UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009
or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number 000-51968
MMC ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 98-0493819 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
26 Broadway New York NY 10004 |
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code) |
(212) 977-0900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨
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 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
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ¨ No x
As of May 15, 2009 the registrant had 14,161,325 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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PART I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
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ITEM 1 | Financial Statements | |
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| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 | 2 |
| | |
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 | 3 |
| | |
| Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) for the period from January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009 | 4 |
| | |
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 | 5 |
| | |
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | 6 |
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ITEM 2 | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 17 |
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ITEM 3 | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 24 |
| | |
ITEM 4T | Controls and Procedures | 24 |
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PART II | OTHER INFORMATION | |
| | |
ITEM 1 | Legal Proceedings | 24 |
| | |
ITEM 1A | Risk Factors | 25 |
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ITEM 2 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 25 |
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ITEM 3 | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 25 |
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ITEM 4 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 25 |
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ITEM 5 | Other Information | 25 |
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ITEM 6 | Exhibits | 26 |
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SIGNATURES | 27 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements under “Business,” “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, and the plans and objectives of management and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed, implied or inferred by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, those listed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expects," "plans," "intends," “anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether we can achieve positive future results, levels of activity, performance, or goals. Actual events or results may differ materially. We undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report to conform those statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MMC ENERGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (unaudited) | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and equivalents | | $ | 3,911,748 | | | $ | 5,915,432 | |
Accounts receivable (Note 3) | | | 356,202 | | | | 420,209 | |
Unbilled receivables (Note 3) | | | 23,797 | | | | 230,722 | |
Spare parts inventories | | | 100,947 | | | | 98,500 | |
Prepaids and deposits (Note 3) | | | 223,404 | | | | 243,048 | |
Total current assets | | | 4,616,098 | | | | 6,907,911 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 4) | | | 36,372,669 | | | | 4,915,372 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other assets: | | | | | | | | |
Deferred costs (Note 5) | | | 1,187,993 | | | | 2,659,477 | |
Long-term deposits (Note 6) | | | 2,063,206 | | | | 28,728,604 | |
Other assets and deferred charges (Note 7) | | | 340,409 | | | | 415,919 | |
Total other assets | | | 3,591,608 | | | | 31,804,000 | |
Total assets | | $ | 44,580,375 | | | $ | 43,627,283 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities & Stockholders' equity | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 8) | | $ | 6,883,445 | | | $ | 444,456 | |
Accounts payable | | | 807,631 | | | | 2,086,286 | |
Deferred gain | | | 398,000 | | | | - | |
Accrued interest | | | 12,108 | | | | 15,814 | |
Accrued compensation | | | 255,518 | | | | 344,022 | |
Other accrued expenses | | | 655,356 | | | | 2,276,671 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 9,012,058 | | | | 5,167,249 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt (Note 8) | | | 1,407,366 | | | | 1,518,480 | |
Commitments & contingencies (Note 9) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders' Equity (Note 11) | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stock; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding; $.001 par value | | | - | | | | - | |
Common stock; 300,000,000 shares authorized with 14,194,347 issued and 14,161,325 outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and as of December 31, 2008; $.001 par value | | | 14,194 | | | | 14,194 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 62,158,293 | | | | 62,041,693 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (27,982,173 | ) | | | (25,084,970 | ) |
Treasury stock | | | (29,363 | ) | | | (29,363 | ) |
Total stockholders' equity | | | 34,160,951 | | | | 36,941,554 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 44,580,375 | | | $ | 43,627,283 | |
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
MMC ENERGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 | | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 | |
Operating revenues: | | | | | | |
Resource adequacy capacity | | $ | 519,620 | | | $ | 581,750 | |
Ancillary services | | | 25,744 | | | | 5,138 | |
Energy production | | | 62,267 | | | | 143,497 | |
Total operating revenues | | | 607,631 | | | | 730,385 | |
Costs of sales: | | | | | | | | |
Costs of resource adequacy capacity | | | 37,672 | | | | 42,177 | |
Costs of ancillary services | | | 1,079 | | | | 4,316 | |
Costs of energy production | | | 77,448 | | | | 75,045 | |
Total costs of sales | | | 116,199 | | | | 121,538 | |
Gross Profit | | | 491,432 | | | | 608,847 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 179,595 | | | | 294,322 | |
Operations and maintenance | | | 647,201 | | | | 730,123 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,074,170 | | | | 1,517,587 | |
Loss on disposal | | | 135,339 | | | | - | |
Impairment charges | | | 1,292,985 | | | | - | |
Total operating expenses | | | 3,329,290 | | | | 2,542,032 | |
Loss from operations | | | (2,837,858 | ) | | | (1,933,185 | ) |
Interest and other expenses | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | (65,448 | ) | | | (65,021 | ) |
Interest income | | | 6,103 | | | | 373,098 | |
Interest income (expense), net | | | (59,345 | ) | | | 308,077 | |
Other income, net | | | - | | | | - | |
Total interest and other income (expense) | | | (59,345 | ) | | | 308,077 | |
Net loss before provision for income taxes | | | (2,897,203 | ) | | | (1,625,108 | ) |
Provision for income taxes | | | - | | | | - | |
Net loss | | $ | (2,897,203 | ) | | $ | (1,625,108 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Basic (loss) earnings per common share | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) earnings per share | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 14,161,325 | | | | 13,970,315 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) earnings per share | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 14,161,325 | | | | 13,970,315 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | | 14,161,325 | | | | 13,970,315 | |
Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of employee stock options, warrants and immediate vesting of unvested stock awards | | | - | | | | - | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | | | 14,161,325 | | | | 13,970,315 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS computations | | | 879,755 | | | | 418,297 | |
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
MMC ENERGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)
| | Common | | | Common | | | Additional | | | | | | | | | Total | |
| | Shares | | | Stock | | | Paid-in | | | Accumulated | | | Treasury | | | Stockholders' | |
| | $.001 Par Value | | | Amount | | | Capital | | | Deficit | | | Stock | | | Equity | |
Balance at December 31, 2008 | | | 14,194,347 | | | $ | 14,194 | | | $ | 62,041,693 | | | $ | (25,084,970 | ) | | $ | (29,363 | ) | | $ | 36,941,554 | |
Stock awards and options, net of cancellations | | | | | | | - | | | | 116,600 | | | | | | | | | | | | 116,600 | |
Net loss | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,897,203 | ) | | | | | | | (2,897,203 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2009 | | | 14,194,347 | | | $ | 14,194 | | | $ | 62,158,293 | | | $ | (27,982,173 | ) | | $ | (29,363 | ) | | $ | 34,160,951 | |
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
MMC ENERGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 | | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 | |
Operating Activities of Continuing Operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (2,897,203 | ) | | $ | (1,625,108 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 179,595 | | | | 294,322 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 116,600 | | | | 78,094 | |
Loss on disposal | | | 135,339 | | | | - | |
Impairment charges | | | 1,292,985 | | | | - | |
Changes in current assets & liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Decrease (increase) in receivables | | | 270,932 | | | | (91,030 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in spare parts inventories | | | (2,447 | ) | | | 3,171 | |
Decrease (increase) in prepaids and deposits | | | 19,644 | | | | (98,796 | ) |
Decrease in other assets and deferred charges | | | 48,995 | | | | 10,130 | |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | | | 546,192 | | | | (153,552 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in deferred gain | | | - | | | | (65,713 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in other accrued expenses | | | (1,536,981 | ) | | | 39,906 | |
(Decrease) in accrued compensation | | | (88,504 | ) | | | (1,400,621 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest | | | (3,706 | ) | | | 32,562 | |
Net cash used in operations | | | (1,918,559 | ) | | | (2,976,635 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Investing Activities of Continuing Operations | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | | (79,424 | ) | | | (175,184 | ) |
Equipment deposits paid | | | (1,138,447 | ) | | | (9,539,243 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of equipment | | | 1,478,333 | | | | - | |
Redemption (purchase) of securities available for sale, net | | | - | | | | 4,075,000 | |
Deferred acquisition costs | | | (234,473 | ) | | | (307,825 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) in investing activities | | | 25,989 | | | | (5,947,252 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Financing Activities of Continuing Operations | | | | | | | | |
Repayment of long-term debt | | | (111,114 | ) | | | (111,114 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (111,114 | ) | | | (111,114 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (2,003,684 | ) | | | (9,035,001 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 5,915,432 | | | | 42,582,697 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 3,911,748 | | | $ | 33,547,696 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for income taxes | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Cash paid for interest | | | 69,154 | | | | 45,495 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-cash investing and financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | $ | 116,600 | | | $ | 78,094 | |
Loan from GE Facility to GE Energy on behalf of the company | | | 6,438,989 | | | | - | |
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
MMC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2009
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND LINE OF BUSINESS
General
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. However, the results from operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2009. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated December 31, 2008 financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Organization and Line of Business
The Company is an energy management company that acquires and actively manages electricity generating and energy infrastructure related assets in the United States. The Company seeks to acquire, directly or through joint ventures, a portfolio of small to mid-size electricity generating assets, generally below 100 megawatts. In January 2006, the Company acquired two power generation facilities located in Chula Vista and Escondido, California, and in November 2006, the Company acquired a facility in Bakersfield, California (“Mid-Sun”).
