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Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the
Exchange Act:
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
NASDAQ Capital Market
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Check whether the issuer is not required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act. o
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during
the past 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 þ No o
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response
to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B
contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to
the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this
Form 10-KSB
or any amendment to this
Form 10-KSB. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company
(as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange
Act). Yes o No þ
As of March 24, 2008, the aggregate market value of the
shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant
(based on the last sale price for the common stock on The NASDAQ
Capital Market on such date) was $5,204,862. For purposes of
this computation, all officers, directors and 5% beneficial
owners of the Registrant’s common stock are deemed to be
affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed to be an
admission or representation that such officers, directors or 5%
beneficial owners are, in fact, affiliates of the Registrant.
As of March 24, 2008, there were outstanding
6,207,812 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par
value $0.001, which is the only class of common stock of the
Registrant registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities
Act of 1933.
This report contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Words such as “anticipate,”“believe,”“estimate,”“expect,”“intend,”“plan” and similar expressions
identify such forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this report include, but
are not limited to:
•
our expectation that the Snowflake plant will generate
recurring annual revenues of approximately $16.0 million
•
our belief that we will generate positive cash flow from the
operation of the Snowflake plant, in the range of
$2.0 million to $3.0 million during the first full
year of operation
•
our belief that our total revenues in 2008 will range between
$10.0 million and $12.0 million, including
$2.0 million to $3.0 million of revenues from our wood
products operations, driven primarily by our wood shavings
business
•
our belief that the Snowflake plant provides a solid
foundation to pursue a broader growth strategy and expansion
into the renewable energy marketplaces
•
our estimate that the total cost to refurbish and
re-commission the idle biomass power plant in Susanville
California will be less than $800 per kilowatt
•
our belief that costs related to developing new capacity in
the non-renewable power industry may approximate the current
cost of building and operating wind and biomass power plants
today
•
our belief that the North American biomass industry is ripe
for a strategic
roll-up
•
our belief that we will be able to apply the resources,
knowledge, experience and credibility gained through our current
business activities to successfully develop and profitably
operate additional renewable energy plants
•
the long-term commercial prospects for our Company
•
our negotiations with current and potential sellers of
biomass power plants
•
our estimate that the idle biomass plant in Susanville,
California could be fully operational by year-end 2008, subject
to the prospects and timing associated with securing financing
necessary to refurbish the plant, obtaining any required
construction, operation and environmental permits, identifying
and securing necessary fuel sources at a cost-effective rate,
entering into a power purchase agreement for the power output of
the plant, and other activities necessary to restart and operate
the plant
•
our expectation that the market for electrical power will
expand rapidly through 2030 and beyond
•
our belief that escalating fossil fuel costs highlight the
need to seek alternative fuels and utilize new technologies for
electricity generation
•
our belief that political and economic instability in many
oil producing regions of the world will continue to drive the
need to explore energy alternatives to foreign oil
•
our belief that the market opportunity for renewable energy
is significant
•
our belief that market and political forces will continue to
drive increased adoption of renewable energy sources in North
America, with the potential for a future federal nationwide
mandate
•
the nature of our assets
•
our business strategies and plan of operations
•
our competitive advantage in the marketplace
•
the nature and level of competition for our business
the efficiency and efficacy of our business operations
•
the ability of our management to adapt to changing
circumstances
•
our relations with employees
•
our plans for the retention of any future earnings for use in
the expansion and operation of our business and the lack of
plans for paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future
•
our forecast of revenues and results of operations
•
our ability to comply with the terms of our financing
arrangements and avoid and defaults there under
•
our ability to comply with the terms of our power purchase
agreements
•
sources and amounts of our revenues and the timing of revenue
recognition
•
the level, amount and consistency of our revenues
•
our ability to generate cash and the sufficiency of existing
cash and cash equivalents
•
our funding requirements, the timing of our funding
requirements and potential sources of funding
•
our belief that we have emerged on stable financial footing
and are in a good position to drive the business commercially
•
predictions as to the amount and nature of anticipated losses
and use of our cash and whether we will achieve profitability
•
our use of cash, cash equivalent, and short-term investments
in 2008
•
our anticipated general, administrative and development
expenses and capital expenditures
•
our liquidity and the effect or our actions on our
liquidity
•
the amount and impact of interest income and expense
•
the level and amount of our expenses
•
predictions as to when we may incur material income taxes
•
our belief that there is potential for an extension of the
Production Tax Credit for new renewable energy facilities placed
in service beyond 2008
•
our belief that any carbon emissions we emit will be exempt
from future taxes or other requirements to purchase carbon
credits that may be levied on coal and natural gas-fired power
plants
•
the financial effect of the sale of our indemnification
obligations to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Eaton Corporation, and
CoaLogix, Inc.
•
critical accounting policies and the effect of such policies
on our financial statements
These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those reflected in these forward-looking
statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ
include, but are not limited to; those discussed in the sections
entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and
“Risk Factors.”
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
We undertake no responsibility to update any of these
forward-looking statements or conform these statements to actual
results.
“Renegy” and the stylized Renegy logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Renegy Holdings, Inc.
Renegy Holdings, Inc. (“Renegy,” the
“Company,”“we,”“us,” or
“our”) is a renewable energy company focused on
acquiring, developing and operating a growing portfolio of
biomass to electricity power generation facilities to address an
increasing demand for economical power relying on alternative
energy sources. We seek to rapidly grow our portfolio of
renewable energy assets within a five-year period through the
acquisition of existing biomass to electricity facilities (both
operating and idle), in addition to the development,
construction and operation of new biomass facilities. Other
business activities include an established fuel aggregation and
wood products business, which harvests, collects and transports
forest thinning and woody waste biomass fuel to our power
plants, and which sells logs, lumber, shaved wood products and
other high value wood by-products to help reduce the cost of
fuel for our primary business operations.
History
Renegy was incorporated on May 1, 2007 as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“Catalytica”), for purposes of completing
a transaction contemplated by the Contribution and Merger
Agreement (the “Contribution and Merger Agreement”)
dated as of May 8, 2007, as amended, by and among
(i) Renegy, (ii) Catalytica, (iii) Snowflake
Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Renegy (“Merger Sub”’),
(iv) Renegy, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company
(“Renegy LLC”), (v) Renegy Trucking, LLC, an
Arizona limited liability company (“Renegy Trucking”),
(vi) Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, an Arizona
limited liability company (“Snowflake” and, together
with Renegy LLC and Renegy Trucking, the “Snowflake
entities”), (vii) Robert M. Worsley (“R.
Worsley” or “Mr. Worsley”),
(viii) Christi M. Worsley (“C. Worsley”) and
(ix) the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable
Trust (the “Worsley Trust” and, together with R.
Worsley and C. Worsley, “Worsley”).
From inception (May 1, 2007) through
September 30, 2007, we had nominal assets and no material
operating activities other than being a party of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and de minimis financing
activities relating to fees for the registration of shares of
its stock issuable under the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
At a special stockholders meeting held on September 27,2007, Catalytica stockholders holding a majority of the
Catalytica common stock outstanding approved adoption of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement, and, on October 1, 2007,
the parties to the Contribution and Merger Agreement completed
the transaction pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and
Merger Agreement. In the transaction, Catalytica and the
Snowflake entities combined their businesses through the merger
of Merger Sub with and into Catalytica, with Catalytica
surviving the merger, and the concurrent contribution to Renegy
by the Worsley Trust, the beneficial owners of the Snowflake
entities, of all of the outstanding equity interests of the
Snowflake entities (the “Merger Transaction”). As a
result of the Merger Transaction, Catalytica and the Snowflake
entities now operate under Renegy as wholly-owned subsidiaries.
In connection with the consummation of the Merger Transaction,
Catalytica terminated its registration under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 with its filing of Form 15 on
October 2, 2007.
Pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
each outstanding share of common stock of Catalytica was
converted into the right to receive one-seventh (1/7th) of a
share of Renegy common stock. Additionally, each outstanding
option to purchase Catalytica common stock was assumed by Renegy
and now represents an option to acquire shares of Renegy common
stock, subject to the conversion ratio, on the terms and
conditions set forth in the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
Each outstanding Catalytica restricted stock unit award was
accelerated immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger
Transaction and was treated in the same manner as other shares
of Catalytica common stock which were outstanding immediately
prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction.
Further, pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, the Worsley Trust, a trust controlled by R. Worsley
and C. Worsley, received 3,774,048 shares of our common
stock and warrants to purchase up to 2,473,023 shares of
our common stock in connection with the Merger Transaction. The
warrants have an exercise
price of $16.38 per share, provide for vesting in three tranches
conditioned upon the registrant’s achievement of certain
renewable energy-related milestones, and expire at specified
times no later than six years following the closing of the
Merger Transaction. Upon the closing of the Merger Transaction,
the Catalytica stockholders held approximately 41.3% of our
outstanding stock and the Worsley Trust held approximately
58.7%, which would increase to approximately 70% if the warrants
issued to the Worsley Trust are exercised in full.
On November 7, 2007, we consummated the sale of our
SCR-Tech subsidiary, a provider of emissions compliance services
for coal-fired power plants, to CoaLogix Inc.
(“CoaLogix”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acorn
Energy, Inc. Net cash proceeds from the sale, after legal and
professional expenses incurred in connection with the sale and
working capital adjustments, approximated $9.3 million. In
addition, we received a working capital adjustment payment of
approximately $714,000. The Contribution and Merger Agreement
provided that in the event of the sale of the SCR-Tech
subsidiary following the closing of the Merger Transaction for a
sale price exceeding a specified amount, the number of shares of
our common stock issued to the Worsley Trust in the Merger
Transaction would be reduced. As a result of the sale of
SCR-Tech, current stockholders of Renegy (other than the Worsley
Trust) received additional value through an increased percentage
of ownership in Renegy common stock. After expenses and working
capital adjustments required under the Contribution and Merger
Agreement relating to the Merger Transaction, the net effect was
an approximate 1.5% reduction in Renegy common stock currently
owned by the Worsley Trust. Accordingly, current stockholders of
Renegy (other than the Worsley Trust) own approximately 42.8% of
our outstanding common stock as of the date of this report and
the Worsley Trust approximately 57.2% (compared with 41.3% and
58.7% ownership, respectively, at the effective time of the
Merger Transaction).
As a result of the sale of SCR-Tech, we are now pursuing a more
focused business strategy in the large and rapidly developing
renewable energy market.
Overview
Our primary business operations are focused on acquiring,
developing and operating a growing portfolio of biomass to
electricity power generation facilities to address an increasing
demand for renewable and economical power. Other business
activities include an established fuel aggregation and wood
products business, which collects and transports forest thinning
and woody waste biomass fuel to our power plants, and which
sells logs, lumber, shaved wood products and other high value
wood by-products to help reduce the cost of fuel for our primary
business operations.
Our first project is a 24 megawatt (“MW”) biomass
plant that is currently under construction near Snowflake,
Arizona (the “Snowflake plant”). This biomass to
electricity facility, which is scheduled to begin operating in
the second quarter of 2008, has 15- and
20-year
power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) in place with
Arizona Public Service Co. (“APS”) and Salt River
Project (“SRP”), respectively, Arizona’s two
largest electric utility companies. The PPAs provide that all of
the power generated over the respective term is pre-sold for the
length of each respective PPA, providing for what we believe
will be stable and predictable future revenues and cash flow.
Once fully operational, anticipated by mid-2008, this plant will
generate recurring revenues of approximately $16 million
annually, subject to fuel availability and various other
assumptions.
The Snowflake plant is just one element of a larger vision for
Renegy. We believe this plant provides a solid foundation to
pursue a broader growth strategy and expansion into the
renewable energy marketplace. As a first step toward executing
our growth objectives, we acquired in November 2007 an idle
biomass plant in Susanville, California. We currently estimate
this 13 MW plant could be fully operational by year-end
2008, subject to the prospects and timing associated with
securing financing necessary to refurbish the plant; obtaining
any required construction, operation and environmental permits;
identifying and securing necessary fuel sources at a
cost-effective rate; entering into a PPA for the power output of
the plant, and other activities necessary to restart and operate
the plant.
We seek to become a leading biomass to electricity independent
power producer (“IPP”) in North America utilizing wood
waste as a primary fuel source. To this end, as part of our
regular course of business, we plan to continue seeking
strategic growth opportunities, including acquisitions of
additional biomass to electricity power generating facilities
and related businesses, and the construction of new biomass
power plants. We also plan to
continually explore opportunities to expand our fuel aggregation
business to support future biomass power facilities. We have
already identified and begun to explore multiple additional
biomass to electricity project opportunities totaling more than
one gigawatt (“GW”) of power output as well as
strategic business acquisition opportunities that complement our
current business activities, build upon our core competencies,
and strengthen our market position. We expect that a significant
amount of capital will be required to fund our growth strategy.
