required for the construction of the Wood River and Fairmont ethanol production facilities and became payable on September 25, 2006. BFS-CO was a development stage company. As such, the acquisition was accounted for as a purchase of assets at fair value.

Due to in-kind capital contributions made by both members of BFS-CO, the Company’s ownership interest in BFS-CO was adjusted to 26.7%. Prior to the purchase of the remaining 73.3% interest in BFS-CO, the Company accounted for its investment in BFS-CO using the equity method of accounting. A summary of the operating results of BFS-CO from its inception on January 1, 2005 to October 31, 2005 follows:


Advisory fees$104,005
General and administrative expenses(398,327
Advisory fee expenses(128,737
Interest income453
Net loss$(422,606
4. Note payable

At December 31, 2005, the Company had a non-interest bearing promissory note payable to the prior 73.3% owner of BFS-CO in the amount of $150,000. This note has been discounted reflecting an imputed interest rate of 10.0% per annum. This note was paid in June 2006.

In September 2005, the Company through one of its subsidiaries became a party to an agreement with The Fairmont Economic Development Authority and the City of Fairmont, Minnesota giving the Company the right to borrow up to $225,000 to cover the cost of drilling a


Table of Contents

BioFuel Solutions, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Notes to consolidated financial statements  — (Continued)

well and conducting tests required for permitting the Fairmont plant site. The Company borrowed $149,142 in February 2006 and $11,991 in April 2006 pursuant to this agreement. This loan does not bear interest and has been discounted reflecting an imputed interest rate of 10% per annum. This loan was paid in full in September 2006.

5. Members’ equity

During 2005, the Company’s members made cash and noncash contributions of $225,000 and $71,551, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, additional cash contributions totaled $196,000.

Net income and losses of the Company are allocated to each member in proportion to each member’s ownership interest. The Company has made no distributions to its members to date.

6. Commitments and contingencies

The Company and Cargill, Incorporated (‘‘Cargill’’) entered into two separate agreements with substantially similar terms whereby the Company and Cargill would cooperate with each other on an exclusive basis to develop ethanol production facilities, located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company would arrange the financing and construction for both production facilities, and Cargill would provide corn supply, storage and handling, ethanol and distillers grain marketing, and other services. Both the Company and Cargill agreed to invest a minimum of $4,000,000 in each production facility.

The Company is not currently a party to any legal, administrative or regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business or otherwise.

7. Related party transactions

The Company paid an affiliate of a member $10,500 during the six months ended June 30, 2006 for accounting services provided to the Company.

8. Agreement with BioFuel Energy, LLC

On May 1, 2006, the Company effectively ceased its efforts to develop the Wood River and Fairmont ethanol facilities on its own. On August 4, 2006, BioFuel Energy, LLC (‘‘BFE’’) purchased the 30% interest in the Company held by one of its members. On September 25, 2006 members owning the remaining 70% interest in the Company conveyed their interest to BFE. Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the Company distributed cash of $241,542 to these members.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Members of
Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC
Denver, Colorado

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC, a Colorado limited liability (development stage) company (the ‘‘Company’’), as of October 31, 2005, and the related statements of loss and members’ equity and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through October 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC at October 31, 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 1, 2005 (inception) through October 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Denver, Colorado
December 8, 2006


Table of Contents

Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC
(a Colorado limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Balance sheet
October 31, 2005


  
Assets 
Current assets 
Cash and equivalents$47,106
Accounts receivable89,005
Deferred advisory expenses87,861
Total223,972
Land improvements266,061
Total assets$490,033
Liabilities and members’ equity 
Current liabilities 
Accounts payable$75,292
Accounts payable to related parties16,961
Accrued legal fees31,516
Total123,769
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 4) 
Members’ equity366,264
Total liabilities and members’ equity$490,033

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC
(a Colorado limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Statement of loss and members’ equity
from inception on January 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005


  
Advisory fees$104,005
General and administrative expenses(398,327
Advisory fee expenses(128,737
Interest income453
Net loss(422,606
Members’ equity 
Beginning of period
Members’ contributions788,870
End of period$366,264