Due to the recent stresses in the financial markets, coupled with depressed electricity prices, it has become increasingly difficult for the Company to continue to execute its acquisition growth strategy. Furthermore, the California Energy Commission (the “CEC”) issued its Preliminary Decision in January 2009 denying the Company’s Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project the required permit to proceed, in what the Company believes to be an unprecedented reversal of the CEC staff’s Final Staff Assessment in full support of the Company’s application. While the Company continues to evaluate its options to contest the CEC’s preliminary decision, this unexpected development substantially jeopardized the Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project. While the Company has successfully permitted its Escondido Energy Upgrade Project, we have yet to obtain a satisfactory long term revenue contract to finance the Escondido Energy Upgrade Project’s completion.
In February 2009, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Pro Energy Services, Inc. (“Pro Energy”) to sell its Mid-Sun facility’s GE LM2500 gas-fired turbine and related power generating equipment for a gross purchase price of $4 million. The sale successfully closed on April 1, 2009. Subsequent to closing, the Mid-Sun facility ceased all operations. The Company expects to realize approximately $3.1 million after costs of selling and extinguishment of associated liabilities. The Company had previously recorded impairment charges to reflect its appraised net realizable value of the Mid-Sun facility. On April 1, 2009 the remaining $3.5 million cash purchase price was received.
MMC Energy, Inc. was originally incorporated in Nevada under the name High Tide Ventures, Inc. on February 13, 2003. On May 3, 2006, High Tide Ventures changed its name to MMC Energy, Inc. On May 15, 2006, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MMC Energy, Inc. merged with and into MMC Energy North America LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Prior to this merger, MMC North America LLC acquired the power generating facilities located in Chula Vista and Escondido, California and otherwise conducted the Company’s current business as described throughout this Quarterly Report. Prior to this merger, MMC Energy, Inc. did not conduct meaningful operations. As a result of the merger, MMC Energy, Inc. thus acquired the business of MMC Energy North America LLC, including the electricity generating facilities, and the former members of MMC Energy North America LLC received shares of common stock of MMC Energy, Inc. On September 22, 2006, the Company was reincorporated as a Delaware corporation by means of a merger of the existing Nevada corporation with and into MMC Energy, Inc., a newly-formed Delaware corporation. Pursuant to the reincorporation merger, the Delaware corporation succeeded to the business of the Nevada corporation and the separate existence of the Nevada corporation ceased.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: MMC Energy North America LLC, MMC Escondido LLC, MMC Chula Vista LLC, MMC Mid-Sun LLC, MMC Chula Vista II LLC and MMC Escondido II LLC (“Escondido II”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In 2008 the Company sold its membership interest in Escondido II and that entity is no longer included in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from products and services, in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements” (“SAB 101”). SAB 101 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered/services rendered and the collectibility of those amounts. Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. The Company defers any revenue for which the product has not been delivered or services have not been rendered or is subject to refund until such time that the Company and the customer jointly determine that the product has been delivered or services have been rendered or no refund will be required.
The Company records revenues in connection with delivering electricity and ancillary services, generally being on call to provide power on ten minutes notice to the California Independent System Operator (“CAISO”), or such other first parties as it may contract with directly from time to time. In the event that the Company is compensated for services before they are rendered, the Company defers such revenue in the liability section of its balance sheet.
The Company’s electricity generating facilities are generally referred to as “peaker” plants. Peaker plants are used to balance unexpected short term surges in demand, making them critical to the reliability of the power grids they serve. The Company’s revenues to date have been earned by providing resource adequacy capacity, ancillary services and energy production in the State of California.
| · | Resource Adequacy Capacity – Regulatory capacity payments for generators of any type are based strictly on total installed capacity measured in megawatts (“MW”). In the California market, where the Company currently operates exclusively, market-based capacity revenues are earned through resource adequacy contracts, whereby the counterparty can point to the Company’s facilities' installed capacity as a source to supply its peak demand plus a mandatory safety margin as dictated by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”). The contract does not create an obligation to supply electricity to the counterparty, but does obligate the Company to bid its energy into the California Independent System Operators Corporation (“CAISO”) markets on a daily basis such that the Company’s capacity is available to the CAISO, if needed, at the Company’s bid price. The resource adequacy capacity amount cannot exceed the qualified capacity amount for the resource. Qualified capacity is certified by CAISO. For 2008 and 2009, the MMC Escondido and MMC Chula Vista facilities were certified by CAISO and the CPUC for 35.5 MW each and Mid-Sun for 21.8 MW. |
| · | Ancillary Services – Although there are several types of ancillary services, the Company primarily provides “non-spin” services which call for the facilities to deliver the awarded capacity within 10 minutes of dispatch regardless of whether already synchronized to the grid. As of September 26, 2008 the CAISO has withdrawn the Company’s certification to provide spinning reserve services which was, through 2007, the Company’s primary ancillary service. |
| · | Energy Production – The Company provides electricity to a local power grid through day-ahead bidding and real time auctions managed by the CAISO, the “merchant market” or through financially settled bilateral agreements with a utility or other direct counterparty. As the Company has no outstanding electricity purchase agreements or other contracted energy production, all of its energy production revenues are earned in the daily merchant market. |
Income Taxes
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 “Accounting For Income Taxes,” (“SFAS 109”) deferred income taxes are the result of the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Generally, deferred income taxes are classified as current or non-current in accordance with the classification of the related asset or liability. Items that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided against deferred income tax assets in circumstances where management believes the recoverability of a portion of the assets is not reasonably assured. Losses incurred will be carried forward as applicable per SFAS 109 and the Internal Revenue Code and potentially may be used to offset taxable net income generated in the future. The Company has no history of generating taxable net income and therefore has provided a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, the Company considers all time deposits and highly liquid debt instruments purchased that mature in three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Receivables
Accounts receivable are composed substantially of trade accounts receivable that arise primarily from the sale of electricity or services on account and are stated at historical cost. Management evaluates accounts receivable to estimate the amount of accounts receivable that will not be collected in the future, if any, and records a provision for that amount. The Company does not have an allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at cost based on the specific identification method. Inventories consist of spare parts to be used in general operations and maintenance.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed principally by using the straight-line method at rates based on estimated useful lives as follows:
Office equipment | | | 3 years | |
Machinery, automobiles and equipment | | | 3 – 10 years | |
Software | | | 3 years | |
Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,'' long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists for any grouping of assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows is produced and compared to its carrying value. If an asset or grouping of assets is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
The Company also evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment per SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurement.” Impairment charges for certain assets held for sale were derived using Level 2 inputs.
During the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company recorded impairment charges of $1,292,985 and $0, respectively.
Assets held for sale as of 03/31/2009 were valued at net realizable value per SFAS 144 and SFAS 157.
Interest Cost Capitalization
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 34 “Capitalization of Interest Cost” (“SFAS No. 34”) the Company capitalizes the cost of interest incurred for assets that are constructed or otherwise produced for its own use (including assets constructed or produced for the Company by others for which deposits or progress payments have been made) and assets intended for sale or lease that are constructed or otherwise produced as discrete projects. The Company does not capitalize interest for assets that are in use or ready for their intended use in the Company's operations.