To this end, we are committed to exploring a variety of
financing alternatives to raise additional capital, which will
likely include a combination of debt and equity financing. To
the extent reasonable and feasible, we plan to seek debt
financing for optimum leverage, including non-recourse debt
financing for new project construction.
Industry &
Market Opportunity
Electric
Power Industry
The market for electrical power is expected to continue to
expand rapidly through 2030 and beyond. Demand in the United
States (“U.S.”) for electricity is projected to
increase from 3.8 trillion kilowatt hours (“kWh”) in
2006 to 5.2 trillion kWh by 2030, according to the Annual Energy
Outlook published by the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Energy Information Administration (“EIA”). While
fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas currently supply
over 70% of electrical power in the U.S., fossil fuels face a
number of challenges that likely will limit their ability to
supply the ever increasing demand for energy:
•
Limited supply and high cost of fossil fuels —
Limited fossil fuel supply and ever increasing electricity
consumption have resulted in high fossil fuel prices and thus
higher electricity costs for U.S. consumers. During the
period
2000-2006,
for example, the EIA’s Electric Power Monthly reported that
the price of petroleum and natural gas increased 95% and 91%,
respectively, and the price of coal increased 35%. We believe
that these high costs highlight the need to seek alternative
fuels and utilize new technologies for electricity generation.
•
Dependence on energy from foreign regions —
Many countries depend on foreign energy for a substantial amount
of their domestic energy needs. The U.S., for example, currently
imports more than 60% of its oil according to the EIA’s
Annual Energy Outlook. Political and economic instability in
many of the leading energy producing regions of the world have
induced the U.S. to explore domestic energy alternatives,
including renewable energy, in order to reduce dependence on
foreign energy. We believe such political and economic
instability will continue to drive the need to explore energy
alternatives to foreign oil.
•
Environmental concerns — Environmental concerns
over the by-products of the combustion of fossil fuels have led
to a global search for environmentally friendly solutions to the
world’s growing electricity needs. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change concluded in 2007 that warming of the
global climate system is unequivocal, that most of the observed
warming since the mid-20th century is very likely due to
man-made sources of greenhouse gas emissions (including from
production of electricity from fossil fuels), and that a variety
of measures are needed to offset or reduce projected growth in
emissions. As of December 2006, a total of 169 countries and
other governmental entities have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to
reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases by 5.2% from
1990 levels during the
2008-2012
period. While the U.S. does not currently participate in
the Kyoto Protocol, it is anticipated that the U.S. will
need to adopt stronger measures and policies in the future. Many
states have already adopted controls on greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable
Energy
As a result of the challenges facing fossil fuels, we believe
the market opportunity for renewable energy is significant.
Renewable energy includes wind power, solar energy, hydropower,
geothermal energy, biomass energy and biofuels. According to
industry sources, renewable energy is poised to become the
fastest-growing sector in the energy market over the next
decade. According to a report on clean energy trends published
by market research firm Clean Edge in March 2007, the worldwide
market for renewable energy is projected to grow from
approximately $55 billion in 2007 to more than
$225 billion by 2016.
In North America, an increased focus on climate change,
environmental awareness, energy independence, security and
sustainability are driving significant market growth. According
to a report published by the American Council on Renewable
Energy (“ACORE”) in March 2007, renewable energy has
the potential to power half the nation by 2025, growing from
approximately 99 GW of power capacity today to over 635 GW
within the next 20 years through the adoption of new energy
policies favoring renewable power such as limits on carbon
dioxide
(“CO2”)
emissions, implementation of nationwide Renewable Portfolio
Standards (“RPS”) and extension of the current
eligibility period for federal production tax credits. While the
EIA’s current estimates for renewable capacity additions do
not take into account the impact of potential future
regulations, it also projects robust growth in renewable energy
through 2030 as a result of rising fossil fuel prices, current
state and federal mandates for renewable electricity generation,
technological advances, and extension of federal production tax
credits through 2008. Leading the projected growth, according to
the EIA, is renewable energy supplied through biomass and wind
projects. EIA projects growth in electricity generated by
renewable sources from 385 billion
kilowatt-hours
in 2006 to 631 billion
kilowatt-hours
in 2030.
Increased demand for diversity of power sources is also creating
favorable market conditions for renewable energy as utilities
recognize that securing power from multiple generation plants,
including renewable sources, can play an important role in
helping to protect against price volatility and supply
uncertainty. Unlike solar and wind power, which provide
intermittent supplies of electricity, biomass offers utilities a
reliable, baseload power source. Utilities generally will find
it necessary to incur the costs of providing
back-up
baseload power because of this intermittent supply problem. For
this reason, we believe that biomass energy is well positioned
to capture a significant share of the U.S. renewable
electricity market. According to ACORE, the biomass market,
alone, has the potential to grow from approximately 10 GW of
electric power generation in the U.S. today to 100 GW by
2025.
Regulatory
Drivers
Our biomass to electricity projects are intended to be
profitable without the need for subsidies or other governmental
assistance. Nevertheless, the increasing demand for energy
produced from renewable resources may provide our existing and
future facilities with a variety of benefits that could serve to
enhance the economics of our projects, including federal and
state renewable power production and investment credits, tax
credits, renewable energy credits and carbon credits, as well as
a competitive advantage as compared to conventional sources of
energy supply. Below is a summary of current and potential
future regulations that may benefit our renewable energy
business:
Renewable
Portfolio Standards (RPS)
Driving the large and growing opportunity for our existing and
future biomass to electricity power projects are state-mandated
RPS for adopting renewable energy. These market-driven state
policies require that utilities obtain as much as 25% of their
electricity from renewable sources within the next 2 to
18 years or face penalties for noncompliance. To date,
25 states1
and the District of Columbia, representing more than 65% of the
U.S. population, have enacted such standards. Three
additional states (Missouri, Vermont, and Virginia) have
implemented voluntary goals for adopting renewable energy, with
no specific enforcement mechanisms. Such regulations are
creating significant opportunities for renewable energy
projects, particularly in California, which requires that
utilities obtain 20% of their total power sold from renewable
sources by the end of 2010. We believe that market and political
forces will continue to drive increased adoption of renewable
energy sources in North America, with the potential for a future
federal nationwide mandate.
Production
Tax Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 included provisions designed to
foster increased development of renewable energy facilities by
offering a Production Tax Credit (“PTC”), which
provides a 1.0 or 2.0-cent per kWh tax benefit, depending on the
renewable resource used in the project. These tax credits are
currently available for the first
1 Arizona,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois,
Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington,
Wisconsin
10 years of a facility’s operation for plants placed
in service prior to December 31, 2008. Because of growing
political support and increased focus on energy sustainability
and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we believe there is
potential for an extension of such tax credits for new renewable
energy facilities placed in service beyond 2008. Several states
are also offering renewable energy production tax credits.
Biomass power plants, wind and solar power plants and other
renewable energy projects typically provide power at a higher
cost than conventional resources such as coal- or gas-fired
combustion turbine generators and hydroelectric plants. The
financial success of some renewable energy projects depends on
federal and state incentives, subsidies and policies including
the PTC, accelerated depreciation, property tax abatement and
state mandated RPS. These laws and regulations could be modified
or repealed or could expire pursuant to existing sunset
provisions. However, current new construction costs of power
plants in general, and the costs of coal, natural gas, uranium
and other feed stocks of these conventional plants are rising
substantially and we believe that costs related to developing
new capacity in the non-renewable power industry may approximate
the current cost of building and operating wind and biomass
power plants today.
Renewable
Energy Credits
Biomass power plants currently qualify for renewable energy
credits (“RECs”). RECs, also known as Green Tags,
Renewable Energy Credits, or Tradable Renewable Certificates,
are tradable environmental commodities that represent proof that
electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy
resource. These credits can be sold and traded and the owner of
the REC can claim to have purchased renewable energy. While
traditional carbon emissions trading programs promote low-carbon
technologies by increasing the cost of emitting carbon, RECs can
incentivize carbon-neutral renewable energy by providing a
production subsidy to electricity generated from renewable
sources.
REC programs are currently in place in
152
U.S. states. Eight additional states, including California,
are considering implementation of REC programs. In states which
have a REC program, a renewable energy provider (such as a
biomass to electricity plant) is credited with one REC for every
1,000 kWh or 1 MWh of electricity it produces that is
physically metered and verified from the generator, or the
renewable energy project. The green energy is then fed into the
electrical grid (by mandate), and the accompanying REC can then
be sold separately as a commodity into the marketplace.
According to the Green Power Network, prices of RECs can
fluctuate greatly. In 2006, prices ranged from $5 to $90 per MWh
with a median price of about $20 per MWh. Prices depend on many
factors, such as the location of the facility producing the
RECs, whether there is a tight supply/demand situation, whether
the REC is used for RPS compliance, and the type of power
created.
Depending upon the terms of the PPA in place with our customers,
we may or may not receive the entire economic benefit from REC
generation. In the case of our Snowflake plant, the RECs
generated by this facility have been sold as part of our PPAs
with APS and SRP.
Carbon
Dioxide Regulation
State, federal and international governments have increasingly
indicated a desire to limit or impose taxes or other costs on
carbon emissions. A number of bills have been introduced and
many hearings held in the United States Congress with
respect to the adoption of mandatory federal carbon dioxide
controls. A recent decision of the United States Supreme Court
has found that carbon dioxide is a pollutant covered by the
Federal Clean Air Act and directed the United States
Environmental Protection Agency to commence action in accordance
with this determination. Several regions of the country have
already begun to adopt greenhouse gas legislation and other
initiatives to reduce
CO2
emissions. For example, in August 2006 seven Northeastern states
released a model rule for implementation of the Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) to cap greenhouse
gas emissions from power producers beginning in January 2009.
Under the RGGI, each participating state has committed to enact
legislation individually to achieve the desired reductions,
including issuing bankable emissions credits for each ton of
CO2
avoided or
2 Arizona,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania,
Texas, Wisconsin, Rhode Island
sequestered. On the west coast, the California Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006 was signed into law on September 27,2006. This legislation mandates a 25% reduction in
California’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, with the
first major controls scheduled to take effect in 2012.
Additionally, the State of Arizona is participating with
California, other western states, and several western Canadian
provinces in the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative,
which is pursuing future mandated reductions in carbon dioxide
emissions. In November 2007, governors from six Midwestern
states signed an accord to reduce greenhouse gases in their
regions.
Biomass power generation is considered a renewable and green
source of electricity under federal and state laws. As such, we
believe that any carbon emissions we emit will be exempt from
future taxes or other requirements to purchase carbon credits
that may be levied on coal and natural gas-fired power plants.
Although efforts to monitor and lobby for this protection may
not be successful, such protection would likely cause future
carbon emission regulation to have a positive effect on the
growth and development of our business and the opportunities in
the energy production market. In such case, we believe that
increased availability and marketability of carbon sequestration
credits could serve to further enhance the potential
profitability of our renewable energy facilities.
Biomass
Biomass energy is energy from the sun captured in organic
materials derived from plants or animals. Sources of biomass
include:
1. Forestry residues (green waste from landfills, sawmill
waste, other vegetative and wood waste)
2. Agricultural crops grown for energy purposes and other
agricultural waste
3. Woody construction and debris waste
4. Animal waste
5. Ethanol waste
6. Municipal solid waste (sewage sludge or other landfill
organics)
7. Landfill gas
8. Other industrial waste (i.e. paper sludge from paper
recycling processes)
Biomass to electricity facilities harness the energy stored in
such organic materials to produce clean, renewable power.
Biomass power plants use this material for fuel, burning it
under controlled, low emissions conditions to generate
electricity. Biomass energy can be generated by gasification,
pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion or direct combustion (100%
biomass combustion or co-firing with coal at existing coal
plants).
In addition to diverting waste from already over-burdened
landfills, biomass facilities are also valued for their negative
greenhouse gas footprint as they displace more potent greenhouse
gas emissions of methane that would otherwise result from the
decomposition and decaying of organic materials that occurs as a
result of landfill accumulation, forest accumulation or
composting. Emissions of methane create 20 times more greenhouse
gas effect than the
CO2
produced during combustion.