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC
(a Colorado limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Statement of cash flows
from inception on January 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005


Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss$(422,606
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Expenses paid directly by members521,870
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in accounts receivable(89,005
Increase in deferred advisory expenses(87,861
Increase in accounts payable40,732
Increase in accrued legal fees31,516
Net cash used in operating activities(5,354
Cash flows from investing activities
Expenditures for land improvements(214,540
Net cash used in investing activities(214,540
Cash flows from financing activities
Member contributions267,000
Net cash provided by financing activities267,000
Net increase in cash and equivalents47,106
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and equivalents, end of period$47,106
Non-cash investment items
Non-cash additions to land improvements$51,521

The accompanying notes to are an integral part of these financial statements.


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Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC (a Colorado limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Notes to financial statements

1. Organization and nature of operations

Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC (the ‘‘Company’’), was organized as a Colorado limited liability company on January 1, 2005 and was engaged primarily in the development of ethanol production facilities. The Company did, however, respond to requests to advise others regarding development of ethanol plants when the occasion arose. The Company was located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. On October 31, 2005, the Company was acquired by BioFuel Solutions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (‘‘BFS-DE’’).

At the time of its acquisition, the Company was considered development stage as it had not commenced operations of its ethanol production facilities, hired the full complement of personnel, or generated revenues from the sale of ethanol. As a development stage enterprise, the Company was dependent on external financing to execute its business plan.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and related disclosures in the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Land improvements are stated at cost and include all costs directly related to, or allocable to, developing a site for the construction of an ethanol production facility. Any cost that is not related to the development of a specific plant site is expensed as incurred. 

The recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s investment in land improvements is evaluated whenever circumstances indicate that the value may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing carrying value of an asset with the estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying value exceeds such cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company did not recognize an impairment loss on any of its land improvement assets during the period from inception through October 31, 2005.

Advisory fees are generally recognized using the completed contract method of accounting, as prescribed by Statement of Position 81-1 (‘‘SOP 81-1’’), Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts, due to the lack of dependable estimates of revenues to be earned and ultimately collected under the Company’s advisory service contracts. In accordance with SOP 81-1, the Company has deferred advisory costs associated with providing its services and will recognize these deferred costs upon completion of the services and recognition of the related revenues. During the period ended October 31, 2005, the Company’s advisory fees were derived from a single customer.

As a limited liability company, the Company is not subject to federal and state income taxes. Its members are liable for income taxes based on their interest in the Company. Accordingly, the financial statements do not reflect federal and state income tax liabilities or benefits.

The estimated fair values of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.


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Bio Fuel Solutions, LLC (a Colorado limited liability company)
(a development stage company)
Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

3. Members’ equity

The Company had two members. The members contributed $150,000 and $100,000 for a 60% interest and a 40% interest, respectively. An additional cash contribution of $17,000 was made during the period from inception through October 31, 2005 by the 60% member. Additionally, the Company’s 60% member paid expenses on behalf of the Company totaling $410,967, and its capital account was increased accordingly. The Company’s 40% member paid expenses on behalf of the Company totaling $110,903, and its capital account was also increased accordingly, resulting in ownership interests of 73.27% and 26.73%, respectively.

The net loss of the Company was allocated to each member in proportion to each member’s ownership interest after considering all contributions recorded in their capital accounts during the period from inception through October 31, 2005. The Company made no distributions to its members.

4. Commitments and contingencies

On July 20, 2005, the Company and Cargill, Incorporated (‘‘Cargill’’) entered into two separate agreements with substantially similar terms whereby the Company and Cargill would cooperate with each other on an exclusive basis to develop ethanol production facilities, located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company would arrange the financing and construction for both production facilities, and Cargill would provide corn supply, storage and handling, ethanol and distillers grain marketing, and other services. Both the Company and Cargill agreed to invest a minimum of $4,000,000 in each production facility. In connection with the acquisition of the Company on October 31, 2005, BFS-DE assumed the Company’s rights and obligations under these agreements.