At March 31, 2009, the Company capitalized approximately $329,000 of interest costs with respect to the purchase of two GE LM6000 PC Sprint® turbines with respect to the Chula Vista Upgrade project and the related GE Loan Facility agreement.
Assets Held For Sale
The Company is seeking to sell its interest in MMC Chula Vista II, LLC (“Chula Vista II”). Chula Vista II’s only asset is the contract to purchase two GE LM6000 PC Sprint® turbines from GE Packaged Power, Inc (“GE Power”). As of the date of this report these turbines have been fully paid and are carried at their full basis in property, plant and equipment. Their carrying value inclusive of all deposits made and capitalized costs is approximately $31.4 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2008 the Company had also reached an agreement to sell its GE LM2500 turbine that was in operation at its Mid-Sun facility to Pro Energy for the gross purchase price of $4 million. The Company received a deposit of $500,000 in February 2007 and the remaining proceeds of $3.5 million on April 1, 2009 when the transaction successfully closed.
The Company also has as held for sale an additional $2.2 million of assets consisting primarily of its transformers to be purchased under contract from Fortune Electric Co. Ltd (“Fortune”) and miscellaneous smaller assets. Assets held for sale are held at net realizable value and distributed as follows:
Property, plant and equipment | | $ | 36,372,669 | |
Project deposits | | | 1,974,706 | |
Deferred acquisition costs | | | 1,187,993 | |
Prepaids and short-term deposits | | | 228,410 | |
Other assets and deferred charges | | | 279,521 | |
Total assets held for sale | | $ | 40,043,299 | |
Assets held for sale as of 03/31/2009 were valued at net realizable value per SFAS 144 and SFAS 157.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with high credit quality institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit for each institution.
.
For the three month periods ending March 31, 2009 and 2008, 86% & 80%, respectively of the Company’s revenues were derived from Oxy, Inc., who contracts Resource Adequacy Capacity on the Company’s behalf and collects its receivables on a monthly basis on the Company’s behalf. The Company received the balance of its revenues from CAISO.
Seasonal Nature of Business
The Company’s business is seasonal, with a relatively high proportion of revenues and operating cash flows generated during the third quarter of the fiscal year, which include the peak summer months for energy demand, and a relatively low proportion of revenues and operating cash flows generated during the first quarter. As the Company derives most of its revenues from selling energy and ancillary services at spot market prices, as opposed to under longer term fixed-price contracts, its revenues and operating income are highly exposed to the seasonal fluctuation in commodity pricing, which generally corresponds to peak electricity demand. In addition, a portion of the Company’s resource adequacy capacity revenues are seasonal as well, with a significantly greater portion paid during the summer.
Geographical and Regulatory Risk
All of the Company’s facilities are located in Southern California, and generally provide electricity only in that state. The facilities maintain exempt wholesale generator (“EWG”) status and market based rate (“MBR”) authority as approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Accordingly, the Company’s operations are regulated by the local Air Permit Control Boards, the CAISO and other related state and local agencies, as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. These organizations establish certain rules and limitations on operations and require that the Company maintain in good standing several required licenses and permits, such as permits for air emissions. These organizations may from time to time change the rules under which the Company operates and derives its revenues. The Company believes it has all such required licenses and permits to conduct its operations and believes that it is conducting those operations in compliance with said licenses and permits.
Comprehensive Income
SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” (“SFAS 130”) establishes standards for reporting and displaying of comprehensive income, its components and accumulated balances. Comprehensive income is defined to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by, and distributions to, owners. Among other disclosures, SFAS 130 requires that all items that are required to be recognized under current accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. In the past the Company held securities-available-for-sale that could have generated other comprehensive income (losses) but traded at par while they were held. As such, the Company has not generated any comprehensive income (losses) in the periods presented nor has it since its inception.
Segment Information
The Company adopted SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” ("SFAS 131"). SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting information regarding operating segments, to the extent that multiple discrete segments exist in annual financial statements and requires selected information for those segments to be presented in interim financial reports issued to stockholders. SFAS 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in making decisions concerning how to allocate resources and assess performance. At this time, the Company only operates in one segment; the generation of electricity.
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic and diluted income or loss per common share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, under the provisions of SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share” and as amended/superseded in “Share-Based Payment”(“SFAS 123(R)”). As the Company incurred losses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 dilutive shares presented for those periods are identical to basic shares outstanding. Below is a reconciliation of basic to diluted shares outstanding for the applicable periods as well as anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculations for the relevant periods:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 | | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 | |
Basic, diluted and anti-dilutive shares | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | | 14,161,325 | | | | 13,970,315 | |
Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of employee stock options, warrants and immediate vesting of unvested stock awards | | | - | | | | - | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | | | 14,161,325 | | | | 13,970,315 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS computations | | | 879,755 | | | | 418,297 | |
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) which no longer permits the use of the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The Company used the modified prospective method allowed by SFAS 123(R), which requires compensation expense to be recorded for all stock-based compensation granted on or after January 1, 2006, as well the unvested portion of previously granted options. The Company is recording the compensation expense on a straight-line basis, generally over the explicit service period of three years. The Company made no stock-based compensation grants before January 1, 2006, and, therefore has no unrecognized stock compensation related liabilities or expense unvested or vested prior to 2006.
The following table summarizes common stock options outstanding and the related exercise prices under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
Options Outstanding | | | Options Exercisable | |
Grant Year | | Exercise Prices | | | Number Outstanding | | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | Number Exercisable | | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |
2006 | | $ | 10.00 | | | | 72,000 | | | | 7.12 | | | $ | 10.00 | | | | 64,666 | | | | 7.12 | | | $ | 10.00 | |
2007 | | $ | 6.50 | | | | 21,000 | | | | 8.08 | | | $ | 6.50 | | | | 7,000 | | | | 8.08 | | | $ | 6.50 | |
Totals | | | | | | | 93,000 | | | | 7.34 | | | $ | 9.21 | | | | 71,666 | | | | 7.22 | | | $ | 9.66 | |
Transactions during 2008 involving stock options issued to employees are summarized as follows:
| | Number of Shares | | | Weighted Average Price Per Share | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2008 | | | 93,000 | | | $ | 9.21 | |
Granted | | | - | | | | - | |
Exercised | | | - | | | | - | |
Cancelled or expired | | | - | | | | - | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2009 | | | 93,000 | | | $ | 9.21 | |
Based on the Company’s closing stock price of $0.95 at March 31, 2009, stock options currently outstanding had no aggregate intrinsic value, and there were no in-the-money options exercisable. As of March 31, 2009, such options had a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 7.22 years and weighted-average exercise price of $9.66 per share.
In accordance with SFAS 123(R), the company uses the simplified expected term midpoint method to estimate the expected life of its option grants.
There were no grants of employee stock options for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
Derivative Instruments
The Company accounts for freestanding derivative financial instruments potentially settled in its own common stock under EITF Issue No. 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company's Own Stock.” Pursuant to EITF Issue No. 00-19, the Company is required to recognize the initial fair value of the applicable contracts (consisting primarily of non-employee stock warrants and options to purchase common stock) as an asset or liability, and subsequently measure the change in the fair value (based on a Black-Scholes computation), with gains and losses included in a statement of operations. No such instruments were issued for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of the Company's cash, trade payables, accrued expenses, and notes payable approximate their estimated fair value due to the short-term nature of those financial instruments.
Fair Value Measurement
On Sept. 15, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (“SFAS 157”). The new standard applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS 157 will change current practice by defining fair value: “Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” SFAS 157 now requires certain methods to be used to measure fair value: measured as a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, based on assumptions market participants would make in pricing the asset or liability (i.e, on exit price). SFAS 157 establishes a three level/input hierarchy for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability such as unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).
The Company implemented the use of SFAS 157 in the determination of the impairment values of certain assets and liabilities with the use of Level 2 inputs.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS No. 163. In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an interpretation of SFAS No. 60” (“SFAS 163”). The FASB believes that diversity exists in practice in accounting for financial guarantee insurance contracts by insurance enterprises under FASB Statement No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises.” The Company is not an insurance enterprise and this standard will not have any impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
SFAS No. 162. In May 2008, the FASB issued, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”) which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy). The FASB believes that the GAAP hierarchy should be directed to entities because it is the entity (not its auditor) that is responsible for selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP. Accordingly, the FASB concluded that the GAAP hierarchy should reside in the accounting literature established by the FASB and issued SFAS 162 to achieve that result. SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” As of the report date, approval has not yet taken place. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have any impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period data to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported losses.