Biomass to electricity power facilities are also considered to
be carbon neutral as
CO2
emissions generated by combustion is generally offset by the
CO2
emissions consumed during the lifecycle of plant material. By
comparison, the
CO2
emissions released from the combustion of fossil fuels (such as
coal, oil and natural gas) add to the imbalance of carbon
emissions in our atmosphere, which contributes to global
warming. Furthermore, today’s biomass facilities are
outfitted with
state-of-the-art
pollution control equipment to reduce other air pollutants such
as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (“NOx”) that
would otherwise result from the open burning of biomass or from
forest fires.
Our
Biomass to Electricity Facilities
Our primary business activities are focused on acquiring,
developing and operating a growing portfolio of biomass to
electricity power generation facilities utilizing wood waste as
the predominant fuel source. We plan to sell the electrical (and
possibly the steam) output from our power generating facilities
to local utilities and /or
industrial customers. We will derive revenues from our power
generation facilities primarily through the sale of energy
output under PPAs and other energy contracts. Our current
facilities are described below.
Renegy
at Snowflake
Construction of our 24 MW Snowflake power plant is nearing
completion. This biomass to electricity facility, which is
scheduled to begin operating in the second quarter of 2008, has
15- and
20-year PPAs
in place with APS and SRP, respectively, Arizona’s two
largest electric utility companies. The PPAs provide that all of
the power generated over the respective term is pre-sold for the
length of each respective PPA, providing for what we believe
will be stable and predictable future revenues and cash flow.
Once fully operational, anticipated for mid-2008, we expect this
plant will generate recurring revenues of approximately
$16 million annually, subject to fuel availability and
various other assumptions.
The Snowflake plant will burn certain woody waste biomass
material and recycled paper fibers (paper sludge) to generate
electricity. Wood-fired energy facilities, such as our Snowflake
plant, use leftover, woody waste, commonly referred to as slash,
generated from forest thinning and forestry operations and
sawdust and other waste material from saw and pulp mills as
biomass fuel. The fuel is burned in a boiler to produce
high-pressure steam. This steam is introduced into a steam
turbine, where it flows over a series of aerodynamic turbine
blades, causing the turbine to rotate at a high velocity. The
turbine is connected to an electric generator, so as the steam
flow causes the turbine to rotate, the electric generator turns
and electricity is produced.
The Snowflake plant is located in close proximity to
transmission lines at the site of a recycled newsprint mill
operated by Abitibi Consolidated (“Abitibi”), a
subsidiary of AbitibiBowater, the largest newsprint producer in
the world and a global leader in the production of commercial
printing papers.
On February 11, 2008, Abitibi announced an agreement to
sell its Snowflake, Arizona newsprint mill, to British
Columbia-based Catalyst Paper Corp. (“Catalyst
Paper”), a leading North American producer of mechanical
printing papers. The sale was required by the United States
Justice Department as a result of the recent Abitibi merger with
Bowater. According to the announcement, Catalyst Paper intends
to continue operating the Snowflake paper mill as a means to
strengthen its competitive position and market share by having a
greater presence on the west coast of North America. Abitibi has
further announced that the sale of the mill is expected to close
during the second quarter of 2008. All of Renegy’s
agreements currently in place with Abitibi remain intact and
will be enforceable against the buyer in the new ownership
scenario.
As part of the
25-year
lease and operating agreement in place with Abitibi (which
includes a
25-year
renewal option), recycled paper sludge from this mill will
provide approximately 50% by weight, and 25% by British thermal
units (“BTUs”), of the fuel to be used by the plant.
This material is currently placed in a landfill located at the
site. Ten years worth of paper sludge has been land filled by
Abitibi to date.
The remaining fuel will come from the surrounding national
forests in the form of woody waste material harvested from fire
damaged federal lands and forest thinning projects as well as
from local green waste sites. Pursuant to the requirements of
our credit facilities, prior to the
start-up and
commissioning of the plant, we are required to have a
21/2 years
availability of fuel in the form of logs, wood chips and
grindings either on the plant site or available from
counterparties under contract, provided that at least a one year
stockpile of such
21/2 year
availability of fuel is on site and at all times thereafter. Our
current fuel inventory at the plant site includes approximately
200,000 tons of wood waste fuel, approximately equivalent to a
two-year supply.
Construction and development of the Snowflake plant and related
assets is being financed through equity and approximately
$50 million in secured, non-recourse debt, consisting of
approximately $39 million in tax exempt industrial
development bonds (the “Industrial Development Bonds”
or the “ID Bonds”) and loans from CoBank, ACB
(“CoBank”) of approximately $11 million (the
“CoBank Facility”), of which approximately
$9.3 million of a construction loan (the “Construction
Loan”) and approximately $1.5 million of a Renegy term
loan (the “Renegy Term Loan”) is outstanding. Under
the financing arrangements with our lenders, the ID Bonds and
CoBank Facility are required to be paid off over an
18-year
period commencing June 2008, except that if certain milestones
are not met by June 30, 2008, the Construction Loan and the
Renegy Term Loan become immediately due and payable.
In November 2007, Renegy completed the acquisition of an idle
biomass power plant from Sierra Pacific Industries (“Sierra
Pacific”) for $1.3 million. The plant assets, located
in Susanville, California, include a boiler capable of producing
160,000 pounds per hour of steam and a turbine that can generate
approximately 13 MW of base-load electricity. Including
acquisition costs, we estimate the total cost to refurbish and
re-commission this plant will be less than $800 per kilowatt,
whereas the cost to build a new biomass plant can range from
$2,500 to $3,000 per kilowatt. Based on the attractive economics
of this investment, exploring opportunities to acquire other
idled biomass facilities will continue to be an important
component of our growth strategy.
We estimate our Susanville plant could be fully operational by
the end of 2008, subject to securing necessary financing to
refurbish the plant, obtaining any required construction,
operation and environmental permits, identifying and securing
necessary fuel sources at a cost-effective rate, entering into a
power purchase agreement for the entire power output of the
plant, and other activities necessary to restart and operate the
plant.
Fuel for our Susanville plant will be comprised entirely of
woody waste biomass material that is expected to come from
nearby forests, sawmills and green waste sites within a 75- to
100- mile radius of the plant site. We are currently in
discussions with a local forest products and timber company for
the supply of wood waste. We are also in discussions with
government agencies, local green waste sites and other parties
relating to long-term forest thinning and other contracts that
may enable us to secure additional fuel.
Simultaneously, we are continuing discussions with utility
companies who have expressed an interest in securing the
electrical output of the plant through a long-term PPA, and are
pursuing various financing opportunities we have identified to
help fund the project.
In January 2008, we entered into a Lease and Option Agreement
with Sierra Pacific to lease, with the option of purchasing,
approximately 40 acres of land in Susanville, California
where the biomass power plant is currently located. We intend to
use this property for the operation of the plant and for fuel
storage. The terms of the Lease Agreement provide for monthly
lease payments of $750 per acre per month commencing
January 31, 2008. Simultaneously with entering into the
Lease, for consideration of $100,000, we entered into an Option
Agreement, which provides us the option to acquire the
40-acre site
for a purchase price of $80,000 per acre, subject to a price
escalation of 1.5% per annum. The Option Agreement terminates on
January 31, 2013, subject to certain exceptions. The Option
Agreement provides that the initial $100,000 payment shall be
credited against the purchase price of the property upon
exercise of the Option. In addition, the Lease Agreement
provides that 100% of the first 24 months of lease payments
made by us shall apply to the purchase price under the Option
Agreement if we elect to exercise our purchase option.
Fuel
Aggregation and Wood Products Business
We have built over the past three years a fuel aggregation and
wood products business that we operate near Snowflake, Arizona
with a primary focus on collecting forest thinning and woody
waste biomass within a 75 mile radius and transport such
biomass fuel to our Snowflake plant. This business includes five
Jackson Wood Shavers to manufacture pine shaving material for
horse bedding, a high speed bagger for the pine shavings, two
local sawmills with up to a 20 million board foot capacity,
a pole peeler, screening equipment for mulch production, several
pieces of heavy equipment (including feller bunchers, skidders,
grinders, chippers, etc.), and a fleet of semi-trucks and
trailers used to transport biomass material to the plant and
storage area and, on occasion, to transport wood-related
products being sold to outside companies.
Our fuel aggregation and wood products business is focused on
providing cost-effective forest residue biomass fuel to our
Snowflake plant by collecting it directly from the source,
transporting and then manufacturing and selling lumber, mulch or
other high value products to outside companies to substantially
reduce the cost of
by-product
biomass fuels. We also provide certain forest thinning services
for hire.
As part of our fuel procurement strategy, we contract with the
U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) for timber sale,
salvage sale and service contracts to remove material from the
National Forests, and work with other forestry businesses and
agencies to harvest biomass fuel.
We have in place or have completed approximately 23 contracts
with the U.S. Forest Service, either directly or as a
subcontractor, for the collection, harvesting, chipping/grinding
and hauling of woody waste material. We are also subcontractors
for the stewardship contract awarded to Future Forests, LLC in
September 2004 to thin areas of the Arizona forest that are
unhealthy due to crowding, beetle kill and drought conditions.
In June 2002, the largest forest fire in the history of the
southwest, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, burned over
475,000 acres within close proximity of the site of our
Snowflake plant. A large portion of the initial biomass material
for our Snowflake plant comes from our harvesting of the fire
damaged trees from this area under individual contracts with the
USFS to remove such fuel.
Additionally, we have contracts to manage and collect material
from several community green waste sites, and collect biomass
from the waste generated by Renegy’s and other area
sawmills. Historically, we had been running our sawmills with
over 50% of the sawlogs’ volume becoming fuel for the
Snowflake plant. However, due to recent lumber price declines,
we have suspended all sawmilling operations and do not
anticipate restarting such operations until lumber prices
improve. We currently have in place existing contracts to grind,
chip and remove all woody vegetation and biomass accumulating at
several public green waste disposal sites in Payson and Heber,
Arizona, and several third party sawmill sites.
Overall, from burned areas, green forest thinning work, green
waste sites and sawmill waste; we have collected approximately
400,000 tons of biomass. As described elsewhere in this
document, a substantial portion of that accumulated biomass and
almost all of the saw logs with retail value were lost during
two fires that took place in 2007. However, with additional fuel
collection completed since the fire, combined with the
significant remaining biomass fuel that was not burned, as of
the date of this filing, we now have approximately
24 months’ worth of wood fuel in storage to be used by
our Snowflake plant.
We also recently signed a five-year agreement to process wood
materials into horse shavings (wood shavings used in horse
stables) for distribution throughout the southwest with a large
shavings dealer. Beginning October 1, 2007 and continuing
for five years, we committed to produce 40,000 bags per month,
each holding twelve cubic feet of shavings, for this company. We
have also installed equipment to peel bark and manufacture log
poles for home construction, fences and utilities. Additionally,
we have contracts to provide mulch material for home and garden
use. We have the necessary equipment to filter out the mulch
material from biomass piles in order to sell the more valuable
mulch material and save the remaining chips for boiler fuel.
Renegy understands the importance of a diversified fuel
strategy. As part of our strategy, in addition to gathering
biomass fuel from the forest, we continually seek opportunities
to secure alternate supplies of biomass to supplement the fuel
for our plants. Such additional sources of biomass may include
industrial waste (such as paper sludge), local green waste
sites, municipal waste, agricultural waste, and woody
construction and debris waste.
Growth
Strategy
Our goal is to become a leading biomass to electricity IPP in
North America utilizing wood waste as a primary fuel source. We
seek to rapidly grow our portfolio of renewable energy assets
within a five-year period through acquisitions, development,
construction and operation of biomass to electrical power
generation facilities. Key elements of our growth strategy
include:
Acquiring operating biomass to electricity
facilities. More than 200 wood-burning biomass
plants currently operate in North America. The North American
biomass industry is highly fragmented and we believe it is ripe
for a strategic
roll-up.
Most owners of biomass plants are sawmill operators or pulp and
paper companies that currently own and operate no more than one
or two biomass facilities to consume the waste generated by
their primary operations. In some cases, current owners have
been operating these plants for many years or have PPAs that
will soon expire, and view the burgeoning market for renewable
energy as an opportune time to capitalize on the sale of their
plant assets. We believe we will be able to purchase such
operating facilities for substantially less than the capital
cost associated with building a new biomass plant, which can
range from $2,500 - $3,000 per kW. In many cases, these
facilities will provide for an immediate source of revenues upon
closing a purchase transaction, whereas the construction of a
new biomass plant can take up to three years from concept to
commercial operations. Purchasing existing plants with an
established
history of operations also removes the risk associated with new
construction, and enables us to more rapidly grow our portfolio
of biomass plant assets.