The Company was not a party to any legal, administrative or regulatory proceedings from its inception through October 31, 2005.

5. Related party transactions

The Company reimbursed its members for expenditures of $132,179 incurred on its behalf from inception through October 31, 2005, of which $63,555 was recorded in land development and $68,624 was charged to expenses related to advisory services. At October 31, 2005, the Company owed its 73.27% and 26.73% members $15,456 and $1,505, respectively.


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9,500,000 shares

BioFuel Energy Corp.

Common Stock

Prospectus


JPMorgan            CitiA.G. Edwards
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.Cowen and Company

                    , 2007

Until              , 2007 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.




Table of Contents

Part II

Information not required in prospectus

Item 13.  Other expensesExpenses of issuanceIssuance and distribution

Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses to be paid by us in connection with the saleoffering of the shares of common stock being registered hereby.securities described in this registration statement.  All amounts are estimates except for the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee.


Amount to be
Paid
 
Amount to be Paid
 
SEC registration fee$32,100 $1,188.79 
NASD filing fee30,500
Listing fee125,000
Printing and engraving expenses275,000
Accounting fees and expenses410,000              
Subscription agent and information agent fees and expenses              
Depositary, transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses              
Legal fees and expenses1,990,000              
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses15,000
Miscellaneous expenses222,400               
Total3,100,000 $             


Item 14.  Indemnification of directorsDirectors and officers

Officers

Our certificate of incorporation generally provides that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the ‘‘DGCL’’“DGCL”) provides in relevant part that a corporation may indemnify any officer or director who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another entity, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable ca usecause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides in relevant part that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to whi chwhich such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

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Our certificate of incorporation also provides for the limitation of liability set forth in Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, which permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of

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incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

We also intend to obtainhave obtained officers’ and directors’ liability insurance which insures against liabilities that officers and directors of the registrant may, in such capacities, incur. Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides that a corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under that section.

The employment agreement of eachagreements of Mr. Pearce and Mr. Simon providesMaguire provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law against any claims or judgments that result by reason of employment with us.  In addition, during the term of employment of each of Mr. Pearce and Mr. Simon,Maguire, and for a period of three years following employment, we must maintain officers’ and directors’ liability insurance for each of Mr. Pearce and Mr. Maguire at least equal to the coverage that we provide for any other present or former senior executive or director.  The severance agreement of Mr. Simon provides for indemnification as though he continued his employment with us.  In addition, for a period of three years after June 30, 2010, we must maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for Mr. Simon at least equal to the coverage that we provide for any other present or former senior executive or director.

Section 7(b) of the Underwriting Agreement, filed as Exhibit 1.1, provides that the Underwriters named therein will indemnify us and hold us harmless and each of our directors, officers or controlling persons from and against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement also provides that such Underwriters will contribute to certain liabilities of such persons under the Securities Act.

Item 15.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The sales of unregisteredthe securities

On April 11, 2006, BioFuel Energy Corp. issued 879.6 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, to Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. and 120.4 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, to Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. in exchange for $1,033,587.17 and $141,477.83, respectively. The issuances of such shares of common stockthe registrant listed below were not registered under the Securities Act because the sharesthey were issuedsold in transactions exempt from registration underpursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

Since inception

Warrants under Bridge Loan Agreement
On September 24, 2010, we entered into a loan agreement (which we refer to as the “Bridge Loan Agreement”) with Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (which we refer to collectively as the “Greenlight Parties”) and Third Point Loan LLC (which we refer to as “Third Point” and, together with the Greenlight Parties, as the “Backstop Parties”) and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent, pursuant to which we borrowed $19,420,620 (which we refer to as the “Bridge Loan”).  The Bridge Loan matures on March 24, 2011, and in January 2006, BioFuelthe event the Bridge Loan is not paid in full on or before that date, the Bridge Loan Agreement provides that we will issue warrants to the Backstop Parties exercisable at an exercise price of $0.01 per share for an aggregate of 15% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued. A form of warrant is included in the Bridge Loan Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.26 to this registration statement.
Cargill Stock Payment
On September 23, 2010, we entered into a letter agreement with Cargill, Incorporated (“Cargill”), Cargill Commodity Services, Inc., BFE Operating Company, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (the ‘‘LLC’’) issuedand Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (which we refer to as the following securities“Cargill Letter”).