NOTE 3 – RECEIVABLES AND PREPAID ITEMS
At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 accounts receivable and prepaid items consisted of the following:
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Accounts receivable | | $ | 269,122 | | | $ | 314,169 | |
Employee loan | | | 87,080 | | | | 106,040 | |
Total | | $ | 356,202 | | | $ | 420,209 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Unbilled receivables | | $ | 23,797 | | | $ | 230,722 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 23,797 | | | $ | 230,722 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Prepaid insurance | | $ | 141,727 | | | $ | 129,983 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 81,177 | | | | 101,959 | |
Short-term deposits | | | 500 | | | | 11,106 | |
Total | | $ | 223,404 | | | $ | 243,048 | |
The Company is paid monthly in arrears on its resource adequacy capacity contracts. Commencing in November 2008, the Company is paid under its energy management agreement with Macquarie Cook Power, Inc. (“MCPI”) for revenues earned from CAISO for energy and ancillary services approximately 60 days in arrears.
NOTE 4 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Land | | $ | 375,000 | | | $ | 375,000 | |
Automobile | | | 21,806 | | | | 21,927 | |
Office equipment | | | 167,561 | | | | 148,156 | |
Transformer | | | 204,280 | | | | - | |
Machinery, equipment & other | | | 7,375,506 | | | | 8,207,849 | |
LM-6000 Turbines | | | 31,331,318 | | | | - | |
| | | 39,475,471 | | | | 8,752,932 | |
Impairment charges | | | - | | | | (914,353 | ) |
Accumulated depreciation | | | (3,102,802 | ) | | | (2,923,207 | ) |
Total | | $ | 36,372,669 | | | $ | 4,915,372 | |
Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $179,595 and $294,322, respectively.
NOTE 5 – DEFERRED COSTS
Deferred costs consist of costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and capital raises and are accounted for based upon their stage in the acquisition/financing process. Costs of acquisitions and or financings can be broadly classified in four categories: exploratory, pre-acquisition, in-process and in-service. Typically, exploratory costs are expensed as incurred. When a financing or acquisition is determined to be probable as per management’s assessment, all costs in connection with such transaction are eligible to be capitalized at the assessment date as well as throughout the actual implementation. When the acquisition is completed, related deferred costs are capitalized as a component of the asset cost basis and depreciated over the useful life of the asset.
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
Deferred Costs | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Deferred development costs - Chula Vista | | $ | 781,444 | | | $ | 2,259,396 | |
Deferred development costs - Escondido | | | 406,549 | | | | 400,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 1,187,993 | | | $ | 2,659,477 | |
Completion of the Chula Vista and Escondido Projects remain subject to securing long term revenue contracts against which they can obtain debt financing. The Company’s Escondido Energy Upgrade Project has been fully permitted. The CED issued its Preliminary Decision in January 2009 denying the Company’s Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project the required permit to proceed, in what the Company believes to be an unprecedented reversal of the CEC staff’s Final Staff Assessment in full support of the Company’s application. While the Company continues to evaluate its options to contest the CEC’s preliminary decision, this unexpected development substantially jeopardized the Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining such a contract or debt financing at terms favorable to the Company.
NOTE 6 – LONG-TERM DEPOSITS
Long-term deposits consist primarily of contractually scheduled prepayments related to two agreements entered into with Fortune Electric Co. Ltd (“Fortune”) for the purchase of two transformers for the Chula Vista and Escondido Upgrade Projects. The remainder of long-term deposits consist of other deposits for other work related to the upgrade projects as well as the security deposits for the leases for the Company’s Chula Vista facility as well for the corporate headquarters in New York City.
The Company is currently seeking to sell many of its assets, at this time, of the $1.975 million listed as long-term deposits, approximately $1.975 million are held for sale.
NOTE 7 – OTHER ASSETS & DEFERRED CHARGES
Other assets and deferred charges include $227,952 of deferred maintenance charges in connection with Planned Major Maintenance Activities (“PMMA”) for large assets, net of amortization as well as $62,455 of capitalized financing costs incurred during the closing of the Company’s loan facility with GE Capital.
In October 2008, the Company and Pacific West Energy, LLC (“PacWest”) jointly formed Kauai Energy Partners, LLC (“KEP”), a venture to trade waste oil on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The Company initially provided the total contributed capital of $112,458 which entitled the Company to 90% participation in the profits of the venture as well as the role of Managing Partner of KEP. Subsequently, in December 2008, the Company sold 50% of its position to Province Line Capital, LLC for $62,458, while still retaining the position of Managing Partner. Accordingly, the Company holds a 44% capital interest, and remains entitled to 45% profit interest. The profit sharing percentages are only applicable after operations start and only after profits exceed the Company’s contributed capital. The Company is entitled to 100% of the profits until profits exceed the Company’s contributed capital.
KEP cannot begin its operations to trade waste oil until it receives certain regulatory approvals which are still outstanding. At the date of the balance sheet KEP had no activity except for the incurrence of $12,458 of organization cost. Although KEP is eligible for consolidation due to its immateriality the Company has chosen not to consolidate this entity and reports the net investment amount of $50,000 on the “Other Assets and Deferred Charges” line of the balance sheet. In addition, the Company has guaranteed an amount of up to $250,000 to KEP’s supplier of waste oil for any purchase liabilities that KEP should fail to honor. Through the first quarter of 2009 KEP has remained inactive.
Costs of PMMA are accounted for in accordance with the deferral method as described in FASB Staff Position’s “Audit Guide for Airlines” (“FSP-AIR”). As such PMMA costs are capitalized and then recognized over the earlier of (i) the remaining life of the asset or (ii) until the next PMMA for that equipment. For both three months periods ending March 31, 2009 and 2008, the company amortized $32,562 of deferred maintenance charges..
The capitalized financing costs are amortized and increase the basis of the related capital assets, (i.e. the two GE LM6000 PC Sprint natural gas-fired turbines) whose purchase were partially financed by the GE loan facility.
NOTE 8 – LONG-TERM DEBT
On January 31, 2006, MMC North America entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with TD Banknorth (the “Bank”), for a $3.5 million senior debt facility, including a $3.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) and a $500,000 revolving loan (the “Revolver,” together with the Term Loan, the “Loans”). The Term Loan provides for interest payments only for the first nine months and 81 monthly principal payments in the amount of $37,038 each thereafter, with a final maturity date of May 3, 2013. The Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate equal to 7.58%. Approximately $2.1 million of the Term Loan proceeds were funded into an escrow account under control of the Bank and restricted in use to valid repair and re-commissioning costs in accordance with a re-commissioning plan agreed to between MMC North America and the Bank. The remaining proceeds, net of related transaction costs, were used for general working capital purposes. All escrowed funds for repair and re-commissioning were expended for the intended use.
Advances against the Revolver are payable on demand and bear interest at the Prime Rate plus 1.00%. Beginning in 2007, amounts outstanding under the Revolver must be repaid in full and a zero balance maintained for at least 30 consecutive days at any time during the year. MMC North America has not made any borrowings under the Revolver.
The Loan Agreement further subjects MMC North America to certain financial and other covenants, including maintaining a minimum Net Worth and minimum Debt Service Coverage ratio. The financial covenants are measured annually. In 2008, MMC North America failed to maintain its required minimum net worth or debt service coverage ratio, due solely to the effect of the CAISO settlement (see “Legal Proceedings”) of which MMC North America was allocated 2/3rds, or $666,000. The Bank has agreed to waive the covenant requirements for 2008, and accordingly MMC North America was not in default. In 2007, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants. The loans continue to be collateralized by substantially all assets of MMC North America.