Acquiring idle biomass to electricity
facilities. We have identified several
wood-burning biomass plants across North America that are
currently idle. Many of these plants were idled due to either
fuel supply or PPA issues. For example, following a downturn in
the lumber industry, many sawmills in the U.S. and Canada
were closed down, causing adjacent biomass power plants to also
cease operations. We plan to continue exploring opportunities to
acquire, refurbish, and restart such “mothballed”
facilities where we believe there is potential to resolve any
fuel, PPA or other issues that caused these plants to shut down.
In most cases, these plants can be purchased at a discounted
price and following some refurbishment, can be restarted in a
short amount of time (6 - 12 months). In some cases, a
lack of fuel supply or other factors at a plant’s current
site may warrant relocation of the plant.
Building new biomass to electricity
facilities. We will continue to be opportunistic
in our development and construction of new biomass to
electricity facilities, and will require that they meet certain
criteria. Specifically, new greenfield projects will:
•
be developed in fuel-rich zones with long-term fuel supply
secured;
•
focus on centralized, utility-scale electricity generation;
•
utilize technology proven in commercial-scale operation;
•
secure pre-sold power contracts through long-term power purchase
agreements with utility companies;
•
be debt financed with non-recourse project financing, to the
extent feasible and reasonable;
•
be close to transmission/distribution lines; and
•
be economically compelling.
Locking up long-term supplies of fuel through control of fuel
zones. Securing sustainable, long-term supplies
of fuel will be critical to the successful operation of our
biomass facilities. As part of our cost effectiveness and supply
strategy, we intend to secure exclusive long-term contracts and
fuel supply agreements to lock up fuel sources in the vicinity
of our facilities. We plan to leverage our fuel aggregation
expertise and established relationships with the USFS and other
government agencies to secure stewardship, service and forest
thinning contracts. We also plan to enter into contracts or
partnerships with local green waste sites, sawmill operators,
pulp and paper mills, and other parties that generate wood waste
to supply additional fuel to our plants.
Expanding our fuel aggregation business to support future
facilities. We recognize that the key to success
in the biomass business is efficient and cost-effective
procurement and delivery of fuel to our plants. To this end, we
plan to replicate the fuels business we have established near
our Snowflake plant and build similar fuel aggregation
businesses in the vicinity of future biomass facilities so that
we will not be as vulnerable to price escalation as companies
that purchase their fuel from third party suppliers.
Partnering with or acquiring related businesses that
complement our current business activities, build upon our core
competencies, or strengthen our market
position. We will continue to be opportunistic in
our pursuit of partnerships or other business acquisitions that
may add depth to our in-house construction and operations
expertise, allow us to realize cost efficiencies or economies of
scale, enable us to expand our control of fuel zones, or gain
market penetration.
Incorporating a technological advantage. We
plan to continually seek opportunities to incorporate a
technology advantage in our business to improve the economics of
our operations or strengthen our competitive position. For
example, we are currently exploring opportunities to grow energy
crops such as sorghum to provide additional fuel for our biomass
facilities. We also may explore other technologies such as
gasification, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion that could
provide greater efficiency in the conversion of cellulosic
material into energy.
Multiple biomass to electricity project opportunities totaling
in excess of 1 GW of power output have been identified and are
currently being explored. These opportunities include
acquisitions of existing facilities as well as new greenfield
projects in various locations across North America. While future
projects will focus on supplying clean and renewable power
primarily through biomass in the near term, we will remain
opportunistic in our pursuit of future renewable energy
projects, and may explore solar and wind projects as part of a
longer term strategy.
Future projects will leverage our renewable energy industry
knowledge, biomass project experience, fuel aggregation
expertise, and our strong relationships with utilities and
government agencies at both state and federal levels.
We believe we will be able to apply the resources, knowledge,
experience and credibility gained through our current business
activities to successfully develop and profitably operate
additional renewable energy plants. These assets include:
•
an established fuel aggregations business for harvesting and
supplying fuel to biomass facilities;
•
an in-depth understanding of the technology of boilers and
interconnectivity requirements for electricity production;
•
a solid reputation with utility customers as a proven and
trusted partner;
•
established relationships with state and federal agencies;
•
siting expertise for optimal location of new renewable energy
facilities;
•
forest service credibility in the collection of wood waste for
biomass fuel; and
•
experience with securing low cost financing, long-term power
purchase agreements, air permits and transmission and
distribution agreements.
Energy
and Environmental Regulations
Renegy intends to build and operate renewable energy power
plants in various states throughout the U.S. as well as in
Canada. While the market opportunities for our business are
driven by increasingly stringent environmental regulations, our
present and any future renewable energy facilities will also be
subject to complying with extensive energy and environmental
regulation by federal, state and local authorities in all the
locations where they may operate. In many cases, these
regulations require a lengthy and complex process of obtaining
and maintaining licenses, permits and approvals from various
government agencies, and will require significant administrative
responsibilities to monitor our compliance with regulations. We
cannot predict whether federal, state or local governments will
modify or adopt new legislation or regulation relating to the
energy industry, nor can we cannot predict the effect of
compliance therewith on our business. New regulatory
requirements could require modifications to operating
facilities, which could require that operations at our
facilities be reduced or idled during such modifications. We are
responsible for ensuring the compliance of our facilities with
all the applicable requirements and, accordingly, we attempt to
minimize these risks by dealing with reputable contractors and
using appropriate technology to measure compliance with the
applicable standards. The costs of operating our present and
future facilities may be positively or negatively affected by
any changes in regulations or in their interpretation or
implementation. These potential costs cannot be quantified at
this time. Below is a summary of current and potential future
regulations impacting our business:
Clean
Air Act
Our biomass to electricity facilities may be required to comply
with air quality regulations of the federal Clean Air Act in the
areas in which they operate. This federal law covers the entire
country and is enforced by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (“EPA”) to improve air quality in
the United States. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has
established national ambient air quality standards
(“NAAQS”) for six principal pollutants (ozone, sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide
and lead) at levels that protect public health and welfare with
an adequate margin of safety. The EPA limits how much of each
such pollutant can be in the air
anywhere in the United States, with each state responsible for
developing individual state implementation plans
(“SIPs”) describing how each state will meet the
EPA’s set limits for various pollutants.
Federal
Power Act
The Federal Power Act (“FPA”) regulates certain
aspects of electric generating companies and their subsidiaries
and places constraints on the conduct of their business. The FPA
regulates wholesale sales of electricity and the transmission of
electricity in interstate commerce by public utilities. Pursuant
to FPA Section 205 and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(“FERC”) implementing regulations, our biomass plants
must obtain authorization from FERC before selling power at
wholesale rates. Effective January 1, 2008, our Snowflake
plant secured authorization from FERC to sell power at wholesale
rates as an Exempt Wholesale Generator (“EWG”).
Our Snowflake plant currently leases interconnection facilities
through which the plant will eventually transmit energy to the
purchasers of its output. The Snowflake plant and the
interconnection facility lessor are parties to an existing
FERC-approved interconnection agreement, which allows the
Snowflake plant to connect to the interstate transmission
network and transmit its output for sale to third parties. Both
the interconnection agreement and the Snowflake plant’s
access to the interconnection facilities are subject to the
terms of the lease agreement. If the lease is terminated, the
Snowflake plant will need to make alternate arrangements to
interconnect and transmit power. During any such period, energy
sales may be curtailed.
Arizona
Corporation Commission
The Snowflake plant currently is exempt from regulation by the
Arizona Corporation Commission because of the size of the plant
and because the power is being sold to utilities for resale and
not to the public. However, future regulation by the Arizona
Corporation Commission could subject the Snowflake plant or
future plants located in Arizona to state rate or similar
regulations, which could have an adverse affect on our plants or
their power purchase agreements.
Other
State Regulations
State public utility commissions or similar regulatory
authorities (“PUCs”) have historically had broad
authority to regulate both the rates charged by, and the
financial activities of, electric utilities operating in their
states and to carry out a number of activities relating to
regulated electric companies contracts for power supplies from
other companies, including independent power producers and
qualifying facilities (“QFs”) under PURPA. Because a
power sales agreement generally is incorporated into a
utility’s cost structure and its retail rates, power sales
agreements with independent power producers, such as EWGs and
QFs, are potentially subject to state regulatory scrutiny,
including the process in which the utility has entered into the
power sales agreement. Many states require or otherwise create
incentives, causing electric utilities to carry out competitive
procurement processes as the means for identifying the suppliers
eligible to sign power sales agreements with the utility.
Furthermore, independent power producers that are not QFs or
EWGs may be considered to be public utilities in some states, at
least for some purposes. As such, these entities would be
subject to broad regulation by a PUC, ranging from certificates
of public convenience and necessity to regulation of
organizational structure, accounting, and financial and other
matters. In addition, because QF contracts are sometimes at
rates that exceed current market rates for electricity, PUCs
sometimes encourage their regulated utilities to take certain
actions to reduce the difference between the market price and
the contract price. Such actions can include efforts to
renegotiate or restructure the contracts, litigation or
termination. States may also assert jurisdiction over the siting
and construction of electric generating facilities including
facilities owned and operated by QFs and EWGs. PUCs may also
have jurisdiction over how new federal initiatives associated
with power production are implemented in their respective
states. The actual scope of jurisdiction over independent power
projects by PUCs varies from state to state.
Energy
Policy Act of 2005 and Public Utility Holding Company Act of
2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 enacted comprehensive changes to
the domestic energy industry which may affect our business. One
such change was the repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935 and the
passage of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (PUHCA
2005). The Snowflake plant has obtained EWG status under PUHCA
2005, which exempts the plant from certain accounting and record
retention requirements required under PUHCA 2005. No assurance
can be given, however, as to potential future changes in
regulatory requirements that may impact our Snowflake or future
biomass plants’ ability to qualify for this exemption. If
our Snowflake plant or other future plants are unable to secure
and maintain status as an EWG, we may be unable to sell power
under our power purchase agreements.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 removed certain regulatory
constraints that previously limited the ability of utilities and
utility holding companies to invest in certain activities and
businesses, which may have the effect over time of increasing
competition in energy markets in which Renegy plans to
participate. In addition, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 includes
provisions that may remove some of the benefits provided to
non-utility electricity generators, such as our Snowflake plant,
after its existing power purchase agreements expire. As a
result, we may face increased competition in the sale of power
from our facilities, as well as the potential for increased FERC
regulatory oversight. In addition, the removal of such
provisions may make it more difficult for us to acquire or
develop future renewable energy facilities.
Competition
Our primary source of revenue is expected to come from the
ownership and operation of facilities that generate and sell
renewable, “green” energy through PPAs with utility or
industrial companies. Our primary competitors include other
producers of renewable and alternative energy through biomass
combustion, biomass anaerobic digestion, geothermal, solar,
wind, hydro and other renewable sources. These companies
represent a significant class of competitors because they will
compete with us for power purchase contracts, transmission line
capacity, the sale of marketable renewable energy credits and
participation in other renewable energy programs.
We also face many forms of competition with respect to the
resources required to operate our facilities. Such competition
includes other operators of biomass to electricity power
facilities and biofuel companies with whom we may compete for
wood waste fuel. We likely will also face competition for wood
waste fuel from coal-fired power plant operators who co-fire
biomass with coal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other
air pollutants, and to benefit from the sale of RECs. If we
cannot obtain and maintain sufficient fuel supply for our
facilities, or cannot obtain or maintain them at reasonable
costs, our profitability will be adversely affected.
Furthermore, there are many companies that build and operate
biomass to electricity power facilities. We are aware of several
other companies that operate biomass plants in North America. A
number of competitors have more mature businesses and have a
more established track record associated with building and
operating such facilities in North America. We may be forced to
compete with any of these competitors for access to equipment,
construction supplies, skilled labor for the construction and
operation of our facilities and the supplies of wood waste fuel
required to operate our facilities. The effect of such
competition could be reflected in higher costs associated with
obtaining access to these resources, as well as an insufficient
supply of these resources for the profitable operation of our
facilities.
We view our commitment to collect and transport wood waste fuel
directly from the source, along with our diversified fuel
strategy, as a significant competitive advantage.
Human
Resources
As of December 31, 2007, we employed 64 persons. None
of our employees are represented by a labor union. We believe
our relations with our employees are good.
Available
Information
The Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB,
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-QSB
and Current Reports on
Form 8-K,
including any amendments filed or furnished pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, will be made
available free of charge on or through the Company’s
website, www.renegy.com, as soon as reasonably
practicable following the filing of the reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of our website
are not, and shall not be deemed to be, incorporated into this
report.
