SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2024 and are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position, and the results of its operations and its cash flows. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for a full year. Risks and Uncertainties The Company is currently in the development stage and has not yet commenced principal operations or generated revenue. The development of the Company’s projects are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the receipt of the necessary permits and regulatory approvals, commodity price risk impacting the decision to go forward with the projects, the availability and ability to obtain the necessary financing for the construction and development of projects. The Company’s ability to develop and operate commercial production facilities, as well as expand production at future commercial production facilities, is subject to many risks beyond its control, including regulatory developments, construction risks, and global and regional macroeconomic developments. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. The most significant estimates pertain to the calculations of the fair values of equity instruments, impairment of intangible and long-lived assets and income taxes. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Principles of Consolidation The Company’s policy is to consolidate all entities that the Company controls by ownership interest or other contractual rights giving the Company control over the most significant activities of an investee. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Verde Clean Fuels and its subsidiaries: OpCo, Intermediate, Bluescape Clean Fuels Employee Holdings, LLC, Bluescape Clean Fuels EmployeeCo., LLC, Bluescape Clean Fuels, LLC, and Maricopa Renewable Fuels I, LLC. Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash Equivalents The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had cash equivalents of $19,942,258 and $26,155,789, respectively, which were comprised of funds held in a short-term money market fund having investments in high-quality short-term securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in financial institutions, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) limit of $250,000. Additionally, the majority of the Company’s cash balances are held in a short-term money market fund that is not guaranteed by the FDIC. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had not experienced losses on these accounts, and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts. Accounts Receivable – Other Accounts receivable – other primarily consists of amounts to be reimbursed to the Company from Cottonmouth Ventures LLC (“Cottonmouth”) in connection with the terms of the joint development agreement (“JDA”) between the Company and Cottonmouth. See Notes 6 and 11 for further information. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, the Company’s accounts receivable are required to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through an allowance for credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the remaining life of the asset, rather than incurred losses. The Company considers the amounts due from Cottonmouth to be fully collectible and, accordingly, there was no allowance for credit losses recorded by the Company as of September 30, 2024. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature. The fair values of cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents, receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses are estimated to approximate their respective carrying values as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 due to the short-term maturities of such instruments. In determining fair value, the valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and cost approach shall be used to measure fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs, which represent the assumptions used by the buyer and seller in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are further defined as observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are those that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows: Level 1 — Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment. Level 2 — Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means. Level 3 — Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock Subsequent to the Business Combination, the Company’s capital structure is comprised of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A common stock”) and shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class C common stock”). Public stockholders, the Sponsor, and the investors in the private offering of securities of Verde Clean Fuels in connection with the Business Combination (the “PIPE Financing”) hold shares of Class A common stock and warrants, and Holdings owns shares of Class C common stock and Class C units of OpCo (the “Class C OpCo Units”). Holders of Class C OpCo Units, other than Verde Clean Fuels, have the right, subject to certain limitations, to exchange all or a portion of its Class C OpCo Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class C common stock for, at Opco’s election, (i) shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) an equivalent amount of cash. Each share of Class C common stock represents the right to cast one vote per share at the Verde Clean Fuels level and carries no economic rights, including rights to dividends or distributions upon liquidation. Thus, shares of Class C common stock are not participating securities per ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. As the shares of Class A common stock represent the only participating securities, the application of the two-class method is not required. Antidilutive instruments, including outstanding warrants, stock options, certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and earn out shares, were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 because the inclusion of such instruments would be anti-dilutive. As a result, diluted net loss per share of common stock is the same as basic net loss per share of common stock for all periods presented. Warrants The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and the applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The Company’s assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, whether they meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period-end date while the warrants are outstanding. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, they are recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, they are recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance and are subject to remeasurement each balance sheet date with changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants to be recognized as a non-cash gain or loss in the statement of operations. Segments Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The Company has determined that it operates in one operating segment, as the CODM reviews financial information presented on a combined basis for purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources, and evaluating financial performance. Income Taxes The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. The Company has elected to use the outside basis approach to measure the deferred tax assets or liabilities based on its investment in its subsidiaries without regard to the underlying assets or liabilities. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considered whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. The estimated useful lives of assets are as follows: Computers, office equipment and hardware 3 – 5 years Furniture and fixtures 7 years Machinery and equipment 7 years Leasehold improvements Shorter of the lease term (including estimated renewals) or the estimated useful lives of the improvement Directly identifiable costs incurred in connection with constructing an asset are capitalized to the extent that the construction project is probable of occurring. Depreciation expense is not recorded for construction in progress assets until construction is completed and the assets are placed into service. Cost reimbursement from project participants related to assets under construction is recorded as an offset to the construction in progress assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the accompanying statements of operations in the period realized. Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities consist of the following: As of September 30, December 31, Accrued bonus $ 215,104 $ - Accrued construction in progress 290,265 - Accrued legal fees - 237,839 Accrued professional fees 81,500 143,900 Accrued excise tax payable 1,587,975 1,587,975 Other accrued expenses 36,475 7,098 Total accrued expenses $ 2,211,319 $ 1,976,812 Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into federal law. The IR Act provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases of stock occurring on or after January 1, 2023. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its stockholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. The amount of repurchases applicable to the excise tax can be reduced by the fair market value of any issuances at the time of issuance that occurred during the year, as well as certain exceptions provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”). In April 2024, the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released proposed regulations that detail the kinds of transactions that are and are not subject to the new excise tax as well as give procedural guidance on how and when companies should pay the tax. Final regulations providing procedural guidance have been issued, however final regulations regarding the excise tax computation have not yet been issued. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has recorded an excise tax liability of $1,587,975, which is included within Accrued Liabilities on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Leases The Company accounts for leases under ASU 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842)”. The core principle of ASC 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases by recognizing in the consolidated balance sheet a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset (“ROU asset”) representing the lessee’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 842, leases are classified as finance or operating leases, and both types of leases are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. Certain lease arrangements may contain renewal options. Renewal options are included in the expected lease term only if they are reasonably certain of being exercised by the Company. The Company elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from lease components for real estate lease arrangements. The Company combines the lease and non-lease component into a single accounting unit and accounts for the unit under ASC 842 where lease and non-lease components are included in the classification of the lease and the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. In addition, the Company has elected the practical expedient to not apply lease recognition requirements to leases with a term of one year or less. Under this expedient, lease costs are not capitalized; rather, are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s leases do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictions or covenants. The Company uses either the rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for a period comparable to the lease term in order to calculate the net present value of the lease liability. The incremental borrowing rate represents the rate that would approximate the rate to borrow funds on a collateralized basis over a similar term and in a similar economic environment. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets The Company’s intangible asset consists of its intellectual property and patented technology and is considered an indefinite-lived intangible asset and is not subject to amortization. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the gross and carrying amount of this intangible asset was $1,925,151. Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets A qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets is performed in order to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. In performing this analysis, macroeconomic, industry and market conditions are considered in addition to current and forecasted financial performance, entity-specific events and changes in the composition or carrying amount of net assets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not record any impairment charges. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when indicators of impairment exist. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the estimated separately identifiable, undiscounted cash flows from such asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the estimated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not record any impairment charges. Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Additionally, section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. The Company expects to be an emerging growth company through 2026. Prior to the Business Combination, CENAQ elected to irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period, which means that when a financial accounting standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company will adopt the new or revised standard when those standards are effective for public registrants. Equity-Based Compensation The Company applies ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), in accounting for unit and share-based compensation to employees. Unit-Based Compensation Service-based unit compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the equity instruments awarded and is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, or the requisite service period, which is usually the vesting period. Performance-based unit compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the equity instruments awarded and is expensed over the requisite service period, based on the probability of achieving the performance goal, with changes in expectations recognized as an adjustment to earnings in the period of the change. If the performance goal is not met, no unit-based compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized unit-based compensation expense is reversed. Forfeitures of service-based and performance-based units are recognized upon the time of occurrence. Prior to closing of the Business Combination, certain subsidiaries of the Company, including Intermediate, were wholly-owned subsidiaries of Holdings. Holdings, which was outside of the Business Combination perimeter, had entered into several compensation related arrangements with management of Intermediate. Compensation costs associated with those