MMC North America has arranged for the issuance by the Bank of an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $100,000 (the “Letter of Credit”) to a counterparty under an energy services agreement entered into in November 2008 (the “ESA”). The counterparty may draw upon the Letter of Credit to recover liquidated damages suffered by the counterparty in connection with any energy sales it may make on behalf of MMC North America and MMC Mid-Sun in the event MMC North America or MMC Mid-Sun fails to meet its obligations, or for any other unsatisfied obligations under the ESA. The Letter of Credit expires on December 31, 2009. Availability under the Revolver is reduced from $500,000 to $400,000 while the Letter of Credit remains outstanding.
On June 30, 2008 the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Chula Vista II and Escondido II agreed to a $25.5 million loan facility with GE Energy Financial Services (“GE Finance”) in connection with the purchase of three GE LM6000 PC Sprint® natural gas-fired turbines from GE Energy. This facility has provided the additional funding needed to complete the purchase of the turbines. The loan agreement originally allowed the Company’s subsidiaries to borrow the $25.5 million, provided that it first contribute equity capital to each subsidiary sufficient to cover the balance of the turbines' purchase price, among other customary conditions. The loans bore interest at the prime rate plus 275 basis points and are fully guaranteed by the Company. GE Finance has obtained the right of first refusal to provide the full project debt financing to each of the projects upon receipt of final permitting. The loans are due in full 150 days after the final turbine is ready to ship, and carry prepayment penalties if prepaid in the first 12 months or in the event the projects proceed with debt other than from GE Finance.
On December 10, 2008 the Company completed the sale of its membership interest in Escondido II a wholly-owned subsidiary whose only asset was an agreement to acquire a General Electric LM6000 PC Sprint® turbine for $15.3 million to an affiliate of Wellhead Electric Company, Inc. In connection with the sale, the Company repaid its then entire outstanding loan balance of $8.574 million. Also, in connection with the sale of the Company’s interest in MMC Escondido II, the interest rate on borrowings was increased by 150 basis points and the loan agreement amount was reduced to $10.275 million which is sufficient to cover the balance of the remaining payments due on the turbines purchased in connection with the Chula Vista upgrade project. As of the three month period ended March 31, 2009 the Company had approximately $6.4 million of outstanding debt related to the GE facility and has taken title to the turbines.
As of March 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $8.3 million of outstanding debt consisting of $6.4 million of debt related to the GE facility with the remainder consisting of its debt to the Bank.
NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
In February 2007, the Company announced that it had learned that one hundred thousand shares of its common stock issued as part of a 1.2 million share private placement transaction it consummated in May 2006 were purchased by an entity controlled by Louis Zehil, who at the time of the purchase was a partner of the Company’s external legal counsel for the private placement transaction, McGuireWoods LLP. The Company also announced that it believes that Mr. Zehil improperly caused the Company’s former transfer agent not to place a required restrictive legend on the certificate for these one hundred thousand shares and that Mr. Zehil then caused the entity he controlled to resell these shares. The Company reported Mr. Zehil’s conduct to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, subsequently, the SEC recently sued Mr. Zehil in connection with this matter further alleging that Mr. Zehil engaged in a similar fraudulent scheme with respect to six additional public companies represented at the relevant time by McGuireWoods LLP.
Persons who purchased shares directly from Mr. Zehil when he resold his shares may have a rescission right versus Mr. Zehil, and could make the claim that this rescission right somehow extends to the Company as well. One or more of the Company’s investors from the Company’s May 2006 private placement of 1.2 million shares could also claim a rescission right. It is also possible that one or more of the Company’s stockholders could claim that they somehow suffered a loss as a result of Mr. Zehil’s conduct and attempt to hold the Company responsible for their losses. The Company is unable to predict the extent of its ultimate liability with respect to any and all future securities matters. If any such claims are successfully made against the Company and it is not adequately indemnified for those claims from available sources of indemnification, then such claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and operating results. The Company also may incur significant costs resulting from its investigation of this matter, any litigation it may initiate as a result and the Company’s cooperation with governmental authorities. The Company may not be adequately indemnified for such costs from available sources of indemnification.
MMC North America has arranged for the issuance by the Bank of an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $100,000 (the “Letter of Credit”) to a counterparty under an energy services agreement entered into in November 2008 (the “ESA”). The counterparty may draw upon the Letter of Credit to recover liquidated damages suffered by the counterparty in connection with any energy sales it may make on behalf of MMC North America and MMC Mid-Sun in the event MMC North America or MMC Mid-Sun fails to meet its obligations, or for any other unsatisfied obligations under the ESA. The Letter of Credit expires on December 31, 2009. Availability under the Revolver is reduced from $500,000 to $400,000 while the Letter of Credit remains outstanding.
As the Company’s facilities are located in California, they are exposed to the risk of potential damage from a catastrophic event such as an earthquake. In addition, the Chula Vista facility lies within a designated flood plane and is therefore potentially at risk if subject to a 100 year flood event. While the Company generally insures its facilities at replacement cost, the Company’s insurance policy imposes a $1 million limit on claims resulting from an earthquake or flood. Supplemental coverage for these risks is cost prohibitive and therefore the Company has foregone purchasing such coverage. Accordingly, should any of the Company’s facilities be damaged by such an event, the insurance proceeds to the Company may not be sufficient to cover the costs required to restore such facilities to operating condition. Furthermore, should such a catastrophic event result in the permanent loss of any of its three facilities, the Company believes the insurance proceeds would not be sufficient to recover the loss of future cash flows, or expected market value, of the facility.
As discussed in Note 7, the Company has guaranteed an amount of up to $250,000 to KEP’s supplier of waste oil for any purchase liabilities that KEP should fail to honor. As of the report date these approvals are still pending and the guaranty is not in effect.
The Company’s primary office space is currently leased through December 31, 2010.
The Company has consulting agreements with outside contractors to provide various services. The Agreements are generally for a term of 12 months from inception and renewable automatically from year to year unless either the Company or the Consultant terminates such engagement by written notice.
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary has any involvement in any legal proceeding as of the report date.
NOTE 10 – EQUITY COMPENSATION
Under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), 500,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance as incentive awards to executive officers, key employees and directors and outside consultants. As of March 31, 2009, 93,000 shares have been granted to employees, net of cancellations, in the form of stock option grants, with a weighted average exercise price of $9.21 per share. These stock option awards were issued consistent with the market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of issuance. As of March 31, 2009 the Company had also issued 295,836 shares of restricted stock to employees and directors. As of March 31, 2009, 111,164 shares remain available for issue under the Plan.
For the three month period ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company issued -0- and 277,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively.
NOTE 11 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
As of March 31, 2009, the Company had 300,000,000 shares authorized under its Certificate of Incorporation and had issued 14,194,347 and outstanding 14,161,325 shares of Common Stock. As of such date, the Company also had 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized under its Certificate of Incorporation, none of which were issued or outstanding.
NOTE 12 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company had no related party transactions for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 1, 2009, the Company closed on its sale of the LM2500 gas fired turbine at its Mid-Sun facility. The Company received the remaining purchase price of $3.5 million and shut down its operations at the Mid-Sun Facility
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS AND OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our public filings, including this report.
Information contained in this filing contains “forward-looking statements” which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. We cannot assure you that the future results covered by these forward-looking statements will be achieved. Some of the matters described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other public filings constitute cautionary statements which identify factors regarding these forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from future results indicated in these forward-looking statements. Other factors could also cause actual results to vary materially from future results indicated in such forward-looking statements.
Overview and Management’s Plan of Operation
We are an energy management company that actively manages electricity generating and energy infrastructure related assets in the United States. Our historical mission was to acquire, directly or through joint ventures, a portfolio of small to mid-size electricity generating assets, generally below 100 megawatts, or “MW.” To date, we have acquired three electricity generating assets in California, totaling 110 MW of capacity. We are in the process of reviewing our strategic alternatives in an effort to maximize shareholder value, which may include liquidating our assets in lieu of continuing to seek additional acquisitions of small to medium-sized power generating facilities. Our natural gas fueled electricity generating facilities are commonly referred to as “peaker” plants. Our plants are used to balance unexpected short term surges in demand, making them critical to the reliability, or “insurance,” of the power grids they serve. Our assets generate revenue from providing capacity and ancillary reliability services to the transmission grid that distributes electricity to industrial and retail electricity providers. During peak electricity usage times, such as the summer, we also sell our electricity in the merchant market.