The following risk factors could materially and adversely
affect our future operating results, financial condition, the
value of our business, and the price of our common stock and
also could cause actual events to differ materially from those
predicted in the forward-looking statements we make about our
business. Investors are encouraged to carefully consider the
risks described below before making decisions related to buying,
holding or selling our common stock.
We
remain in the early stages of development and have very little
operating history from which to evaluate our business and
performance.
We are developing the Snowflake plant, a 24 MW biomass
power plant near Snowflake, Arizona held by our subsidiary,
Snowflake, that will use forest thinnings, woody waste materials
and recycled paper sludge as a fuel supply. However, the
Snowflake plant has not yet been completed and Snowflake has no
other activities other than construction of the Snowflake plant.
We have limited experience in the construction and operation of
biomass power plants such as the one we are currently
constructing. Because of this limited experience, there can be
no assurance that our Snowflake plant will ever be profitable.
Our operating subsidiaries, Renegy LLC and Renegy Trucking, were
formed in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Renegy LLC’s
business consists primarily of procuring forest thinnings and
woody waste materials to be used as a fuel source in the
Snowflake biomass power plant obtained through various contracts
with third parties, including numerous contracts with the United
States Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest
Service. These contracts allow Renegy LLC to remove forest
thinnings and woody waste materials from land owned by the
Forestry Service. Renegy Trucking’s business consists
solely of transporting fuel supplies from sites where Renegy LLC
is operating and delivering the fuel supplies to the Snowflake
biomass power plant. Neither of these subsidiaries is profitable
and there can be no assurance they will ever be profitable.
We
have incurred significant losses since inception. We anticipate
incurring significant losses until we are able to commence
operations of the Snowflake plant and we likely will continue to
incur losses, which may be significant, even upon operation of
the plant.
We have had a history of losses since inception. For the twelve
months ended December 31, 2007, we incurred losses of
approximately $15,180,000 (which consists of our losses of
approximately $11,561,000 for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the
Snowflake entities losses of approximately $3,619,000 for the
first nine months of 2007). The Snowflake entities incurred
losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 of
$6,800,000. Our cumulative losses since inception, including the
losses of the Snowflake entities, total approximately
$23,627,000.
We anticipate that we will incur significant losses at least
until the Snowflake plant is completed and fully operational.
Further, even if the Snowflake plant operates as expected, we
likely will continue to incur losses, which may be significant,
because of the level of our corporate overhead, including the
business development costs of seeking to acquire
and/or
develop additional power plants, and other operating expenses,
including our fuel aggregation and wood products business and
various lease and financing obligations for property, plant and
equipment (collectively, our “corporate overhead”).
Even upon commercial operations, if our costs to operate the
Snowflake plant are higher than anticipated or if power
production from the plant is lower than anticipated, our losses
will be higher than anticipated. Thus, until we acquire or
develop additional power plants which generate enough revenues
to result in positive income, we likely will continue to incur
losses. Moreover, even if we become cash flow break-even, we
likely will continue to incur losses because of significant
depreciation expenses for our property, plant and equipment. No
assurance can be given that we will generate sufficient revenues
to allow us to become profitable or to sustain profitability if
we were to become profitable.
We
anticipate incurring significant negative cash flow until the
commencement of operations of the Snowflake plant, and we likely
will continue to incur negative cash flow even after the
commencement of operations of the Snowflake plant. Such negative
cash flow may exceed our remaining funds.
At December 31, 2007, we had cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments (collectively “cash”) of
approximately $18,171,000, of which approximately $2,411,000 was
restricted cash from our financing
arrangements with CoBank which can be used solely for
construction of the Snowflake plant and related activities. All
of such restricted funds have been used for such construction
and related activities as of the date of this report. We
anticipate using $8.0 million of our remaining
non-restricted funds towards seeking to complete the
construction of the Snowflake plant, with Robert and Christi
Worsley (the “Worsleys”) responsible for the remaining
funds to complete the construction of the plant. Further, we
continue to incur significant costs for our corporate overhead.
Any delay in the start of the Snowflake plant will result in
continuing significant negative cash flow which may result in
the depletion of our remaining funds prior to the start of
commercial operations of the plant. Further, although we expect
the Snowflake plant to generate positive cash flow upon
operation, operational problems or unanticipated expenses could
result in negative cash flow. Even if the Snowflake plant
generates positive cash flow in the amount anticipated, we do
not believe such cash flow will be sufficient to fully cover our
corporate overhead and debt payment requirements. Thus, we
ultimately do not expect to achieve positive cash flow from our
business until we have acquired
and/or
developed a sufficient number of power plants to generate enough
cash flow to cover our corporate overhead, and we currently do
not have the financial resources to acquire
and/or
develop such plants. Moreover, if the Snowflake plant performs
poorly or costs of operations are significantly higher than
anticipated, it is possible that the cash flow from the
operation of the Snowflake plant may not be sufficient to pay
the indebtedness on the plant, in which case we may default on
the debt financing secured by the plant. Any of these scenarios
would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations and could result in our
stockholders losing their entire investment.
We may
not be able to raise the additional capital we need on favorable
terms, or at all. We may not be able to obtain necessary capital
because of restrictions in our current and future financing
arrangements, and in the event Mr. Worsley is no longer
serving as our Chief Executive Officer, the Snowflake entities
could lose their existing financing due to requirements of the
financing arrangements.
We do not have sufficient funds to acquire
and/or
develop additional power plants or otherwise pursue our growth
strategy, and we will need significant additional capital to
accomplish this objective. The capital we seek may take the form
of equity or debt financing, including the issuance of common
stock, convertible debt, warrants and project-specific
financing. We cannot anticipate the terms of any such financing.
Any such financing, however, could be dilutive to existing
stockholders and may have unfavorable terms, including providing
common stock or securities convertible into common stock at a
significant discount to the then current market price of our
common stock. Further, such financing may not be available on
any terms, in which case we likely will not have sufficient
funds to continue our operations. The Snowflake entities’
current financing arrangements with CoBank for the Snowflake
plant (which relate to both the construction and term loans from
CoBank and the industrial development bonds) require that
Mr. Worsley’s ownership interest in us is at all times
at least 50.1% and we maintain directly or indirectly 100% of
the economic interest in and voting power of the Snowflake
entities (as defined herein). Further, at any time after the
earlier of April 1, 2009 or one year after the commencement
of the operation of the Snowflake plant, Mr. Worsley’s
ownership interest in us may fall below 50.1% without an event
of default occurring under the financing arrangements with
CoBank provided that (i) we maintain directly or indirectly
100% of the economic interest in and voting power of the
Snowflake entities and (ii) Mr. Worsley continues to
exercise titular and effective managerial control of us. This
provision may significantly restrict our ability to use equity
financing for future projects as we may be required to obtain
the consent of CoBank. This may require us to use more debt
financing than would otherwise be appropriate and may increase
the risk of any future financing. No assurance can be given as
to the effect of any future equity or debt financing or the
effect on our business or financial condition. Additionally, if
we fail to comply with this provision, we would be required to
seek a waiver from, or renegotiate our existing financing
arrangements with, CoBank. In addition, in the event of the
death of Mr. Worsley, the CoBank financing arrangements
require that his economic and voting interests in us be
transferred within one year of his death to a
U.S. incorporated entity having a substantial part of its
business in the electric energy generation business and which
has at least an investment grade rating on its unsecured senior
long-term debt and compliance with certain other requirements.
If such transfer does not occur, we would be required to seek a
waiver from, or renegotiate our then existing financing
arrangements with CoBank or we would be in default under such
financing arrangements.
The Snowflake entities have borrowed approximately
$50 million to finance the construction of the Snowflake
plant as described elsewhere herein and also have borrowings
under equipment leases totaling approximately $1,675,000.
Although we have not guaranteed the $50 million plant
financing, we have directly guaranteed the equipment financing.
We have obtained a credit facility from Comerica under which we
can borrow up to $6.2 million. We may need to borrow the
amount available under the line during 2008 to meet our
operating requirements. The use of leverage significantly
increases our risk profile. Ultimately we must repay any such
borrowings. Draw of funds under the line of credit with Comerica
requires monthly payments of interest and must be repaid in its
entirety within one year. If we or the Snowflake entities
default under or otherwise are unable to pay these financing
obligations, we would be required to obtain other sources of
debt or equity financing to repay such obligations, and such
sources are unlikely to be available on favorable terms or at
all in such circumstances. If we or the Snowflake entities were
unable to repay any financing obligation, we likely would be
unable to continue our business operations and our stockholders
likely would lose their entire investment.
We may
experience biomass power plant development and construction
risks and the construction of the Snowflake plant or future
renewable energy facilities we develop may not be completed on
time.
Our success in constructing the Snowflake plant is dependent on
third parties’ performance of contractual obligations under
construction agreements. The construction of the Snowflake
biomass power plant involves many risks, including those
described elsewhere in these risk factors and the following:
•
the inaccuracy of our assumptions with respect to timing;
•
supply interruptions or shortages;
•
shortages and inconsistent qualities of equipment, material and
labor;
•
failure by key contractors and vendors to timely and properly
perform;
•
permitting and other regulatory issues, license revocation and
changes in legal requirements;
•
labor disputes and work stoppages;
•
unforeseen engineering and environmental problems;
•
unanticipated cost overruns, many of which have occurred to date
•
problems encountered during testing and
start-up of
the plant; and
•
weather interferences, catastrophic events including fires,
explosions, earthquakes, droughts and acts of terrorism.
We cannot predict the impact of these risks on our business or
operations. Any one of the above risks could give rise to
delays, cost overruns or the termination of plant construction,
and could result in the loss (total or partial) of
Snowflake’s financing due to the failure to meet
construction deadlines that are required under the Snowflake
entities’ financing agreements
and/or the
power purchase agreements. However, most of the construction of
the Snowflake plant has been completed as of the date of this
report, and remaining construction risks relate principally to
any required final construction completion during the
start-up and
testing phase of the plant.
Termination
of any construction contract related to the construction of the
Snowflake biomass power plant could constitute an event of
default under the Snowflake entities’ financing
agreements.
Termination or nonperformance of any construction contract
related to the construction of the Snowflake biomass power plant
could be treated by the Snowflake entities’ lenders as an
event of default under the Snowflake entities’ financing
agreements. As described elsewhere in these risk factors, this
could materially and adversely affect the Snowflake
entities’ business and operations.
The
Snowflake plant is being constructed with a significant amount
of refurbished used equipment and parts and this increases the
risk that there will be problems in the construction and
operation of the plant.
A significant amount of the critical equipment and parts for the
Snowflake plant, including the turbine for the operation of
plant, is used and has been refurbished. The refurbished turbine
for the plant was manufactured in 1962. Although the use of such
equipment has reduced the cost of construction, it increases the
risk that a particular piece of equipment or part might fail.
The use of previously used equipment and parts increases the
risk that the equipment will not operate correctly or as
efficiently as new equipment or that repairs or replacement of
such equipment may need to be made during the construction or
operation of the plant. This may further delay construction and
result in additional cost overruns. It also may cause the
Snowflake plant to have disruptions in service, which may cause
us to breach the energy delivery requirements under the power
purchase agreements relating to the plant. Moreover, refurbished
used equipment and parts generally have little or no warranty
protection as compared to newly manufactured equipment and
parts. Further, parts for older used equipment are likely to be
more difficult and more costly to obtain.
Operation
of the Snowflake plant and any future renewable energy
facilities involve significant risks. Our future financial
performance will depend on the successful operation of the
Snowflake plant and future renewable energy
facilities.
The operation of the Snowflake plant and any future renewable
energy plants we may construct or acquire involve many risks,
including: the inaccuracy of our assumptions with respect to the
timing and amount of anticipated revenues; complying with the
terms of power purchase agreements for the sale of power; supply
interruptions; the breakdown or failure of equipment or
processes; difficulty or inability to find suitable replacement
parts for equipment; decreases in the demand or market prices
for energy production; the availability of fuel supplies and
maintaining access to fuel supplies on a cost-effective basis;
competition for fuel from alternative uses, such as for biofuel,
which may increase the costs of obtaining fuel supplies;
disruption in the transmission of electricity generated;
permitting and other regulatory issues; license revocation and
changes in legal requirements; labor disputes and work
stoppages; unforeseen engineering and environmental problems;
unforeseen construction cost overruns; weather interferences and
catastrophic events including fires, explosions, earthquakes,
droughts and acts of terrorism; the exercise of power of eminent
domain by governmental authorities; and performance below
expected levels of output or efficiency.