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We and Cargill agreed in the transactions described below. The securities were issued in transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(2)Cargill Letter that upon completion of this rights offering (i) we will pay Cargill $2,800,829 (which we refer to as the “Cargill Cash Payment”) pursuant to the terms of the Securities Act.

The LLC has issued profit sharing membership interestsagreement dated January 14, 2009 by and between us and Cargill (which we refer to eachas the “Settlement Agreement”) and, as contemplated by the Settlement Agreement, Cargill will forgive a like amount of Thomas J. Edelman, Scott H. Pearce, Daniel J. Simonthe payable under the Settlement Agreement and Irik P. Sevin for their services in founding and organizing(ii) upon receipt of the company. The LLC also issued profit sharing membership interests to Messrs. Simon and Pearce in consideration for their interests in BioFuel Solutions Delaware. In addition,Cargill Cash Payment, Cargill will forgive the LLC has issued profit sharing membership interests to each of Messrs. Edelman, Kornder, Morris, Pearce, Simon, Streisand, Page, Stefanoudakis and Huffman in consideration for their services as executive officers. A summary of these issuances is presented inremaining payable under the table below:

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Founder/ExecutiveDate of IssuanceC UnitsD UnitsM Units
Thomas J. EdelmanMay 1, 2006899,500299,833100,000
 June 30, 200619,2185,9255,000
 August 4, 20062,315714
 September 14, 200641,22313,741
 April 19, 20075,253917
Scott H. PearceMay 1, 2006542,500180,833125,000
 June 30, 20069,7053,72910,000
 August 4, 20061,169449
 September 14, 200678,72326,241
 April 19, 20075,252918
Daniel J. SimonMay 1, 2006542,500180,833125,000
 June 30, 20068,7733,41810,000
 August 4, 20061,057412
 September 14, 200678,72326,241
 April 19, 20075,252918
Irik P. SevinMay 1, 2006220,50073,50025,000
 June 30, 20065,8791,45325,000
 August 4, 2006708175
Eric D. StreisandJuly 18, 200675,00025,000
JonAlan C. PageJuly 18, 200618,7506,250
Michael N. StefanoudakisSeptember 11, 200615,0005,000
 April 19, 20073,7501,250
William W. HuffmanSeptember 14, 20069,3753,125
David J. KornderFebruary 9, 200775,00025,000
Timothy S. MorrisFebruary 26, 200710,0005,000

On May 1, 2006, the LLC issued 9,175,000 A units to various investorsSettlement Agreement in exchange for capital commitments totaling $91,750,000 (all of which have been paid). On June 30, 2006,depositary shares in an amount equal to approximately $6,000,000 (which we refer to as the LLC issued to BioFuel Partners, LLC 157,500 units in exchange for capital commitments totaling $1,570,000 (all of which have been paid)“Cargill Stock Payment”). On September 29, 2006,

The depositary shares that will make up the LLCCargill Stock Payment will be issued to Cargill 950,000 B units in exchangeon the 12th business day following the consummation of this rights offering and will be valued at a per share price equal to the average of the volume weighted averages of the trading prices of our common stock, as such prices are reported on The Nasdaq Global Market, for a capital contribution of $9,500,000. On August 4, 2006, the LLC10 consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately preceding the date such depositary shares are issued to an investor 25,000Cargill.  The depositary shares to be issued to Cargill will therefore be issued after the depositary shares that will be issued upon expiration of this rights offering but will have the same rights and preferences as the depositary shares that will be issued upon expiration of this rights offering.  The depositary shares to be issued to Cargill are not being registered or sold in this rights offering.  In order to issue the depositary shares that will make up the Cargill Stock Payment, we expect to issue and deposit with the depositary a number of additional shares of Series A units in exchange forNon-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that corresponds to the aggregate fractional interests in another entity.