We are managed by a team of professionals with significant energy sector experience and knowledge. Our executive officers and Board of Directors have extensive experience with industry leaders in the energy and finance sectors, especially asset management, commodity pricing and risk management as well as private equity, structured finance and project finance transaction experience.
We launched our acquisition strategy in January 2006 with the acquisition of two 44 MW natural gas fired electricity generating facilities in San Diego county, one in Chula Vista and the other in Escondido, California. This acquisition provided us entry to the California wholesale electricity market. We fully re-commissioned the facilities and began earning revenues in June 2006. We acquired these formerly idle facilities for what we believe to be a discounted value to market. In November 2006, we acquired MMC Mid Sun, a 22 MW facility near Bakersfield, California, which we also successfully re-commissioned and began operating in January 2007.
Due to the recent stresses in the financial markets, coupled with depressed electricity prices, it has become increasingly difficult for us to continue to execute our acquisition growth strategy. Furthermore, the California Energy Commission, or the CEC, issued its Preliminary Decision in January 2009 denying our Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project the required permit to proceed, in what we believe to be an unprecedented reversal of the CEC staff’s Final Staff Assessment in full support of our application. While we continue to evaluate our options to contest the CEC’s Preliminary Decision, this unexpected development substantially jeopardized the Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project. While we have successfully permitted our Escondido Energy Upgrade Project, we have yet to obtain a satisfactory long term revenue contract to finance the Escondido Energy Upgrade Project’s completion.
These and other events have led us to more aggressively evaluate our strategic alternatives, including pursuing the sale of our assets, as noted above. Our asset sales to date include the sale of: (1) our subsidiary MMC Escondido II, LLC, whose only asset was one of three GE LM6000 PC Sprint® turbines we had on order, (2) the GE LM2500 turbine and related equipment powering our MMC Mid-Sun facility, which closed on April 1, 2009, and (3) our two natural gas compressors on order. These asset sales have resulted in approximately $9.7 million of cash to us after repayment of debt of $8.6 million and relieved us of the obligation to pay an additional $2.1 million under relevant purchase agreements. Of the $9.7 million in proceeds, $6.2 million were received as of the balance sheet date. The remainder was received upon closing of the LM2500 sale on April 1, 2009.
If we are not successful in selling our remaining assets and/or the company in its entirety, we intend to reduce general and administrative expenses as much as possible to minimize the extent of further cash utilized for operations. This effort is in process and included reduction of our headcount by 43% effective March 31, 2009. We expect general administrative costs to continue to trend downward during 2009, excluding related severance costs.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and related disclosure. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances; however, our operating experience is limited. Future events may differ markedly from our current expectations and assumptions. While there are a number of significant accounting policies affecting our consolidated financial statements, we believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most complex, difficult and subjective estimates and judgments:
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when all of the following circumstances are satisfied: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) price is fixed or determinable, (3) collectibility is reasonably assured, and (4) delivery has occurred. Revenues are recognized upon delivery of energy or services. The revenues we collect for ancillary services and energy delivery fluctuate based on market prices established by CAISO on a daily, hourly and real-time basis.
We recognize energy production revenue when energy has been substantially transmitted to the customer. We recognize revenue when electricity is delivered to a customer pursuant to contractual commitments that specify volume, price and delivery requirements. Some sales of energy are based on economic dispatch, or "as-ordered," by the California Independent System Operator, or CAISO, based on member participation agreements, but without an underlying contractual commitment. Revenues for sales of energy based on ISO dispatches are recorded on the basis of MW-hours delivered, at the applicable wholesale market prices. In addition to bilateral contracts that we may enter into from time to time, we generally offer our energy to the CAISO daily at our variable cost to produce plus a desired minimum profit margin. Our facilities can be dispatched only if the market clearing price exceeds our bid price. We may also receive "out of merit" dispatches in times when the market price is less than our bid price, but our electricity is needed locally due to local transmission constraints, in which case we will be paid our bid price for energy provided.
We recognize these revenues at the time of dispatch by the ISO. Capacity (resource adequacy) contract revenues are recognized based on the facility's capacity as certified by the California Public Utility Commission, or CPUC, and by CAISO. As described under "Results of Operations" below, we also recognize revenues from the provision of ancillary services and under capacity contracts. Although there are several types of ancillary services, to date we primarily provide "spin" and "non spin" services, which call for the facilities to be delivering the awarded capacity within 10 minutes of dispatch whether already connected to the grid (spin) or not (non-spin). As noted elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we no longer provide spinning reserve revenues and do not expect to generate such spin revenues going forward with our existing facilities.
Our electricity generating facilities are generally referred to as “peaker” plants. Peaker plants are used to balance unexpected short term surges in electricity demand, making them critical to the reliability, or “insurance,” of the transmission grids they serve. Our revenues to date have been earned by providing resource adequacy capacity, ancillary services and energy production, as described more fully below under “Results of Operations.”
Interest Cost Capitalization
In accordance with SFAS No. 34 “Capitalization of Interest Cost” we capitalize the cost of interest incurred for assets that are constructed or otherwise produced for our entity's own use (including assets constructed or produced for us by others for which deposits or progress payments have been made) and assets intended for sale or lease that are constructed or otherwise produced as discrete projects. We do not capitalize interest for assets that are in use or are ready for their intended use in our operations.
As of March 31, 2009, we have capitalized approximately $329,000 of interest costs with respect to the purchase of two GE LM6000 PC Sprint® turbines with respect to the Chula Vista Upgrade project and the related GE Loan Facility agreement.
Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,'' long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists for any grouping of assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows is produced and compared to its carrying value. If an asset or grouping of assets is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
We also evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment per SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurement.” Impairment charges for certain assets held for sale were derived using Level 2 inputs.
During the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 we recorded impairment charges of $1,292,985 and $-0-, respectively.
.Assets Held For Sale
We are seeking to sell our interest in MMC Chula Vista II, LLC (“Chula Vista II”). Chula Vista II’s only assets are two GE LM6000 PC Sprint® turbines from GE Packaged Power, Inc (“GE Power”). As of the date of this report these turbines have been fully paid and are carried at their full basis on property, plant and equipment. Their carrying value, inclusive of all deposit payments made and capitalized interest cost is approximately $31.4 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2008 we had also reached an agreement to sell our GE LM2500 turbine that was in operation at our Mid-Sun facility to Pro Energy for the gross purchase price of $4 million. We received a deposit of $500,000 in February 2009 and the remaining proceeds of $3.5 million on April 1, 2009 when the transaction successfully closed.
We also have as held for sale an additional $2.2 million of assets consisting primarily of our transformers to be purchased under contract from Fortune Electric Co. Ltd (“Fortune”) and miscellaneous smaller assets. Assets held for sale are held at net realizable value and distributed as follows:
Property, plant and equipment | | $ | 36,372,669 | |
Project deposits | | | 1,974,706 | |
Deferred acquisition costs | | | 1,187,993 | |
Prepaids and short-term deposits | | | 228,410 | |
Other assets and deferred charges | | | 279,521 | |
Total assets held for sale | | $ | 40,043,299 | |
Assets held for sale as of 03/31/2009 were valued at net realizable value per SFAS 144 and SFAS 157.