We cannot predict the impact of these risks on our business or
operations. These risks, if they were to occur, could prevent us
from meeting contractual obligations and would have a material
adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Our future financial performance depends on the successful
operation of the Snowflake plant and future renewable energy
facilities. The cost of operation and maintenance and the
operating performance of the Snowflake and other future biomass
plants may be adversely affected by a variety of factors,
including:
•
regular and unexpected maintenance and replacement expenditures;
•
performance below expected levels of output or efficiency;
•
shutdowns due to the breakdown or failure of equipment or the
equipment of the transmission-serving utility;
•
labor disputes and work stoppages;
•
catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, earthquakes,
landslides, floods, severe storms or similar occurrences
affecting the biomass power plant or any of the power purchasers
or other third parties providing services to the biomass power
plant; and
•
the inability to procure adequate supplies of fuel at reasonable
costs.
Additionally, we will be dependent upon a third party operator
for the successful operation of the Snowflake biomass power
plant. To the extent that this third party does not fulfill its
obligations, the Snowflake plant’s operations could be
adversely affected.
We
will be highly dependent on Abitibi or its successor for the
operation of the Snowflake plant. If Abitibi or such successor
were to terminate the agreement with us, we would find it
extremely difficult or impossible to replace the necessary
services, and may not be able to operate the Snowflake plant.
Abitibi has announced that it has entered into an agreement to
sell the paper mill to Catalyst Paper.
The Snowflake plant is being constructed immediately adjacent to
the Abitibi recycled paper mill near Snowflake, Arizona, on land
leased from Abitibi. The Snowflake plant will depend on Abitibi
for paper mill sludge, which will represent about 50% by weight
and 25% by BTUs of the fuel source for the operation of the
Snowflake plant, with the remaining fuel being provided by wood
waste, principally from wood gathered from surrounding forests
in an approximately 50 mile radius from the plant. Pursuant
to the Snowflake entities’ agreement with Abitibi, this
paper mill sludge will be provided without charge to the
Snowflake entities, as this saves Abitibi the cost of burying
the sludge on its property. Furthermore, under the Snowflake
entities’ agreement with Abitibi, Abitibi will operate the
Snowflake plant, including providing the management,
administrative services, personnel, tools, materials, parts and
consumables necessary to operate and maintain the plant. Abitibi
will also provide the Snowflake entities with access to the
electrical grid at Abitibi’s substation and various
critical services. In exchange for providing such services, the
Snowflake entities will reimburse Abitibi for all operational
costs associated with Abitibi’s operation of the plant and
pay Abitibi an annual incentive bonus based upon achievement of
certain operational capacity targets. Additionally, Snowflake
made a one-time payment of $500,000 to Abitibi as
Snowflake’s share of the cost of constructing the
substation that will provide access to the electrical grid, and
in connection with this payment, Snowflake received a 20%
ownership interest in the substation and a transmission line
emanating from the substation to the point of interconnection
with the electrical grid. Abitibi may cease operation of its
paper mill or terminate its agreement regarding substation
access, critical shared facilities and services, or the supply
of paper mill sludge. If Abitibi terminates its lease agreement
with the Snowflake entities and no longer provides the Snowflake
entities with access to the substation, the Snowflake entities
will be required to negotiate a new interconnection agreement
with APS. If Abitibi ceases to operate the Snowflake power plant
in accordance with the lease agreement, the Snowflake entities
would need to find a substitute party to operate the plant. In
such an event, pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement,
Abitibi will be required at the request of Snowflake and at
Snowflake’s expense to train a new operator. Further, such
a termination would not be effective until, upon Abitibi’s
request, a new interconnection agreement is in place and, in any
event, the earlier of the date upon which a new operator
agreeable to Snowflake is engaged and trained to the
satisfaction of Snowflake or 90 days after the date which
would otherwise have been the date of termination. If Abitibi
ceased operations at the paper mill, the Snowflake entities
would have the opportunity to purchase the land leased from
Abitibi, but they would be required to replace some of the
services performed by Abitibi and would potentially need to find
a substitute fuel source to replace the paper mill sludge. In
particular, the closure of the Abitibi paper mill would result
in the loss of the water supply, the boiler feed water supply,
needed compressed air to operate the plant, sewage and
wastewater treatment, firewater service, backup power, control
room access, waste ash removal and disposal service, operation
and maintenance services and other needed services, as well as
necessary state environmental permits to operate the plant. The
Snowflake entities estimate that it would cost at least
$2 million to replace these services over a one year
period. Additionally, although the Snowflake entities would have
access to an existing storage facility located within one mile
of Snowflake’s plant containing approximately nine years of
paper mill sludge, this sludge may decompose or may otherwise be
inadequate for use as fuel and thus closure of the Abitibi paper
mill could eventually make it necessary to replace the paper
mill sludge used in the plant with an alternative fuel source,
such as additional wood waste. Despite the mitigating factors
discussed above, in the event of a closure of the Abitibi paper
mill, it may be impossible or cost prohibitive for the Snowflake
entities to replace these services and the fuel and it may
necessitate shutting down the Snowflake plant. Our business
model assumes that the paper mill is profitable and that Abitibi
would not seek to shut it down, but no assurance can be given
that these assumptions are correct. In recent years, competitive
pressures in the paper industry and a decline in newspaper
circulation have reduced the demand for paper products such as
those produced at the Abitibi paper mill. As a result of the
requirements of the United States Justice Department in
connection with the recently completed merger involving Abitibi
and Bowater, Incorporated (“AbitibiBowater”),
AbitibiBowater announced in February 2007 that it had entered
into an agreement to sell the paper mill to Catalyst Paper. That
sale is subject to various closing conditions, and Abitibi has
announced that it anticipates a closing of the sale during the
second quarter of 2008. The sale of the paper mill to Catalyst
Paper may increase the financial risk profile of the plant as a
result of the
structure of the proposed acquisition by a newly formed
subsidiary of Catalyst Paper and the financing of the purchase
and thus may increase the risk to the long term operation of the
paper mill and thus of the Snowflake plant.
The
Snowflake entities will depend on a third party for
interconnection facilities to transmit power.
The Snowflake plant has a revocable, 20 percent ownership
interest in the interconnection facilities through which the
plant will transmit energy to the purchasers of its output. The
Snowflake plant and the interconnection facilities’
majority owner are joint parties to an existing FERC-approved
interconnection agreement, which will allow the Snowflake plant
to connect to the interstate transmission grid and transmit its
output. Both the interconnection agreement and the Snowflake
plant’s access to the interconnection facilities are
subject to the terms of a lease agreement with the
interconnection facilities’ majority owner that provides a
right of access and utilization so long as the lessor operates
the interconnection facilities. If the lease is terminated, the
Snowflake plant may need to make alternate arrangements to
interconnect and transmit power. During any such period, energy
sales may be curtailed.
The
Snowflake entities do not have any further available funds to
complete the construction of the Snowflake plant, and any future
funding must come either from us, the Worsleys, or from
additional financing sources. We have agreed to pay
$6.0 million for capital investments in the Snowflake plant
and $2.0 million of cost overruns in connection with the
construction of the plant, and the Worsleys will be liable for
any remaining overruns. The Worsleys have deposited
$5.0 million with us for any such remaining overruns, but
if overruns exceed such amounts and the Worsleys cannot satisfy
them, then we may be required to pay such cost overruns to
preserve our ownership of the plant.
The Snowflake entities do not have any remaining funds from
their financing arrangements to complete construction of the
Snowflake plant. As a result, any future costs of construction
must either come from our funds or funds of the Worsleys in
accordance with the agreement of the parties. In connection with
the Snowflake power plant project, Mr. Worsley and his
spouse entered into certain personal guarantees, including one
that requires the Worsleys to contribute to the Snowflake
entities the costs of paying for project costs that exceed the
project cost budget amount of approximately $67 million
under the CoBank financing arrangements. We currently expect
that the final cost of the plant will exceed the original budget
by approximately $13.5 million. Of this amount, the Special
Committee of our Board of Directors has determined that
$6.0 million constitutes new capital investments in the
plant that have been or may be incurred relating to the
acquisition of new assets and other plant enhancements that are
expected to further increase the efficiency, reliability and
long-term operating performance of the plant, and we will pay
for such costs. The remaining amounts in excess of the original
budget constitute cost overruns resulting from rising costs of
labor, building materials and other construction matters. We
will be responsible for the first $2.0 million of such
costs and the Worsleys will be liable for any remaining
overruns. The Worsleys have deposited $5.0 million with us
to ensure that such funds are available to pay their anticipated
portion of the overruns.
To the extent that the project cost overrun exceeds our
currently anticipated estimates, the Worsleys will be required
to fund such overrun. Although the Worsleys have a significant
net worth, most of that net worth is illiquid and they may be
unable to cover such overrun. In such event, we would have a
claim against the Worsleys for the failure to pay for such
overrun, but we may be required to expend our own funds to avoid
a default under the credit facilities and power purchase
agreements relating to the Snowflake plant so as to protect our
investment in the plant. Any decision to expend such funds would
be made by the independent Class III directors and not by
Mr. Worsley. However, such a situation, were it to occur,
likely would result in a dispute between us and Mr. Worsley
and could have a material adverse effect on us. Further, the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibits us from making loans to
executive officers and to the extent we find it necessary to
expend our own funds to cover a failure of the Worsleys to pay
for an overrun, we risk being in violation of such prohibitions.
If either we or the Worsleys are unable or unwilling to make any
necessary additional contributions to complete construction of
the plant, there can be no assurance that additional financing
would be available to the Snowflake entities, or if such
financing is available, that it would be on terms acceptable to
us. In such event, we may be required to seek to sell the
Snowflake plant under unfavorable circumstances, and we may not
be able to find a buyer for an uncompleted plant at a price
sufficient to repay the debt secured by the plant, or at any
price. Thus, any inability by us or the Worsleys to provide
necessary funds to complete construction of the Snowflake
biomass plant
or any inability by the Snowflake entities to obtain financing
necessary to complete construction of the Snowflake biomass
power plant if required would have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations and
could result in our stockholders losing their entire investment.
The Worsleys are guarantors of cost overruns incurred in
connection with the construction of the Snowflake plant. Under
the Snowflake entities’ financing agreements, if the
Worsleys become bankrupt or insolvent, the Snowflake
entities’ lenders could declare an event of default and
declare existing loan funds immediately due, which would
materially and adversely affect the Snowflake entities’
business.
The
Snowflake entities have used approximately $50 million in
debt financing for the construction of the Snowflake plant, and
we anticipate we will incur additional debt financing in the
future in connection with the development, construction and
acquisition of additional renewable energy projects. Such debt
financing increases our risk profile and any default on such
financing likely would have a material adverse effect on
us.
The construction of the Snowflake plant has been financed in
part by the issuance of approximately $39 million of
industrial development bonds and by a credit facility with
CoBank of approximately $11 million. We will not have
sufficient funds to acquire or develop additional renewable
energy power plants without debt financing, unless we raise
additional equity. The financing secured by the Snowflake plant
contains, and any such additional debt financing may contain,
operating and financial restrictions and covenants that impose
operating and financial restrictions on us. Complying with these
covenants and restrictions may hamper or have a negative impact
on our business, results of operations and financial condition
by limiting our ability to engage in certain transactions or
activities, including: limiting our ability to incur additional
indebtedness, create liens or to issue guarantees; restricting
us from acquiring or developing additional renewable energy
projects; preventing us from selling assets; restricting us from
making cash distributions or paying dividends; limiting any
transactions with affiliates, including Mr. Worsley;
preventing us from issuing additional securities, including
stock; and preventing us from engaging in merger or acquisition
transactions.
Our ability to comply with any such covenants will be dependent
on our future performance, which will be subject to many
factors, some of which are beyond our control, including
prevailing economic conditions. As a result of these covenants,
our ability to respond to changes in business and economic
conditions and to obtain additional financing, if needed, may be
restricted, and we may be prevented from engaging in
transactions that might otherwise be beneficial to us, or in
declaring and paying dividends to our stockholders.
The
Snowflake entities must begin making principal payments under
their financing agreements with CoBank in October, 2008. If
certain milestones are not reached by June 30, 2008, the
entire principal amount of the Construction Loan and Renegy Term
Loan will be due and payable on that date. If such milestones
are achieved by June 30, 2008, the Construction Loan and
Renegy Term Loan will be payable over a six year period.
However, even in such loans are converted to term loans, the
Snowflake plant may not be generating any significant revenues
by June 2008 and thus the Snowflake entities will be required to
make such payments without revenue from significant revenue from
the plant.