arrangements were allocated by Holdings to Intermediate as the employees were rendering services to Intermediate. However, the ultimate contractual obligation related to these awards, including any future settlement, rested and continues to rest with Holdings. On August 5, 2022, Holdings entered into an agreement with its management team whereby all outstanding unvested Series A Incentive Units and Founder Incentive Units became fully vested on the closing of the Business Combination. As part of the agreement, the priority of distributions under the Series A Incentive Units and Founders Incentive Units was also revised such that participants receive 10% of distributions after a specified return to Holdings’ Series A Preferred Unit holders (instead of 20%). Series A Incentive Units refers to 800 incentive units issued by Holdings on August 7, 2020 to certain members of management of Intermediate in compensation for their services. Founder Incentive Units refers to 1,000 incentive units issued by Holdings on August 7, 2020 to certain members of management of Intermediate in compensation for their services. In connection with the close of the Business Combination, the Company accelerated the unvested service and performance-based units and recorded share-based payment expense within general and administrative expense of $2,146,792 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Performance conditions for the performance-based Founder Incentive Units had not and were unlikely to be met as of September 30, 2024. As such, no Equity-Based Awards In March 2023, the Company authorized and approved the Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”). The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and the fair value of RSUs on the date of grant based on the value of the stock price on that date, subject to a discount for lack of marketability. The cost of awarded equity instruments is recognized based on each instrument’s grant-date fair value over the period during which the grantee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The determination of fair value requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly with regard to Black-Scholes assumptions such as stock price volatility and expected option term. Equity-based compensation is recorded as a general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company estimates the expected term of options granted based on peer benchmarking and expectations. Treasury yield curve rates are used for the risk-free interest rate in the option valuation model with maturities similar to the expected term of the options. Volatility is determined by reference to the actual volatility of several publicly traded peer companies that are similar to the Company in its industry sector. The Company does not anticipate paying cash dividends and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The Company assesses whether a discount for lack of marketability is applied based on certain liquidity factors. All equity-based payment awards subject to graded vesting based only on a service condition are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods. There is substantial judgment in selecting the assumptions used to determine the fair value of such equity awards, and other companies could use similar market inputs and experience and arrive at different conclusions. RSUs represent an unsecured right to receive one share of the Company’s Class A common stock equal to the value of the Class A common stock on the settlement date. RSUs have a zero-exercise price and vest over time in whole after the first anniversary of the date of grant subject to continuous service through the vesting date. Contingent Consideration Holdings had an arrangement payable to the Company’s CEO and a consultant whereby a contingent payment could become payable in the event that certain return on investment hurdles were met. On August 5, 2022, Holdings entered into an agreement with the Company’s management and CEO whereby if the Business Combination was completed, the contingent consideration would be forfeited. The Business Combination closed on February 15, 2023, and therefore the contingent consideration arrangement was terminated, and no payments were made. Thus, $1,299,000 of accrued contingent consideration was reversed through earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. No Recent Accounting Standards In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 enhances segment reporting under Topic 280 by expanding the breadth and frequency of segment disclosures. ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of significant expenses that are regularly provided to an entity’s CODM and included in the reported measure(s) of a segment’s profit or loss. When applying this disclosure requirement, an entity identifies the segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM or easily computable from information that is regularly provided to the CODM. Entities are also required to disclose other segment items, i.e., the difference between reported segment revenue less the significant segment expenses and the reported measure(s) of a segment’s profit or loss. ASU 2023-07 also clarifies that single reportable segment entities are subject to Topic 280 in its entirety. ASU 2023-07 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 should be adopted retrospectively unless impracticable. Early adoption is permitted. The disclosures required by ASU 2023-07 are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires public entities, on an annual basis, to provide: a tabular rate reconciliation (using both percentages and reporting currency amounts) of (1) the reported income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations, to (2) the product of the income (or loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and the applicable statutory federal (national) income tax rate of the jurisdiction (country) of domicile using specific categories, and separate disclosure for any reconciling items within certain categories that are equal to or greater than a specified quantitative threshold. For each annual period presented, ASU 2023-09 also requires all reporting entities to disclose the year-to-date amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign. It also requires additional disaggregated information on income taxes paid (net of refunds received) to an individual jurisdiction equal to or greater than 5% of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). ASU 2023-09 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-09 is to be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2024, the SEC issued Release No. 33-11275, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors”, which will mandate detailed disclosure of certain climate-related information, including, among other items, material climate-related risks and related governance, strategy and risk management processes, certain financial statement disclosures, and Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, if material, for certain public companies. In April 2024, the SEC issued an administrative stay of the implementation of Release No. 33-11275, pending judicial review. Prior to the stay, the required disclosures were subject to a phased compliance timeline, with initial disclosures for non-accelerated filers and smaller reporting companies commencing with the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027. The Company is currently monitori |