On April 10, 2007,shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock that the LLCnewly issued 750 C unitsdepositary shares represent.  In the event that an insufficient number of authorized shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock are available for such issuance and 250 D unitsdeposit with the depositary, we expect to eachestablish an alternative method for satisfying the Cargill Stock Payment that is satisfactory to us, Cargill and the Backstop Parties.

Basic Commitment and Backstop Commitment
In connection with the Bridge Loan Agreement, on September 24, 2010, we entered into a Rights Offering Letter Agreement with the Backstop Parties, which was subsequently amended and restated in its entirety by the Amended and Restated Rights Offering Letter Agreement entered into with the Backstop Parties and dated as of           two employees, 2010 (which we refer to as the “Rights Offering Letter Agreement”).
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Rights Offering Letter Agreement, as amended, the Backstop Parties have agreed to (i) participate in this rights offering for their services. On April 19, 2007,full basic subscription privilege (which we refer to as the LLC issued 5,000 C units“Basic Commitment”) and 2,500 C units(ii) purchase immediately prior to an employee for services.

expiration of this rights offering all of the available depositary shares not otherwise sold in this rights offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges (which we refer to as the “Backstop Commitment”).  The price per depositary share paid by the Backstop Parties pursuant to the Basic Commitment and the Backstop Commitment will be equal to the price paid by the other holders in this rights offering.  Any depositary shares purchased by the Backstop Parties pursuant to the Basic Commitment or the Backstop Commitment will be purchased directly from us on a private basis and are not being registered pursuant to this registration statement.

Item 16.  Exhibits and financial statement schedules

(a) Exhibits


NumberDescription
1.1Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.2Form of Bylaws, as Amended and Restated
4.1Specimen Stock Certificate
5.1Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
NumberDescription
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BioFuel Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed June 19, 2007)

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NumberDescription
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws of BioFuel Energy Corp. dated March 20, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 23, 2009)
4.1Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Amendment #3 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed April 23, 2007)
4.2Specimen Certificate for Shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock *
4.3Certificate of Designations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock *
4.4Form of Rights Certificate *
4.5Form of Depositary Receipt **
4.6Form of Deposit Agreement **
5.1Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding validity of the securities being issued **
8.1Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding certain tax matters **
10.1Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of BioFuel Energy, LLC dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.2Form of Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of BioFuel Energy, LLC *
10.3Credit Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, various financial institutions from time to time, as lenders, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent, and BNP Paribas, as administrative agent and arranger *
10.4Waiver and Amendment dated September 29, 2009, to the Credit Agreement dated September 25, 2006 and Collateral Account Agreement dated September 25, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 30, 2009)
10.5Collateral Account Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary agent and securities intermediary (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.6Registration Rights Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.7Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto *
10.8Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
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NumberDescription
10.1Form of Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of BioFuel Energy, LLC
10.2Credit Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, various financial institutions from time to time, as lenders, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent, and BNP Paribas, as administrative agent and arranger**
10.3Collateral Account Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary agent and securities intermediary**
10.4Form of Registration Rights Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto
10.5Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.6Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.7Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.8Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.9Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC** #
10.10Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC** #
10.11Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Scott H. Pearce**
10.12Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Daniel J. Simon**
10.13Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc.** #
10.13.1First Amendment to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc., dated August 28, 2006** #
10.14Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated June 9, 2006, between Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc.** #
10.15Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.16Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
NumberDescription
10.9Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.10Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.11Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.12Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Amendment #5 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed May 15, 2007)
10.13Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Amendment #5 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed May 15, 2007)
10.14Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Scott H. Pearce (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.15Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Daniel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.16Written Terms of Employment dated March 9, 2010 between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Daniel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2010)
10.17Executive Severance, Release and Waiver Agreement dated June 2, 2010 between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Daniel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010)
10.18Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.19First Amendment to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc., dated August 28, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13.1 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)

