CHICAGO, CENTRAL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY INDUSTRY TRACK AGREEMENT CCP 10646 Dated this 19th day of October 2006 between CHICAGO, CENTRAL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY – and – AMAZING ENERGY, LLC Lorraine McRae Contract Administrator Business...
Exhibit 10.14
CHICAGO, CENTRAL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
INDUSTRY TRACK AGREEMENT CCP 10646
Dated this 19th day of October 2006
between
CHICAGO, CENTRAL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
– and –
AMAZING ENERGY, LLC
Xxxxxxxx XxXxx
Contract Administrator
Business Development
Canadian National Railway Company
000 xx xx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Contract Administrator
Business Development
Canadian National Railway Company
000 xx xx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
X0X 0X0
telephone (000) 000-0000
faxmittal (000) 000-0000
email: xxxxxxxx.xxxxx@xx.xx
faxmittal (000) 000-0000
email: xxxxxxxx.xxxxx@xx.xx
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THIS AGREEMENT entered into as of this 19th day of October 2006 by and between
Chicago, Central and Pacific Railroad Company, hereinafter called (“RAILROAD”), whose post office
address is 00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 and Amazing Energy, LLC hereinafter
called (“INDUSTRY”), whose post office address is 0000 Xxx. 00 X., Xxxxxxx, XX 00000.
WHEREAS, INDUSTRY desires the use, operation and maintenance of approximately eight thousand
five hundred (8,500) feet of track (“Track”) to serve INDUSTRY near Milepost 450.87 of the
RAILROAD’s Omaha Subdivision, City of Xxxxxxx, State of Iowa and located substantially as indicated
in black and red shown on the print dated 12 October 2006 attached hereto and which forms part
hereof (hereinafter called the “Agreement Plan”), and RAILROAD is willing to permit the same;
WHEREAS, IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED that INDUSTRY retains the right to enter into agreement with other
railroads (“railroads”) for use of the Track, and RAILROAD will not interfere with this right,
provided such use does not unreasonably interfere with RAILROAD operations pursuant to this
Agreement and the rights under this Agreement herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree
as follows:
1. RIGHT-OF-WAY
(a) INDUSTRY, without cost to RAILROAD, shall provide all the right-of-way and secure all
authority or permission, public and private, required for the operation of the Track in case and
insofar as the Track extends beyond RAILROAD’s property. INDUSTRY shall not construct or allow the
construction of any road (public or private), gate, tunnel, bridge, culvert, pit, gasoline, pipe or
other items on, over, under or along the Track or right-of-way without RAILROAD’s actual knowledge
in writing prior to any such construction. INDUSTRY accepts all responsibility for the
construction, maintenance, repair and removal costs for the foregoing items, as well as any
protective appliances required in connection with the operation of the Track.
(b) INDUSTRY shall indemnify, defend and save harmless RAILROAD from and against any and all
claims, demands and causes of action of any party whatsoever and all cost and expense incident
thereto, including attorneys’ fees and costs, which may be sustained or incurred by RAILROAD
arising from the lack or failure of title of INDUSTRY to said right-of-way or failure to comply
with the foregoing covenant.
2. OWNERSHIP, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
(a) RAILROAD shall own, have sole control of, and shall maintain, repair and renew, and keep
free and clear of snow, ice, weeds and similar obstructions that portion of the Track shown on the
Agreement Plan and as identified as from points “A” to “B” AND “E” to “F”.
(b) INDUSTRY shall own and, at its own cost and expense, maintain, repair and renew, and keep
free and clear of snow, ice, weeds and similar obstructions, that portion of the Track as shown on
the Agreement Plan and as identified in red. INDUSTRY shall maintain said portion in a condition
which will safely and satisfactorily accommodate the equipment to be operated thereover by
RAILROAD. In the event INDUSTRY shall fail to so maintain, RAILROAD may refuse to operate and
shall be under no obligation nor shall it have any liability if it does not operate over said
portion of the Track. Failure of RAILROAD to notify INDUSTRY of the need of such repairs or
RAILROAD’s continued operation over the Track shall not relieve INDUSTRY of its obligation to
maintain said portion of the Track in a safe condition and shall not relieve INDUSTRY of any
responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its failure to so maintain. Further, INDUSTRY
shall provide adequate drainage and keep the area along and adjacent to said portion of the Track
free and clear of all ice and snow, materials, obstacles and debris so as to provide a safe workway
for RAILROAD’s employees. Any future changes in or extensions of the Track upon which RAILROAD
would be expected to operate railroad locomotives and cars thereover shall not be made by INDUSTRY
without prior written notice to RAILROAD’s Contract Administrator, or his authorized
representative.
