Update on One Earth Energy Carbon Capture Project and Ethanol Production Expansion

REX continues to progress construction of the carbon capture and compression facility portion of its One Earth Energy carbon capture and sequestration project.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Class VI injection well technical review process is ongoing. Approval of REX’s Class VI injection well application is necessary to begin construction on the sequestration portion of the project and to begin operations. The EPA currently projects issuance of a draft permit for the project by the end of 2024, with a final permit decision in second quarter 2025.

On July 18, 2024, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a moratorium on the construction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) pipelines in the state. The law pauses construction on CO₂ pipelines in Illinois until July 1, 2026, or until finalization of new Federal pipeline rules that may be issued by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, whichever comes first.

At this time, the necessary utility interconnection work required for testing and commissioning of the carbon capture and compression facility is progressing well. The Illinois utility carrying out the interconnection work anticipates the new interconnection will be complete by first quarter 2025.

In light of the currently in flux timetable for permitting of the complete facility, and the utility interconnection schedule, REX management took the financially prudent decision not to accelerate the current pace of construction, which resulted in the facility’s construction phase extending past the previously anticipated completion timeframe of the end of July. This approach will allow for completion of the carbon capture and compression facility on an appropriate timeline, while controlling expenditures.

REX is on track to complete the expansion of its One Earth Energy ethanol production facility by the end of first quarter 2025. When complete, production capacity will increase from 150 million to 175 million gallons per year. Once this is achieved, REX plans to move forward with the further permitting of the facility to produce 200 million gallons per year of ethanol, which the Company expects will require no further capital expenditure.

Through the end of fiscal second quarter 2024, capital expenditures related to the One Earth Energy carbon capture and sequestration project totaled $49.1 million, and expenditures for expansion of ethanol production capacity totaled $41.7 million. The combined capital spending of $90.8 million remains on plan, with the Company still budgeting a total spend of $165-$175 million for these projects.

Balance Sheet

At the end of fiscal second quarter 2024 on July 31, 2024, REX had $346.0 million of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments available and no bank debt.

Management Commentary

"REX American’s ethanol production operations continue to produce industry-leading results across varying market environments," said Zafar Rizvi, REX Chief Executive Officer. "This quarter the REX team was again able to deliver standout gross margin and earnings per share. By keeping a focus on managing our expenses and seizing on opportunities available to us in the corn market REX continues to consistently deliver positive returns for our shareholders.

"The One Earth Energy carbon capture and sequestration facility is moving forward. We continue to monitor developments in Illinois and remain positive on the ultimate outcome of the regulatory process in the state. The EPA Class VI well permit process is moving forward, with overall approval of the injection wells anticipated in second quarter 2025. The required utility interconnection work has begun and we anticipate its completion by end of the first quarter 2025, in line with when we expect completion of the expansion of our ethanol production facility’s capacity to 175 million gallons per year. In our permitting work, construction efforts, and in our ongoing ethanol operations, we are working within conditions to achieve the optimal outcome every day, and realize the best possible results for our shareholders," concluded Mr. Rizvi.

Conference Call Information

REX will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today to discuss the Company’s quarterly results and will also host a question and answer session. To access the conference call, interested parties may dial (877) 269-7751 (US) or (201) 389-0908 (international). Participants can also view an updated presentation, as well as listen to a live webcast of the call by going to the Investors section on the REX website at www.rexamerican.com. A replay will be available shortly after the live conference call and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 (US) or (412) 317-6671 (international). The passcode for the replay is 13748164. The replay will be available for 30 days after the call.

About REX American Resources Corporation

REX American Resources Corporation has interests in six ethanol production facilities, which in aggregate have production capacity totaling approximately 730 million gallons per year. REX’s effective ownership of annual volumes is approximately 300 million gallons. Further information about REX is available at www.rexamerican.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news announcement contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "anticipate" or "continue" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Readers are cautioned that there are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include among other things: the effect of pandemics such as COVID-19 on the Company’s business operations, including impacts on supplies, demand, personnel and other factors, the impact of legislative and regulatory changes, the price volatility and availability of corn, distillers grains, ethanol, distillers corn oil, commodity market risk, gasoline and natural gas, ethanol plants operating efficiently and according to forecasts and projections, logistical interruptions, success in permitting and developing the planned carbon sequestration facility near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant, changes in the international, national or regional economies, the impact of inflation, the ability to attract employees, weather, results of income tax audits, changes in income tax laws or regulations, the impact of U.S. foreign trade policy, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the effects of terrorism or acts of war. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

 

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Contacts

Investors
Douglas Bruggeman
Chief Financial Officer

Caldwell Bailey
ICR, Inc.
[email protected]