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NumberDescription
10.17Grain Facility Lease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.18Grain Facility Lease and Sublease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.19Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC** #
10.20Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC** #
10.21Loan Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC, the lenders party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent**
10.22BioFuel Energy, LLC Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees**
10.23BioFuel Energy, LLC Change of Control Plan**
10.24BioFuel Energy Corp 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
10.25BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.25.1Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.25.2Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.25.3Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.26BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement**
10.26.1Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement**
10.27Form of Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto
10.28License Agreement dated June 9, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC** #
10.29License Agreement dated April 28, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC** #
10.30Letter Agreement dated July 18, 2006 between Irik P. Sevin and BioFuel Energy, LLC**
10.31Assignment and Assumption of Option to Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 2007
10.31.1Alta Land Option Agreement dated September 11, 2006
10.31.2Amendment dated September 22, 2006 to Alta Land Option Agreement dated September 11, 2006
10.32Assignment and Assumption of Option to Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 2007
10.32.1Alta Land Option Agreement dated September 18, 2006
10.33Form of Stockholders Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Cargill Biofuels Investments, LLC
21.1List of Subsidiaries of BioFuel Energy Corp.**
NumberDescription
10.20Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated June 9, 2006, between Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.21Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.22Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.23Grain Facility Lease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.24Grain Facility Lease and Sublease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.25Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.26Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.27Loan Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC, the lenders party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.28Loan Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Third Point Loan LLC and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)
10.29Rights Offering Letter Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Third Point Loan LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)

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NumberDescription
10.30Form of Amended and Restated Rights Offering Letter Agreement by and among the registrant, BioFuel Energy, LLC, Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Third Point Loan LLC and Third Point Advisors, LLC *
10.31Voting Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010 by Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. and Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)
10.32Voting Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010 by Third Point Loan LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)
13.33Form of Amended and Restated Voting Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. and Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. *
10.34Form of Amended and Restated Voting Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Third Point Loan LLC *
10.35Letter Agreement dated as of September 23, 2010, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., BFE Operating Company, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Cargill, Incorporated and Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010) #
10.36Waiver Letter, dated September 24, 2010, by Scott H. Pearce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly G. Maguire, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Doug Anderson, Vice President of Operations, and Mark Zoeller, Vice President and General Counsel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed September 30, 2010)
10.37BioFuel Energy, LLC Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.38BioFuel Energy Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 12, 2008)
10.39BioFuel Energy, LLC Change of Control Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.40BioFuel Energy Corp 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 12, 2008)
10.41BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.42Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25.1 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.43Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25.2 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
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NumberDescription
10.44Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25.3 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.45BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.46Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26.1 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.47Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.48License Agreement dated June 9, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.49License Agreement dated April 28, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.50Stockholders Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Cargill Biofuel Investments, LLC dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.51Agreement and Omnibus Amendment dated as of July 30, 2009, among Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Cargill, Incorporated and Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2009)
10.52Agreement and Omnibus Amendment dated as of July 30, 2009, among Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, Cargill, Incorporated and Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2009)
21.1List of Subsidiaries of BioFuel Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 30, 2010)
23.1Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm *
23.2Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1)
24.1Powers of Attorney (included in signature page to the Registration Statement)
99.1Form of Instructions as to Use of Rights Certificate *
99.2Form of Letter to Record Holders *
99.3Form of Letter to Nominee Holders Whose Clients are Beneficial Owners *
99.4Form of Letter to Clients of Nominee Holders *

*Filed herewith.
NumberDescription
23.1Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1Powers of Attorney**
**Previously filed.To be filed by amendment.
***Filed previously.
#Application has been made to the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment of certain provisions of this exhibit. Omitted material for which confidential treatment has been requested has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(b) Financial Statement Schedule

II-8

NumberDescription
(b) IFinancial Statement Schedule
 Schedule I of BioFuel Energy Corp. — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant. See page F-17.(incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 30, 2010)


Item 17.  Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:

(1) The undersigned will provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(3) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

undertakes:

1.To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
iv.Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-6

II-9




Table of Contents

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 31 to the Registration Statementregistration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York, New York,Denver, Colorado, on April 23, 2007.