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(c) INDUSTRY shall pay all compensation, assessments, fees, taxes and other charges and agrees
to comply with all statutes and regulations required at any time by any federal, state or municipal
authority, person or corporation regarding the maintenance, operation and ownership of the Track
and the property in the vicinity thereof.
3. ADDITIONS, BETTERMENTS AND CHANGES TO TRACK
(a) INDUSTRY shall pay to RAILROAD the cost and expense of all additions, betterments and
changes to the Track as, in the judgment of RAILROAD, may be necessary, including, but not limited
to, the cost of installation and maintenance of derails, signals and other safety devices and
changes rendered necessary by changes in RAILROAD’s tracks, property or operating requirements,
including a change of grade or alignment required by any federal, state or municipal law or
ordinance.
(b) In addition, INDUSTRY shall pay to RAILROAD the cost and expense of any changes in or
additions to RAILROAD’s tracks and property made necessary by the construction, maintenance or
operation of the Track.
4. SERVICE & USE
(a) RAILROAD shall have control of the operation of railroad locomotives and cars over the
Track, and shall have the right to enter upon the property of INDUSTRY, for the purpose of
operating and using the Track. RAILROAD shall deliver on the Track all freight in carloads
consigned to INDUSTRY and will place empty cars thereon for loading full carloads to be shipped by
INDUSTRY pursuant to tariff or contract rates. RAILROAD shall have the right to extend, cross and
connect with the Track, when such extension, crossing or connection does not unreasonably interfere
with service to INDUSTRY.
(b) It is acknowledged that service coordination between RAILROAD, railroads, and Industry
will be required.
(c) RAILROAD shall not be obligated to operate over the Track if prevented or hindered from
doing so by acts of God, public authority, strikes, riots, labor disputes or any other cause beyond
its control.
5. CLEARANCES
(a) INDUSTRY shall not place, permit to be placed, or allow to remain, any material,
equipment, structure, pole, wire, cable or other obstacle or obstruction of any kind adjacent to
said Track at distances less than, nine (9) feet on straight track or ten (10) feet on curved
track, laterally of the center, or within thirty-five (35) feet vertically from the top of either
rail of the Track; nor shall it make, permit to be made, or allow to remain, any excavation
adjacent to the Track. The number of feet of clearance herein specified may be changed by RAILROAD
at any time to meet legal requirements by giving written notice thereof to INDUSTRY. Any such
approved RAILROAD change shall not relieve INDUSTRY from any risk arising from establishment of
clearance less than those herein above specifically described. Within 10 days after receipt of
such notice, INDUSTRY shall, at its own expense, proceed to make such changes as may be necessary
to comply therewith. If INDUSTRY shall fail to do so, RAILROAD shall have the option of making
such changes at the expense of INDUSTRY or suspending service over the Track. Should RAILROAD
exercise its option to make such changes, INDUSTRY agrees to pay the cost and expense thereof.
(b) RAILROAD acknowledges that the section of the Track, identified as the Close Clearance
Area on the Agreement Plan, does not meet the aforementioned clearance requirements. Appropriate
signage has been erected allowing RAILROAD to operate safely within this area.
6. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) It is understood that the movement of railroad locomotives involves some risk of fire.
INDUSTRY agrees to assume responsibility for and to protect, defend, indemnify and save harmless
RAILROAD, its parent and affiliates and all its officers, directors, agents, invitees and employees
thereof (hereinafter referred to collectively in this Section 6 as RAILROAD), against loss or
damage (including costs of defense, settlement and attorneys’ fees) to property, other than
property of RAILROAD or rolling stock or lading belonging to third parties, arising directly or
indirectly from fire caused by locomotives operated by RAILROAD on or near the Track while serving
INDUSTRY, whether such loss or damage is caused or contributed to, in whole or in part, by the
negligence or strict liability of RAILROAD.