Results of Operations
Revenues
Our revenues consist of energy production, ancillary services, and resource adequacy capacity revenues.
| · | Resource Adequacy Capacity – Regulatory capacity payments for generators of any type are based strictly on total installed capacity measured in MW. In the California market where we currently operate exclusively, market-based capacity revenues are earned through resource adequacy contracts, whereby the counterparty can point to our facilities' installed capacity as a source to supply its peak demand plus a mandatory safety margin as dictated by the CPUC. The contract does not create an obligation to supply electricity to the counterparty, but does obligate us to bid its energy into the CAISO markets on a daily basis such that our capacity is available to the CAISO, if needed, at our price. The resource adequacy capacity amount cannot exceed the qualified capacity amount for the resource. Qualified capacity is certified by CAISO. For 2007, the MMC Escondido and MMC Chula Vista facilities were certified by CAISO and the CPUC for 35.5 MW each and MMC Mid-Sun for 22 MW, and for 2008, 35.5 MW each respectively and MMC’s Mid-Sun facility for 21.8 MW. |
| · | Ancillary Services – Although there are several types of ancillary services, we primarily provide “non-spin” services which call for the facilities to deliver the awarded capacity within 10 minutes of dispatch regardless of whether already synchronized to the grid. As described in greater detail in the “Legal Proceedings” section, as of September 26, 2008 the CAISO has withdrawn our certification to provide spinning reserve services which was our primary ancillary service revenue generator through 2007. See Part 1, Item 3 – “Legal Proceedings.” |
| · | Energy Production – We provide electricity to a local power grid through day ahead and real time auctions managed by the CAISO, the “merchant market” or through financially settled bilateral agreements with a utility or other direct counterparty. As we have no outstanding electricity purchase agreements or other contracted energy production, all of our energy production revenues are earned in the daily merchant market. |
Revenues for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $607,631 and $730,385, respectively, and were distributed as follows:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
Operating revenues: | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Resource adequacy capacity | | $ | 519,620 | | | $ | 581,750 | |
Ancillary services | | | 25,744 | | | | 5,138 | |
Energy production | | | 62,267 | | | | 143,497 | |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 607,631 | | | $ | 730,385 | |
Revenues for three month period ended March 31, 2009 decreased 17% to $607,631 from the same period in 2008. The decrease was driven by less favorable resource adequacy contract pricing for the Mid-Sun facility as well as a negative pricing adjustment for December 2008’s results with respect to energy production. This negative adjustment was recorded in the first quarter of 2009.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $116,199 and $121,538 respectively, yielding gross profits of $491,432 and $608,847 and gross margins of approximately 81% and 83%, respectively.
Our gross margin has been relatively high due to high margin resource adequacy capacity constituting the largest portion of our revenues. In addition, gross margins for energy production revenue remain high, notwithstanding the negative adjustment from December 2008 as mentioned above, as we generally produce energy only during peak demand times which result in the highest prices for energy.
Costs of sales and gross margins were distributed as follows:
Three months Ended March 31, | | | | | | |
Costs of sales: | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Costs of resource adequacy capacity | | $ | 37,672 | | | $ | 42,177 | |
Costs of ancillary services | | | 1,079 | | | | 4,316 | |
Costs of energy production | | | 77,448 | | | | 75,045 | |
Total costs of sales | | $ | 116,199 | | | $ | 121,538 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Three months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | | |
Gross margin: | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Gross margin of resource adequacy capacity | | | 92.8 | % | | | 92.7 | % |
Gross margin of ancillary services | | | 95.8 | % | | | 16.0 | % |
Gross margin of energy production | | | -24.4 | % | | | 47.7 | % |
Total costs of sales | | | 80.9 | % | | | 83.4 | % |
Costs of sales include these major expenses:
| · | Resource Adequacy Capacity – Includes primarily commissions paid to electricity marketers. We expect this revenue stream to remain at a very high margin. |
| · | Ancillary Services — Includes primarily grid management charges, or costs incurred by the ISO directly related to the installation and maintenance of the electrical power grid necessary to permit the provision of energy and ancillary services. These costs are passed through to generators as mandated by regulatory and governing bodies. Costs also include variable incentive fees paid to our energy manager for exceeding revenue targets. This is typically a high margin service. |
| · | Energy Production – Includes variable costs for fuel, primarily natural gas, used in the production of energy as well as pipeline fees for fuel transportation, grid management charges, variable incentive fees, and other direct charges associated with the provision of energy production. We expect our gross margin to decrease significantly as a percentage of our revenues as we upgrade existing facilities and acquire additional facilities, which are expected to increase our gross energy production. |
Operations and Maintenance
Operations and maintenance expenses consist of the direct overhead expenses for operating and maintaining our electricity generating facilities. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, operations and maintenance expenses were $647,201 and $730,123, respectively. These expenses consisted primarily of contracted labor, interconnection costs, repairs and maintenance, environmental consulting, environmental compliance and other semi-variable costs. The decrease in expenses was driven primarily by a decrease in unplanned repairs and lower labor costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
For the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, general and administrative expenses were $1,074,170 and $1,517,587, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were primarily driven by compensation, severance costs, professional fees, relocation expense and investor relations expenses.
We expect general and administrative expenses will decrease in absolute terms as we continue to implement our current operational strategy (see “Overview and Management’s Plan of Operation” for a complete discussion).
Loss on disposal and Impairment charges
The loss on disposal of approximately $135,000 was a loss on disposal of our membership interest in Escondido II and the sale of the LM2500 turbine located at our Mid-Sun facility. The losses were primarily composed of professional fees related to the consummation of these transactions.
From time to time we use estimates to adjust, if necessary, the assets and liabilities of our continuing operations to their estimated fair value, less costs to sell. These estimates include assumptions relating to the proceeds anticipated as a result of any future asset sales. The adjustments to fair market value of these assets/liabilities provide the basis for the gain or loss when sold. In connection with the unfavorable preliminary CEC decision regarding our Chula Vista Upgrade Project, the indefinite timing of obtaining a satisfactory long-term revenue contract to finance our Escondido Upgrade Project, and holding for sale the related equipment ordered for both projects, we have recorded approximately $1.3 million in impairments to write-down capitalized professional fees, permitting costs, engineering fees and equipment deposits related to the Upgrade Projects. The impairment charges recorded are summarized below and were calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 157 using Level 2 inputs based on contractual agreements and letters of interest:
Impairment charges: | | | |
Development and permitting | | $ | 1,477,952 | |
Equipment depostis and cancellation charges | | | (227,190 | ) |
Other | | | 42,223 | |
Total | | $ | 1,292,985 | |
Interest and Other Expenses
Net interest expense for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 of $59,345 and net interest income of $308,077 for three month periods ended March 31, 2008 reflect primarily senior debt interest expense and interest income earned on our cash balances, which were substantially larger during the first quarter of 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2009, we had $3.9 million in cash and equivalents. The majority of cash used was cash used during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 for operations of approximately $1.9 million. This was partially offset by receipt of approximately $1.5 million in net proceeds related to the sale of the KobelCo compressors and a deposit related to the sale of the LM2500 turbine at Mid-Sun that closed successfully on April 1, 2009. We received an additional $3.5 million in cash on April 1, 2009 related to the Mid-Sun turbine sale that will be reflected on our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2009, less an estimated $900,000 of transaction and wind-up closing costs. In addition, we drew $6.4 million from our loan facility with GE described below to fund the final installments of our LM6000 turbines which are now paid in full.
Our loan facility with GE Finance expires in August 2009. If we are not successful in our efforts to liquidate our two remaining turbines and/or other assets, we may need additional funding during the next twelve months since our existing cash resources will not be sufficient to cover anticipated losses from operations as well as the repayment of the GE loans. We expect to raise cash from the sale of turbines and other potential asset sales. If we fail to sell assets on terms acceptable to us, it would have a material adverse effect on our current business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. If we issue additional equity and/or debt securities to meet our future capital requirements, the terms of any future equity financings may be dilutive to our stockholders and the terms of any debt financings may contain restrictive covenants that may also negatively affect our stockholders. Our ability to consummate future financings will depend on the status of our business prospects as well as conditions then prevailing in the capital markets. The downturn has also affected market values of certain of our assets. We believe that, after impairment charges recorded, these assets are held at fair value, but there can be no assurances that we would realize these values if sold.
The United States stock and credit markets have recently experienced unprecedented price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions, which have caused market prices of many stocks to fluctuate substantially and the spreads on prospective debt financings to widen considerably. These circumstances have materially impacted liquidity in the financial markets, making terms for certain financings less attractive, and in some cases have resulted in the lack of availability of financing. Continued uncertainty in the stock and credit markets may negatively impact our ability to access additional financing for development of our properties and other purposes at reasonable terms, which may negatively affect our business. A prolonged downturn in the financial markets may cause us to seek alternative sources of potentially less attractive financing and there can be no assurance that financing will be available on any terms, and either such event would require us to adjust our business plan accordingly. The disruptions in the financial markets have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on the market value of our common stock and other adverse effects on us and our business.