November 17, 2010.

BioFuel Energy Corp.,
By:/s/ Scott H. Pearce
 Name:Scott H. Pearce
 Title:President and Chief Executive
Officer
CEO

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 31 to the Registration Statementregistration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on April 23, 2007.

November 17, 2010.
SignatureTitle
*
/s/ Scott H. Pearce
ChairmanPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Scott H. Pearce(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Kelly G. Maguire
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kelly G. Maguire(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
*
Director, Chairman of the Board
Mark W. Wong
Thomas J. Edelman
*
Director
Elizabeth K. Blake

SignatureTitle
*
Director
David Einhorn
*
Director
Richard I. Jaffee
*
Director
John D. March
*
Director
Ernest J. Sampias
*By:/s/ Scott H. PearcePresident and Chief Executive
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Name: Scott H. Pearce
Title:    Attorney-in-Fact


EXHIBIT INDEX
NumberDescription
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BioFuel Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed June 19, 2007)
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws of BioFuel Energy Corp. dated March 20, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 23, 2009)
4.1Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Amendment #3 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed April 23, 2007)
4.2Specimen Certificate for Shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock *
4.3Certificate of Designations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock *
4.4Form of Rights Certificate *
4.5Form of Depositary Receipt **
4.6Form of Deposit Agreement **
5.1Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding validity of the securities being issued **
8.1Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding certain tax matters **
10.1Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of BioFuel Energy, LLC dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.2Form of Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of BioFuel Energy, LLC *
10.3Credit Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, various financial institutions from time to time, as lenders, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent, and BNP Paribas, as administrative agent and arranger *
10.4Waiver and Amendment dated September 29, 2009, to the Credit Agreement dated September 25, 2006 and Collateral Account Agreement dated September 25, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 30, 2009)
10.5Collateral Account Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary agent and securities intermediary (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.6Registration Rights Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.7Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto *


NumberDescription
10.8Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.9Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.10Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.11Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.12Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Amendment #5 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed May 15, 2007)
10.13Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Amendment #5 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed May 15, 2007)
10.14Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Scott H. Pearce (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.15Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Daniel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.16Written Terms of Employment dated March 9, 2010 between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Daniel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2010)
10.17Executive Severance, Release and Waiver Agreement dated June 2, 2010 between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Daniel J. Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010)
10.18Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)


NumberDescription
10.19First Amendment to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc., dated August 28, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13.1 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.20Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated June 9, 2006, between Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.21Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.22Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.23Grain Facility Lease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.24Grain Facility Lease and Sublease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.25Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.26Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.27Loan Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC, the lenders party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.28Loan Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Third Point Loan LLC and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)


NumberDescription
10.29Rights Offering Letter Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Third Point Loan LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)
10.30Form of Amended and Restated Rights Offering Letter Agreement by and among the registrant, BioFuel Energy, LLC, Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Third Point Loan LLC and Third Point Advisors, LLC *
10.31Voting Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010 by Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. and Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)
10.32Voting Agreement dated as of September 24, 2010 by Third Point Loan LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010)
13.33Form of Amended and Restated Voting Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. and Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. *
10.34Form of Amended and Restated Voting Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Third Point Loan LLC *
10.35Letter Agreement dated as of September 23, 2010, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., BFE Operating Company, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Cargill, Incorporated and Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2010) #
10.36Waiver Letter, dated September 24, 2010, by Scott H. Pearce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly G. Maguire, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Financial Officer, Doug Anderson, Vice President of Operations, and Director
Daniel J. Simon
/s/ David J. KornderExecutiveMark Zoeller, Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) General Counsel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed September 30, 2010)
10.37BioFuel Energy, LLC Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
David J. Kornder10.38BioFuel Energy Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 12, 2008)
10.39BioFuel Energy, LLC Change of Control Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.40BioFuel Energy Corp 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 12, 2008)
10.41BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)