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(b) INDUSTRY further agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and save harmless RAILROAD, from
and against, and to assume payment in full of any and all liabilities, penalties, fines, demands,
claims, causes of action, suits and costs (including costs of defense, settlement and attorneys’
fees) which any or all of them may suffer or incur relating in any way to the Track or associated
right of way, whether caused or contributed to, in whole or in part, by the negligent act or
omission or strict liability of RAILROAD, as a result of:
| (i) | Damage to or loss of use of any public or private property whatsoever; contamination of or adverse effects on the environment; or any violation or alleged violation of statutes, ordinances, orders, rules or regulations of any governmental entity or agency, directly or indirectly caused by, or arising in whole or in part out of, any act or omission of INDUSTRY, its employees, agents or representatives; | ||
| (ii) | Bodily injuries, including death, to any person whomsoever directly or indirectly caused by, or arising in whole or in part out of, any act or omission of INDUSTRY, its employees, agents or representatives; | ||
| (iii) | Bodily injuries, including death, to any trespasser or other third party on the Track or associated right of way, regardless of any act or omission of RAILROAD; and | ||
| (iv) | Violation by INDUSTRY of any provision of this Agreement. |
(c) In the event INDUSTRY fails to defend RAILROAD as specified herein, RAILROAD shall assume
such defense. INDUSTRY shall remain responsible for all costs thereof, including attorney’s fees,
and be bound by all judgments or settlements resulting therefrom.
(d) The Comprehensive Environmental Responses, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (Public
Law 96-510), which imposes liability for contamination of or adverse effects on the environment,
contains no statute of limitations for the enforcement of liability arising under the Act. It is
therefore expressly agreed between the parties that the indemnity set forth in Paragraph 6 (b)(i),
as it relates to said Act, shall survive the expiration, termination, and any and all extensions
and assignments of this Agreement.
7. INSURANCE
So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, or until all of INDUSTRY’S Cars shall be
removed from the Track (whichever date is later), INDUSTRY shall obtain at its own cost and expense
and keep in full force and effect and maintain with companies satisfactory to RAILROAD,
Comprehensive General Liability Insurance insuring INDUSTRY against any and all damages, costs and
expenses resulting from or arising in connection with bodily injury (including death) to any person
and/or loss, damage or destruction of any property resulting from, growing out of or incidental to
this Agreement with limits of not less than FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000) combined single limit
for death or injury to each person and property damage. In the event the policy is a Claims Made
policy, coverage shall include an aggregate of TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000). The policy must
name RAILROAD as an Additional Named Insured and shall contain a waiver of subrogation provision
against RAILROAD, and to be so written that the insurers shall have no claim or recourse of any
kind whatsoever against RAILROAD or RAILROAD’s property. Said insurance also must not contain any
exclusions related to: (i) doing business on, near, or adjacent to railroad facilities or (ii)
loss or damage resulting from surface, subsurface pollution, contamination or seepage, or handling,
treatment, disposal, or dumping of waste materials or substances.
The policy shall provide for not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to RAILROAD
of cancellation of or modification to the policy. A duplicate copy of such insurance policy or
certificate of insurance shall be furnished to RAILROAD upon execution of this Agreement. Delivery
of the policy of insurance or certificate required by this section and RAILROAD’S acceptance
thereof is not intended to and shall not relieve, limit, affect, or modify INDUSTRY’S obligations
under this Agreement.
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It is further understood and agreed that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in force or
until all of INDUSTRY’S Cars shall be removed from the Track (whichever shall be later), RAILROAD
shall have the right, from time to time, to revise the amount or form of insurance provided herein,
as circumstances or changing economic conditions may require. RAILROAD shall give INDUSTRY written
notice of any such requested change at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of expiration of
the then existing policy or policies, which notice constitutes an amendment to this Agreement and
shall become a part hereof; and INDUSTRY agrees to thereupon provide RAILROAD with such revised
policy or policies.
8. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARS
INDUSTRY shall pay to RAILROAD the loss due to damage or destruction of car or cars placed on
the Track for loading or unloading by INDUSTRY while on the Track, whether due to the improper use
of said cars by INDUSTRY, or INDUSTRY’s agents or employees, or to fire, or to any other cause.
9. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LADING
RAILROAD shall not be liable for damage or loss of any kind to goods, articles, or property of
any description that may be shipped by INDUSTRY over the Track until and unless the car or cars
containing such goods, articles, or other property, shall have been removed by RAILROAD and
transportation and shipping instructions given to RAILROAD, nor shall RAILROAD be liable or
responsible for any goods, articles or other property, of any description whatsoever, delivered by
it on the Track after the cars or cars containing the same is or are placed on the Track.