On January 31, 2006, MMC North America, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with TD Banknorth providing for a $3.5 million senior debt facility including a $3.0 million term loan and a $500,000 revolving loan. The term loan provides for interest-only payments during the first nine months, and 81 equal monthly principal payments in the amount of $37,038 thereafter, with a final maturity date of May 3, 2013. The term loan bears interest at a fixed rate equal to 7.58%.
Advances against the revolver are payable on demand and bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.00%. Beginning in 2007, amounts outstanding under the revolver must be repaid in full and a zero balance maintained for at least 30 consecutive days at any time during the year. We have not borrowed under the revolver.
As part of such loan facility, MMC North America arranged for the issuance by the bank of an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $100,000 to a counterparty under an energy services agreement entered into in November 2008. The counterparty may draw upon the letter of credit to recover liquidated damages suffered by the counterparty in connection with any energy sales it may make on behalf of MMC North America and MMC Mid-Sun in the event MMC North America or MMC Mid-Sun fails to meet its obligations, or for any other unsatisfied obligations under the energy services agreement. The letter of credit expires on December 31, 2009. Availability under the revolver is reduced from $500,000 to $400,000 while the letter of credit remains outstanding.
The Loan and Security Agreement further subjects MMC North America to certain financial and other covenants, including maintaining minimum net worth and minimum debt service coverage ratio. The financial covenants are measured annually. In 2008, MMC North America failed to maintain its required minimum net worth or debt service coverage ratio, due solely to the effect of the CAISO settlement (see “Legal Proceedings”) of which MMC North America was allocated 2/3, or $666,000. The Bank has agreed to waive the covenant requirements for 2008, and accordingly MMC North America is not in default under the loan The loans continue to be collateralized by substantially all assets of MMC North America.
On January 29, 2008 we entered into an agreement with GE Packaged Power, Inc., or GE Power, for the purchase of two LM6000 PC Sprint® turbines to be used in our Chula Vista Upgrade Project for approximately $31 million. Through the date of this quarterly report we have made all scheduled payments and have received title to the turbines.
On May 15, 2008 we entered into an agreement with GE Power for the purchase of one LM6000 PC Sprint® turbine to be used in our Escondido Upgrade Project for approximately $15.3 million. Through the date of this quarterly report, we had made payments of approximately $13.8 million. These payments were classified as long-term deposits on our consolidated balance sheet. On December 10, 2008 we sold our membership interest in Escondido II whose primary asset was a contract to purchase on GE LM6000 PC Sprint® turbine from GE Packaged Power, Inc. We sold the membership interest at the cost of the contract but did incur a loss on disposal as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 31, 2009, under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Loss on disposal and Impairment charges.”
On June 30, 2008 our wholly owned subsidiaries, Chula Vista II and Escondido II entered into a $25.5 million loan facility with GE Finance in connection with the purchase of the three turbines described above. This facility was intended to provide the additional funding needed to complete the purchase of the turbines. On December 10, 2008, we completed the sale of our membership interest in Escondido II a wholly-owned subsidiary, whose only asset was an agreement to acquire one of the turbines described above for $15.3 million to an affiliate of Wellhead Electric Company, Inc. We used a portion of the proceeds received in the sale to repay our outstanding borrowings of $8.57 million to GE Finance, of which $3.5 million related to the Escondido turbine and $5.0 million related to the two Chula Vista turbines that remain on order, as well as paying all accrued interest on such borrowings, applicable prepayment penalties, and the remaining $1.5 million installment payment on the Escondido turbine.
The loan agreement with GE Finance originally allowed our subsidiaries to borrow the $25.5 million, provided that we first contribute equity capital to each subsidiary sufficient to cover the balance of the turbines' purchase price, among other customary conditions. As of August 15, 2008, we had made the required equity contributions for turbines to be purchased for both Escondido II Chula Vista II. The loans bear interest at the prime rate plus 275 basis points and are fully guaranteed by us. GE Finance has obtained the right of first refusal to provide the full project debt financing to each of the projects upon receipt of final permitting. The loans are due in full 150 days after the final turbine is ready to ship, and carry prepayment penalties if prepaid in the first 12 months or in the event the projects proceed with debt other than from GE Finance. In connection with the sale of our interest in Escondido II the loan agreement was modified with all prepayment penalty provisions removed and the loan amount reduced to $10.275 million which is sufficient to cover the balance of the turbines’ purchase price. The reduced facility amount is the only substantial change in the loan agreement. As of March 31, 2009 we had approximately $6.4 million due to GE Finance under the loan facility.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures, nor do we participate in non-exchange traded contracts requiring fair value accounting treatment.
Seasonality and Inflation
Our business is seasonal, with a relatively high proportion of revenues and operating cash flows generated during the third quarter of the fiscal year, which includes the peak summer months for energy demand. As we derive most of our revenues from selling energy and ancillary services at then-current spot market prices, as opposed to under longer term fixed-price contracts, our revenues and operating income are highly exposed to the seasonal fluctuations in natural gas and electricity, which corresponds to peak summer demand. The effect of inflation on our revenue and operating results was not significant.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for recent accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable
ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as of March 31, 2009, we conducted an evaluation of effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On March 13, 2008, we filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (''FERC'') seeking an order directing the California Independent System Operator Corporation ("CAISO") to allow us to participate in the spinning reserve market. The CAISO filed an answer on April 14, 2008 disputing our position. On April 29, 2008 we reiterated our position in a response to the answer filed by CAISO. On June 6, 2008, the FERC issued an order rejecting our arguments that our facilities comply with the CAISO's tariff to provide spinning reserve services, and that we be allowed to resume bidding into this market. The FERC determined that beginning on September 18, 2006, we were not in compliance with the existing CAISO spinning reserve services tariff, which caused the CAISO to assert the right to recover spinning reserve revenues paid to us after September 16, 2006. The FERC did, however, direct the CAISO to reimburse us for disputed charges related to spinning reserve revenues earned prior to and including September 18, 2006, and directed that a settlement judge be appointed to conduct settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve disputes as to any further reimbursements for contested charges subsequent to September 18, 2006. On July 7, 2008, we filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s ruling. Also on July 7, the CAISO filed a request for rehearing with respect to the recovery of the pre-September 18, 2006 disputed charges awarded to us.
On September 22, 2008, we and the CAISO reached a settlement of this dispute. We agreed to pay the CAISO $1 million to settle all outstanding disputed items and we recorded this proposed settlement as a $1 million reduction of ancillary services revenue in our Statement of Operations at September 30, 2008. On October 14, 2008, we and the CAISO jointly filed an Offer of Settlement and Request for Expedited Action with the FERC requesting that the FERC expeditiously review and approve the Settlement Agreement without modification. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, we are required to make four equal installment payments of $250,000 to the CAISO with the first payment to be made conditioned upon receipt of FERC approval of the Settlement Agreement, with the remaining payments due on December 31, 2008, March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009. As of September 26, 2008 the CAISO withdrew our certification to provide spinning reserve services. On January 15, 2009 the FERC approved the settlement agreement. Pursuant to that agreement we made a payment of $500,000 on January 16, another payment of $250,000 on March 31, 2009 and a scheduled final payment of $250,000 on June 30, 2009.
Upon the FERC’s approval of the Settlement Agreement, all pending requests for rehearing of the FERC's June 6 order were deemed withdrawn and the FERC proceedings were terminated.
From time to time we may become a party to routine litigation or other legal proceedings that are incidental and part of the ordinary course of our business. Management and legal counsel periodically review the probable outcome of such proceedings, the costs and expenses reasonably expected to be incurred, the availability and extent of insurance coverage, and established reserves.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
None.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits.
| 10.29 | Equipment Purchase Agreement, dated February 6, 2009, by and between MMC Mid-Sun LLC and Energy Parts Solutions LLC |
| | |
| 31.1 | Certification pursuant to Rules 13a – 14(a) and 15d – 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
| | |
| 31.2 | Certification pursuant Rules 13a – 14(a) and 15d – 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
| | |
| 32.1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350 |
| | |
| 32.2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350 |
| | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| MMC ENERGY, INC. |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Michael J. Hamilton |
| Michael J. Hamilton |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| By: | /s/ Denis Gagnon |
| Denis Gagnon |
| Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer |
| |
DATE: May 15, 2009 | |