NumberDescription
10.42Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25.1 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.43Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25.2 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.44Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25.3 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.45BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.46Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26.1 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.47Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.48License Agreement dated June 9, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.49License Agreement dated April 28, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Amendment #1 to Registration Statement to Form S-1 (file no. 333-139203) filed January 24, 2007)
10.50Stockholders Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Cargill Biofuel Investments, LLC dated June 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2007)
10.51Agreement and Omnibus Amendment dated as of July 30, 2009, among Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Cargill, Incorporated and Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2009)
10.52Agreement and Omnibus Amendment dated as of July 30, 2009, among Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, Cargill, Incorporated and Cargill Commodity Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2009)
21.1List of Subsidiaries of BioFuel Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 30, 2010)
23.1Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm *
23.2Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1)
24.1Powers of Attorney (included in signature page to the Registration Statement)
99.1Form of Instructions as to Use of Rights Certificate *
99.2Form of Letter to Record Holders *


NumberDescription
99.3Form of Letter to Nominee Holders Whose Clients are Beneficial Owners *
99.4Form of Letter to Clients of Nominee Holders *

*Director
David Einhorn
*Director
Daniel S. Loeb
*Director
James Lin
*Director
Christopher M. Sommers
Filed herewith.
*By: /s/ Scott H. Pearce                                
Name: Scott H. Pearce
Title: Attorney-in-Fact

II-7




Table of Contents

Exhibit index


NumberDescription
1.1Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.2Form of Bylaws, as Amended and Restated
4.1Specimen Stock Certificate
5.1Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
10.1Form of Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of BioFuel Energy, LLC
10.2Credit Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, various financial institutions from time to time, as lenders, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent, and BNP Paribas, as administrative agent and arranger**
10.3Collateral Account Agreement dated September 25, 2006, among BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, as borrowers, BFE Operating Company, LLC, as borrowers’ agent, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary agent and securities intermediary**
10.4Form of Registration Rights Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto
10.5Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.6Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.7Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.8Distillers Grains Marketing Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.9Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC** #
10.10Corn Supply Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC** #
10.11Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Scott H. Pearce**
10.12Executive Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC and Daniel J. Simon**
10.13Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated April 28, 2006, between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc.** #
10.13.1First Amendment to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement between Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc., dated August 28, 2006** #

II-8




Table of Contents
NumberDescription
10.14Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated June 9, 2006, between Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC and TIC-The Industrial Company Wyoming, Inc.** #
10.15Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.16Master Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.17Grain Facility Lease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC**
10.18Grain Facility Lease and Sublease dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill, Incorporated and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC**
10.19Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC** #
10.20Cargill Direct Futures Advisory Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between Cargill Commodity Services Inc. and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC** #
10.21Loan Agreement dated September 25, 2006, between BioFuel Energy, LLC, the lenders party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent**
10.22BioFuel Energy, LLC Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees**
10.23BioFuel Energy, LLC Change of Control Plan**
10.24BioFuel Energy Corp 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
10.25BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.25.1Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.25.2Amendment to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.25.3Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Prototype Plan Document**
10.26BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement**
10.26.1Addendum to BioFuel Energy, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Adoption Agreement**
10.27Form of Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and the parties listed on the signature page thereto
10.28License Agreement dated June 9, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC** #
10.29License Agreement dated April 28, 2006 between Delta-T Corporation and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC** #
10.30Letter Agreement dated July 18, 2006 between Irik P. Sevin and BioFuel Energy, LLC**
10.31Assignment and Assumption of Option to Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 2007
10.31.1Alta Land Option Agreement dated September 11, 2006
10.31.2Amendment dated September 22, 2006 to Alta Land Option Agreement dated September 11, 2006
10.32Assignment and Assumption of Option to Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 2007
10.32.1Alta Land Option Agreement dated September 18, 2006

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Table of Contents
NumberDescription
10.33Form of Stockholders Agreement between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Cargill Biofuel Investments, LLC
21.1List of Subsidiaries of BioFuel Energy Corp.**
23.1Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1Powers of Attorney**
**Previously filed.To be filed by amendment.
***Filed previously.
#Application has been made to the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment of certain provisions of this exhibit. Omitted material for which confidential treatment has been requested has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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