The Snowflake entities have not had to pay principal on their
financing arrangements with CoBank as of the date of this filing
and interest payments to date have been made from borrowings
under such financing arrangements. There is no further source of
borrowings to make payments under such financing arrangements.
We are required to successfully complete the construction of the
plant and meet the other requirements of the CoBank financing
arrangements, including certification, confirmed by an
independent engineer, that commercial operation as defined by
the Arizona Public Service power purchase agreement and delivery
commencement date as defined in the Salt River Project power
purchase agreements have been achieved, by June 30, 2008,
or the current Construction Loan and Renegy Term Loan in the
amount of approximately $11 million cannot be converted to
term loans payable over a multi-year period and instead become
immediately due and payable on such date. Neither the Snowflake
entities nor we have the funds to repay such loans at that time.
If we are able to meet the June 30 milestone, the Snowflake
entities must begin making principal payments under their
financing agreements in October 2008 and pay such loans over an
approximately six year period. The Snowflake plant may not be
generating any significant revenue by October 31, 2008,
even if the June 30 milestone has been met. Thus, the
Snowflake entities may be required to make principal and
interest payments in October 2008
without significant revenue from the plant. If the Snowflake
entities have not converted the Construction Loan or Renegy Term
Loan to a six-year term loan by June 30, 2008, or if the
Snowflake entities do not have the funds to make payments on the
converted loans, then either we would be need to make the
necessary payments under the financing agreements from our
remaining funds, if any, or from borrowed funds, or if we or
they were unable or unwilling to provide such funding, the
Snowflake entities would be required to obtain substitute
financing to make payments under the Snowflake entities
financing agreements or the Snowflake entities would be required
to refinance their debt with their existing lenders. If no
financing from any source was available, then we would be
required to seek to sell the Snowflake plant under unfavorable
circumstances, and we may not be able to find a buyer for the
plant at a price to recover our investment in the plant or even
at a sufficient amount to repay the debt secured by the plant.
We cannot assure you that we will have the capacity to make the
necessary payments to cover any financing obligations which
arise or that the Snowflake entities would be able to obtain
substitute financing or that the Snowflake entities would be
able to refinance their debt with their existing lenders or that
we would be able to sell the plant at a favorable price or at
any price. Any inability to make required payments would result
in a default under the Snowflake entities’ financing
agreements and would likely have a material adverse effect on
our operations and could result in our stockholders losing their
entire investment.
If the
Snowflake entities default on their credit obligations relating
to the Snowflake plant, we could lose our entire investment in
the plant.
The Snowflake entities have borrowed approximately
$50 million to finance the construction of the Snowflake
plant. The Snowflake entities have in the past triggered
violations of the financing covenants. These violations have
related primarily to changes in the costs related to the
construction of the power plant, the entry into or termination
of certain material contracts related to the business of the
Snowflake entities and the construction of the plant, and the
timely delivery of financial statements to CoBank, all of which
have been waived by CoBank. Even if the Snowflake entities are
paying the principal and interest on its debt, if additional
violations occur in the future which are not waived by CoBank,
CoBank could declare a default and require the immediate payment
of the outstanding debt under the credit facilities and the
industrial development bonds and take possession of and
foreclose on the assets of the Snowflake entities including the
Snowflake plant. This would result in the loss of our entire
investment in the Snowflake plant and would have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations and could result in our stockholders losing their
entire investment. No assurance can be given that we can comply
with the terms of the financing arrangements and that defaults
will not occur.
Our
initial performance will be highly dependent on successfully
completing construction of the Snowflake plant and the other
requirements of the CoBank financing arrangements by
June 30, 2008, and commencing delivery of power to Arizona
Public Service by September 1, 2008 and Salt River Project
by October 1, 2008. If we fail to successfully complete the
construction of the plant and meet the other requirements of the
CoBank financing arrangements by June 30, 2008, the
Snowflake entities will be in breach of such arrangements and
CoBank may declare a default and accelerate the debt under the
financing arrangements and take possession of the Snowflake
plant if we do not repay such financing arrangements. If we fail
to commence delivery of power by the respective dates, the
Snowflake entities will be in breach of their power purchase
agreements and Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project
will be able to terminate their respective power purchase
agreements with the Snowflake entities, and this also would
result in a default under the financing arrangements and we
would risk losing our entire investment in the
plant.
We currently are constructing the Snowflake plant on land leased
from Abitibi at its paper mill located near Snowflake, Arizona.
Currently we have no other renewable energy projects under
construction and we have no agreement at this time to develop or
acquire any other renewable energy project, although we have
acquired a mothballed biomass power plant in Susanville,
California. Thus, the success of our renewable energy business
will initially be highly dependent on the completion, commercial
operation and performance of the Snowflake plant. If we cannot
successfully complete and operate the Snowflake plant, we will
be unlikely to generate sufficient cash flow or have sufficient
credibility with future potential lenders to construct or
acquire additional renewable energy projects.
The Snowflake entities have entered into various contracts with
third party contractors to construct the plant. There is no
overall EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) general
contractor, and the Snowflake entities are officially serving in
that capacity. As a result, there is no independent party that
is responsible and accountable for costs that exceed the CoBank
project cost budget or project delays. There have been a number
of delays and cost overruns in connection with the construction
of the Snowflake plant to date. Although there was a contingency
reserve for cost overruns as part of the project cost budget,
that reserve has been depleted, and we currently expect that the
final cost of the plant will exceed the original budget by
approximately $13.5 million.
The Snowflake entities must complete construction of the
Snowflake plant, including certification, confirmed by an
independent engineer, that commercial operation as defined by
the Arizona Public Service power purchase agreement and delivery
commencement date as defined in the Salt River Project power
purchase agreements have been achieved. If we fail to
successfully complete the construction of the plant and meet the
other requirements of the CoBank financing arrangements by
June 30, 2008, the Snowflake entities will be in breach of
such arrangements and the current Construction Loan and Renegy
Term Loan in the amount of approximately $11 million cannot
be converted to term loans payable over a multi-year period and
instead become immediately due and payable on such date. We do
not have the funds to repay such loans at that time. Further,
CoBank may declare a default and accelerate the debt under all
of the financing arrangements, including the Industrial
Development Bonds, and may elect to take possession of the
Snowflake plant. There can be no assurance that we will achieve
the necessary milestones by June 30, 2008 or that we can
obtain a waiver from CoBank if we do not meet such deadline. The
Snowflake entities also must complete construction of the plant,
achieve commercial operation and successfully deliver power to
Arizona Public Service by September 1, 2008 and Salt River
Project by October 1, 2008, in accordance with the terms of
the power purchase agreements with these parties. If the
Snowflake entities fail to timely complete the construction of
the plant and deliver power by such date in the quantities
required by the power purchase agreements, the Snowflake
entities will be in default under both the power purchase
agreements, and both Arizona Public Service and the Salt River
Project will be able to terminate the power purchase agreements
and seek damages against the Snowflake entities. This also would
cause a default under the financing arrangements with CoBank. In
such event, the Snowflake entities could be liable for
significant damages and could lose their entire investment in
the Snowflake plant, which would have a material adverse effect
on our business and financial condition, and could even result
in our need to cease operations. If the number and amount of
delays on various construction items that have occurred to date
were to continue, there is a substantial risk that the Snowflake
plant will not achieve commercial operation in the timeframe
required to meet its obligations under the power purchase
agreements or the financing arrangements. No assurance can be
given that the Snowflake entities will successfully complete the
Snowflake plant in the required time period to comply with the
terms of the power purchase agreements and the credit facilities
relating to the Snowflake plant.
The
Snowflake entities have granted security interests in the all of
their assets to their lenders as collateral for financing and
have entered into security agreements in connection with their
financing agreements. Also, we, as the owners of the Snowflake
entities’ membership interests, have pledged all of the
Snowflake entities’ membership interests to the Snowflake
entities’ lenders as collateral for
financing.
The Snowflake entities have granted security interests in all of
their assets to their lenders as collateral for financing and
have entered into security agreements with their lenders in
connection with their financing agreements. If the Snowflake
entities were to default under their financing agreements, their
lenders could foreclose on their assets and the Snowflake
entities could lose some or all of their assets, which could
have a material adverse effect on the Snowflake entities’
business, financial conditions and results of operations.
Additionally, as the owner of the Snowflake entities’
membership interests, we have pledged all of the Snowflake
entities’ membership interests to the Snowflake
entities’ lenders as collateral for financing. If the
Snowflake entities were to default under their financing
agreements, their lenders could foreclose on the membership
interests and take control of the Snowflake entities, which
would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The
power purchase agreements for the Snowflake plant are long-term
contracts and we must avoid defaults under these agreements in
order to service the debt on the Snowflake project and avoid
defaults under other agreements. Our future renewable energy
projects likely will be subject to long-term power purchase
agreements and similar terms and conditions.
Revenue paid to the Snowflake entities under the power purchase
agreements will be essential to service the debt on the
Snowflake plant. The power purchase agreements relating to the
Snowflake plant require the Snowflake entities to meet certain
performance criteria relating to amounts of energy production.
The failure of the Snowflake entities to satisfy these criteria
may subject them to claims for damages or termination of the
agreements. If such a termination were to occur, the Snowflake
entities would lose the cash flow related to the Snowflake plant
and would default on the debt related to the plant. Future
renewable energy projects likely will be subject to similar
power purchase agreements with specific energy production
requirements and to debt obligations. In such circumstances, a
default on a particular project would not only threaten the
investment in that particular project, but also could have an
adverse effect on our business and financial condition as a
whole. No assurance can be given that we will be able to perform
our obligations under any particular power purchase agreement,
including the power purchase agreements with Arizona Public
Service and Salt River Project, or that we can avoid
terminations under such agreements or damages related to any
such contract terminations.
The
power purchase agreements for the Snowflake plant are long-term
contracts which provide for a fixed rate purchase price, with
annual increases such that if our fuel and other costs increase
more than anticipated we may not have positive cash flow from
the operation of the plant. Our future renewable energy projects
likely will have long-term power purchase agreements with fixed
prices for sale of power and thus likely will subject us to the
same risk of unanticipated increases in fuel and other
costs.
The existing power purchase agreements relating to the Snowflake
plant are binding, long-term contracts that provide fixed prices
with annual increases for the sale of power to Arizona Public
Service and Salt River Project. Our business model assumes that
the sales price for such power under the power purchase
agreements will be greater than our costs of fuel and operation
of the Snowflake plant and payment of debt service, resulting in
a positive spread and thus positive cash flow from the operation
of the Snowflake plant. However, if the costs of obtaining wood
waste or other fuel or if operating costs for the Snowflake
plant increase more than we anticipate or if we are unable to
obtain paper mill sludge from the Abitibi paper mill, the
Snowflake plant may incur negative cash flow during some or all
periods of operation. If such negative cash flow were to occur,
it would have a material adverse effect on our business and
financial condition. Future renewable energy projects likely
will have power purchase agreements with fixed sales prices for
power production, and thus we will likely be subject to similar
risks on these future projects.
Our
power purchase agreement with Salt River Project contains an
availability requirement that mandates operation of
Snowflake’s plant during each year for a period of time
that is equal to approximately 90% of each year.
If we fail to operate the Snowflake power plant for a period of
time that is equal to approximately 90% of each year during the
term of its power purchase agreement with Salt River Project, we
will be in default of the agreement. Although we believe that
the Snowflake plant will be online for approximately 90% of each
year, we cannot be certain that a force majeure event or any
other cause will result in the plant failing to produce
electricity for approximately 90% of each year. Further, during
initial operations, there may be various
start-up
issues which increase the risk that the power plant may not be
online for approximately 90% during the first year.
We
have agreed to indemnify the Worsleys for any claims arising
under their guarantee to Salt River Project relating to the
payment of all sums owed by Snowflake to Salt River Project
under its power purchase agreement with Snowflake and for
maintaining a net worth of at least $35 million. If
Snowflake fails to deliver power to Salt River Project resulting
in monetary liability to Salt River Project under the power
purchase agreement, we will be required to pay such sums to Salt
River Project. If the Worsleys’ net worth falls below
$35 million, we may also become subject to liability to
Salt River Project.
In connection with the power purchase agreement with Salt River
Project, the Worsleys have entered into a personal guaranty
agreement in favor of Salt River Project. The guaranty provides
that the Worsleys guarantee the punctual payment when due of all
sums of money (including any damages) owed by Snowflake to Salt
River Project under the power purchase agreement with Salt River
Project. Thus, if the Snowflake plant fails to deliver power to
Salt River Project under the terms of the power purchase
agreement resulting in monetary liability to Salt River Project
and Snowflake cannot satisfy such claim, then we will be
required to indemnify the Worsleys for any claim against them
resulting from such claim. This means that a claim that might
otherwise be limited to Snowflake may expose us to liability to
Salt River Project under the guaranty. The guaranty also
provides that the Worsleys must maintain a minimum net worth of
$35 million. If the Worsley fails to maintain such minimum
net worth, then we will be required to indemnify them for any
damages resulting from the guaranty to Salt River Project.