10. ASSIGNMENT
INDUSTRY shall not assign or transfer this Agreement, or any interest therein, or permit the
use of the Track, or any portion thereof, by any other person, firm or corporation, without the
prior written consent of RAILROAD. Any assignment or transfer of interest in contravention of this
provision shall be null and void. Subject to the above, this Agreement shall be binding upon the
parties, their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
11. USE OF TRACK BY THIRD PARTIES
INDUSTRY shall not lease to a third party, or otherwise grant to a third party the right to
use, all or a portion of the premises served by the Track, without the prior written consent of
RAILROAD, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. INDUSTRY shall promptly notify
RAILROAD in writing and INDUSTRY shall require such third party to execute an agreement with
RAILROAD covering use of all or a portion of the Track in a form satisfactory to Railroad, whereby
said third party agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions which apply to INDUSTRY
under this Agreement. It is understood, however, that execution of said agreement by said third
party shall not relieve INDUSTRY of any of its obligations under this Agreement. In the event
INDUSTRY fails to notify RAILROAD and fails to require such third party to execute an agreement,
all as heretofore provided, INDUSTRY shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless RAILROAD, as defined
in Section 6 (a), from and against any loss, cost, damage or expense which would have been the
responsibility of said third party had said third party executed an agreement with RAILROAD.
12. TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
This Agreement shall be in effect from the date hereof until either RAILROAD or INDUSTRY shall
at any time serve notice to terminate this Agreement by giving sixty (60) days written notice to
the other party of its intention to do so. This Agreement shall run with the land upon which the
Track is located and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns
of the parties hereto. In the event INDUSTRY fails to utilize the Track for twelve (12)
consecutive months, RAILROAD may consider the Track abandoned. Any termination of this Agreement,
whether pursuant to this section or otherwise, shall be without prejudice to any rights or
obligations that may have accrued to either party prior to the termination.
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13. TRACK REMOVAL
Upon the termination of this Agreement, or if the Track be abandoned or be no longer used for
the purpose for which constructed, each of the parties hereto shall have the right to take up and
remove that portion of the Track owned by it without liability of any kind to the other party for
so doing. If a portion of the Track owned by INDUSTRY is constructed across or along a public
street, RAILROAD shall have the right to require INDUSTRY, at INDUSTRY’s sole cost and expense, to
remove the Track from the street and to restore the pavement, sidewalks, water mains, sewer and
other utilities located therein, by giving written notice to INDUSTRY prior to the expiration of
the term of this Agreement. INDUSTRY shall cause such work to be performed within ninety (90) days
after receipt of RAILROAD’s notice. If INDUSTRY fails to remove the Track and restore the
property, RAILROAD shall have the right to perform the work at the sole risk and expense of
INDUSTRY.
14. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(a) As used herein, “Hazardous Substance” means any substance that is toxic, ignitable,
reactive or corrosive and that is regulated by any local, state or federal government or agency
thereof. “Hazardous Substance” includes any and all material or substances that are defined as
“hazardous waste”, pursuant to state, federal, or local governmental law. “Hazardous Substance”
includes but is not restricted to asbestos, polychlorobiphenyls (“PCBs”), and petroleum.
(b) INDUSTRY shall not cause or permit any Hazardous Substance to be used, stored, generated
or disposed of (a) on the Track (except in railcar shipments), or (b) within the clearance
requirements established herein, or (c) within one hundred (100) feet of RAILROAD’s connecting
mainline track by INDUSTRY, INDUSTRY’s agents, employees, contractors, subcontractors or invitees,
or any related persons or entities. Any permitted storage of Hazardous Substances shall be in
compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and requirements of all
governmental authorities and the various departments thereof. If Hazardous Substances are used,
stored, generated, or disposed of on or in the Track or right of way as permitted above, or if
Hazardous Substances are used, stored, generated, or disposed of on, in or from the Track or right
of way in violation of local, state, or federal law, or if the Track or right of way or
surrounding, adjacent or nearby property becomes contaminated in any manner for which INDUSTRY is
legally liable, INDUSTRY shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless RAILROAD, as defined in Section
6 (a), from any and all claims, damages, fines, judgments, penalties, costs, liabilities, or losses
(including, without limitation, any and all sums paid for settlement of claims, attorneys’ fees,
consultant, and expert fees) arising during or after the term of this Agreement and arising as a
result of that use, storage, generation, disposal or contamination by INDUSTRY. This
indemnification includes, without limitation, any and all costs incurred because of any
investigation of contamination or violation of local state or federal law, or any cleanup, removal,
or restoration mandated by a federal, state or local government or agency thereof.
15. GENERAL TERMS
(a) Failure or delay of RAILROAD to require full compliance with any one or more of the terms
of this Agreement shall not be held as a waiver of a right to subsequently insist upon such
compliance or terminate this Agreement, or to terminate this Agreement for any subsequent breach
which may occur, or to enforce any other provision of this Agreement.
(b) The waiver of a breach of any of the terms or conditions hereof shall be limited to the
act or acts constituting such breach and shall never be construed as being a continuing or
permanent waiver of any such terms or conditions, all of which shall be and remain in full force
and effect as to future acts or happenings, notwithstanding any such waiver.
(c) The captions of the various Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and are
not to be considered in the interpretation hereof.
(d) No termination of this Agreement shall release either party hereto from any liability or
obligations which have accrued prior to said termination. The indemnification obligations of the
parties shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
(e) The quality of work employed and the materials used by INDUSTRY or its contractor in the
performance of this Agreement shall conform to the specifications of, and be subject to, the
approval of RAILROAD’s Division Engineer.
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(f) The terms “cost and expense” as used in this Agreement shall include, but not be limited
to, all expenditures incurred by RAILROAD in performance hereof, including changes in or relocation
of poles, wires and other obstructions. Assignable costs shall be added to labor costs to cover
general supervision, accounting, use of tools, and other elements of expense not capable of exact
ascertainment. Material shall be billed at current market value and shall include the cost of
storage and transportation. Work train service and use of equipment shall be billed at established
rates.
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 2 (a), if the roadhaul revenue traffic handled
over the Track has not met twenty (20) cars or more in the previous year, it will be deemed
insufficient to meet RAILROAD’s cost of incidental maintenance and inspection of the connection,
and the costs associated with clearing of snow, ice, weeds, and similar obstructions from the
connection. RAILROAD will notify the INDUSTRY and request that the INDUSTRY pay an annual
maintenance fee for the connection until traffic handled over the Track has increased sufficiently
to meet the aforementioned costs. Such annual maintenance is $5,000 as of the date hereof. The
maintenance fee will be subject to adjustment from time to time.
(h) All notices required herein shall be sent to INDUSTRY in writing by mail, overnight
courier or by facsimile addressed to the General Manager, 0000 Xxx. 00 X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000;
telephone (000) 000-0000; facsimile (000) 000-0000.
All notices required herein shall be sent to RAILROAD in writing by mail, overnight courier,
or by facsimile addressed to the Contract Administrator, 935 de la Gauchetière Street West, Floor
8, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X 0X0; telephone (000) 000-0000; facsimile (000) 000-0000.
(i) If any section, subsection, sentence or clause of this Agreement shall be adjudged
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect
the legality, validity or enforceability of any other section, subsection, sentence or clause
hereof not so adjudged and shall not invalidate this Agreement as a whole.
(j) This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties and cancels and
supersedes all prior agreements or understandings regarding the Track or property described herein,
except as to obligations incurred by either party under such agreements prior to the date hereof.
(k) INDUSTRY shall notify RAILROAD not less than three (3) business days prior to performing
any Work on RAILROAD Property or rendering any portion of the Track unusable.
(l) In the event that INDUSTRY uses its own motive power equipment to move railroad cars over
the Track, in no case shall movement be permitted unless INDUSTRY’s equipment is properly equipped
with a standard railroad car coupling device, commonly referred to as a knuckle, and said device is
securely fastened to INDUSTRY’s equipment and properly in use. INDUSTRY’s equipment shall be of
sufficient strength to be able to move and stop in a safe manner any cars, loaded or empty, coupled
to the device for movement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly
authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
| AMAZING ENERGY, LLC | CHICAGO, CENTRAL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY | |||||||||||
| 0000 Xxx. 00 X. | 000 xx xx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx. 0 | |||||||||||
| Denison, Iowa | Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx | |||||||||||
| 00000 | X0X 0X0 | |||||||||||
By: |
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||||||||
| Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxx | Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||||||||||
| Title: President | Title: Vice-President — Treasurer | |||||||||||
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