Although we believe the Worsleys’ net worth is
significantly greater than $35 million, no assurance can be
given that they will maintain a net worth of at least
$35 million over the term of Snowflake’s power
purchase agreement with Salt River Project.
The
existence of a prolonged force majeure event affecting the
Snowflake biomass power plant could prohibit the Snowflake
entities from performing under their power purchase agreements
with their power purchase customers. The existence of a force
majeure event affecting the transmission systems of the relevant
power purchasers could reduce the Snowflake entities’
future net income and materially and adversely affect the
Snowflake entities’ business, financial condition, future
results and cash flow.
The operation of the Snowflake biomass power plant is subject to
a variety of risks discussed elsewhere in these risk factors,
including force majeure events such as fires, explosions,
earthquakes, landslides, floods, severe storms or other similar
events.
If the biomass power plant experiences an occurrence resulting
in a force majeure event, Snowflake would be excused from its
obligations under the relevant power purchase agreements.
However, the relevant power purchaser may not be required to
make any capacity
and/or
energy payments so long as the force majeure event continues
and, pursuant to the power purchase agreements, they may have
the right to prematurely terminate the applicable power purchase
agreement. As a consequence, the Snowflake entities may not
receive any net revenues from the biomass power plant other than
proceeds from any business interruption insurance that applies
to the force majeure event or forced outage after the relevant
waiting period. Accordingly, the Snowflake entities’
business, financial condition, future results and cash flows
could be materially and adversely affected. If the transmission
system of the relevant power purchasers experiences a force
majeure event which prevents it from transmitting the
electricity from the Snowflake biomass power plant, the relevant
power purchaser may not be required to make energy payments for
such non-delivered electricity and may not be required to make
any capacity payments due subsequent to the force majeure event
for as long as such force majeure event continues. The impact of
such force majeure event would depend on the duration of the
event, with longer outages resulting in greater revenue loss.
The
Snowflake entities are engaged in wood waste harvesting which
exposes them to risks, including liability risks, the risk of
fire in wood waste fuel, and other unanticipated
expenses.
Two of the Snowflake entities, Renegy LLC and Renegy Trucking,
are involved in wood waste harvesting, principally by removing
small trees and forest thinnings from forests located within a
75 mile radius from the Snowflake plant, and the storage of
such wood waste. Renegy LLC and Renegy Trucking own or lease
trucks for such purposes and operate a sawmill to cut the trees
into wood fuel chips for use as fuel for the plant. These
business activities involve significant risks, including the
risks of accidents involving trucks causing injuries to third
parties and the risk of significant injuries to employees.
The storage of logs and wood chips at the Snowflake plant site
also involves significant risks, including the risk that such
wood waste fuel will catch on fire and cause property damage or
injury to third parties or employees. In particular, the wood
chip piles are subject to a risk of combustion because of the
moisture that resides in the wood chips and the evaporation of
the moisture which creates heat that can ignite a fire. Further,
it is often very windy at the Snowflake plant site, which
increases the risk that a small or simmering fire in one wood
chip pile can spread to other wood chip piles. To date, there
have been two fires in the wood chip fuel storage piles at the
Snowflake plant that resulted in fire spreading to uncut logs
and wood chip piles stored on the site and which caused
extensive damage to the wood fuel supply and some equipment. The
cause of the fires was spontaneous combustion created by
pressure generated by the weight of the piles, high winds and
the natural moisture ground in the wood chips. In each fire,
high winds forced oxygen into the piles generating sufficient
heat to begin combustion and exacerbated the fire by spreading
it to other wood chip and log piles. The first fire, in April
2007, destroyed approximately 20,000 tons of wood chips. The
value of the lost wood chips and the costs incurred fighting the
fire amounted to approximately $663,000. The most recent fire,
in June 2007, resulted in a loss of approximately
12-15 months
of wood fuel supply as well as damage to equipment used by
Renegy LLC. To mitigate the risk of future fires and fire
damage, the Snowflake entities have geographically separated the
biomass stored for fuel so that a fire incident is less likely
to spread among fuel storage piles as it did in the June 2007
fire incident. However, no assurance can be given as to the
likelihood of significant fires in the future, or future damage
to the stored wood fuel from any future fire.
Since the fires, the Snowflake entities successfully negotiated
to modify the fuel stockpile requirements under their financing
arrangements as described elsewhere in these risk factors. Due
to an under-insurance issue that was discovered during the
settlement process between the Snowflake entities and their
insurer, insurance covered only approximately $361,000 of the
costs associated with the first fire. After the first fire, this
under-insurance issue was corrected. The Snowflake entities
received payment of approximately $3.0 million for the June
2007 fire. Although the Snowflake entities plan to seek to
maintain insurance for such business activities, such insurance
may not be sufficient to cover all potential claims, may be
cancelled by its insurer in the event of future fires or may not
be renewed, and the making of these claims may make it difficult
or impossible to cost-effectively retain insurance for damage or
destruction to such stored fuel. In addition, Renegy LLC and
Renegy Trucking have a significant number of employees who
perform the work necessary to harvest the necessary wood waste
and operate the sawmill, and the costs of labor could increase.
Such an increase also would impact the cost of obtaining the
wood waste, and therefore could negatively impact the
profitability, if any, of the Snowflake plant.
The
Snowflake plant will need to continually obtain forest thinning
and woody waste materials to provide fuel for the plant. The
cost of obtaining this wood waste may increase, or the wood
waste may become unavailable, and this could materially
adversely affect the profitability of the plant.
Approximately 50% by weight and 75% by BTUs of the fuel for the
Snowflake plant will come from wood waste. This wood waste
principally consists of small trees derived from forest thinning
projects and similar wood waste material harvested from forests
located within approximately a 75 mile radius from the
plant. Two of the Snowflake entities, Renegy LLC and Renegy
Trucking, have been removing this wood waste from the
surrounding forests pursuant to various contracts with the
United States Forest Service and other third parties. The
Snowflake entities’ financing arrangements currently
require the Snowflake entities to maintain a
21/2 year
availability of fuel (other than paper sludge) either on the
plant site or available from counterparties under contract,
provided that at least a one year stockpile of such
21/2 year
availability of fuel (other than paper sludge) is on the plant
site at all times. Although the Snowflake entities believe
procuring and storing one year’s worth of fuel will be
achievable, the cost of obtaining wood waste could increase in
the future, or wood waste could become unavailable, because of
changes in government regulation limiting or even preventing the
removal of wood waste from forests, competition from third
parties seeking to use the wood waste for their own energy
plants or for other purposes, such as commercial sales of the
wood waste, and the cost of gathering and removing wood waste,
such as trucking and employee costs. No assurance can be given
as to the availability or cost of obtaining wood waste in the
future. If the cost of wood waste were to significantly
increase, this could prevent the Snowflake plant from achieving
or maintaining profitability. Furthermore, if wood waste were to
become prohibitively expensive or unavailable, the Snowflake
entities may not be able to profitably operate the Snowflake
plant and it may be shut down resulting in the loss of our
entire investment in the plant.
If we
are unable to procure and maintain fuel supplies that are
sufficient for the operation of the Snowflake plant could result
in a default under the Snowflake entities’ financing
agreements.
Under their financing agreements, the Snowflake entities are
required to procure specified amounts of fuel supplies by
certain dates. Other than Abitibi, Renegy LLC is the Snowflake
entities’ sole supplier of fuel supplies, and is dependent
upon contracts with third parties to procure fuel supplies.
Renegy Trucking is solely responsible for receiving and
delivering fuel supplies from Renegy LLC to Snowflake. Renegy
LLC’s ability to procure the required amounts of fuel
supplies is dependent on the availability of large quantities of
forest thinnings, wood chips and other organic waste resources.
Demand from other fuel purchasers, labor shortages, inclement
weather, fires and other events beyond the Snowflake
entities’ control could impede or prohibit entirely Renegy
LLC’s ability to timely procure fuel supplies, Renegy
Trucking’s ability to timely deliver fuel supplies to
Snowflake and Snowflake’s ability to maintain the requisite
fuel supplies. Following two recent fires in the wood chip
storage piles at the Snowflake plant, the Snowflake entities
have geographically separated the biomass stored for fuel to
mitigate the risk of future fires and fire damage and to ensure
a fire incident is less likely to spread among fuel storage
piles as it did in the June 2007 fire incident. The CoBank
financing arrangements previously required the Snowflake
entities to have a
21/2 years’
supply of fuel by the start of the operation of the Snowflake
plant. The Snowflake entities successfully negotiated to modify
the fuel stockpile requirements under their financing
arrangements. The Snowflake entities’ financing
arrangements now require the Snowflake entities to maintain a
21/2 year
availability of fuel (other than paper sludge) either on the
plant site or available from counterparties under contract,
provided that at least a one year stockpile of such
21/2 year
availability of fuel (other than paper sludge) is on the plant
site at all times. In addition to reducing the risk of
spontaneous fires, keeping a smaller amount of fuel supply on
hand will render future fires more manageable and limit the
amount of losses for any particular fire. However, lowering the
amount of stored fuel may decrease the Snowflake entities’
ability to maintain fuel supply sufficient for the operation of
the Snowflake plant and, in any event the Snowflake entities may
not be able to comply with the modified fuel storage
requirements. Failure to comply would result in a default under
the Snowflake entities’ financing agreements. No assurance
can be given that the Snowflake entities will continue meeting
the requirements of their financing agreements and power
purchase agreements to procure the specified amounts of fuel
supplies by the required dates.
Many
of the risks of our business, including the risk of fire, have
only limited insurance coverage and many of our business risks
are uninsurable.
Our business operations are subject to potential environmental,
fire, product liability, employee and other risks. Although we
have insurance to cover some of these risks, the amount of this
insurance is limited and includes numerous exceptions and
limitations to coverage. Further, no insurance is available to
cover certain types of risks, such as acts of god, war,
terrorism, major economic and business disruptions and similar
events. Moreover, we have been unable to obtain insurance for
machinery breakdown during testing and commissioning of the
Snowflake plant or for any resulting delay that may be incurred
during the
start-up
phase. As a result, if there is damage to the Snowflake plant
during such testing and commissioning, there may not be
insurance to cover such losses and there may not be sufficient
funds to complete the construction of the plant. Further, any
damage to the plant during testing likely would result in a
delay in the completion of the plant for which there currently
is no insurance coverage. Any such uninsured loss likely would
result in a material adverse effect on our business and
financial condition. In addition, our insurance will not be
adequate to cover lost revenues, increased expenses or
liquidated damages payments. In the event we were to suffer a
significant construction, testing, environmental, fire, product
liability, employee or other claim in excess of our insurance or
a loss or damages relating to an uninsurable risk, our financial
condition could be negatively impacted. The fuel source we use
for our biomass plant is subject to substantial fire risk. In
addition, the cost of our insurance has increased substantially
in recent years and may prove to be prohibitively expensive,
thus making it impractical to obtain insurance. This may result
in the need to abandon certain business activities or subject
ourselves to the risks of uninsured operations. Moreover, to the
extent we make insurance claims, we risk not being able to renew
insurance policies at reasonable rates or at all. In this
regard, two recent fires in the wood chip fuel storage piles at
the Snowflake plant have resulted in a substantial loss of wood
biomass fuel and significant insurance claims. Additionally, the
Snowflake entities have fuel supply contracts in place that,
once acted under by the Snowflake entities, will provide at
least an additional one-year supply of fuel. Also, to mitigate
the risk of future fires and fire damage, the Snowflake entities
have geographically separated the
biomass stored for fuel so that a fire incident is less likely
to spread among fuel storage piles as it did in the June 2007
fire incident. Despite these changes, we cannot be certain that
the Snowflake entities’ insurer or any other insurer will
provide fire insurance upon the expiration of the current policy
in April 2008, or that even if such insurance is available, it
will not be cost prohibitive to obtain insurance for damage or
destruction to the stored fuel. If the Snowflake entities are
unable to obtain such insurance, there could be a default under
the Snowflake entities’ financing arrangements. Certain of
our insurance policies with respect to the Snowflake entities
currently overlap with other companies owned by affiliates of
the Worsley Trust. Thus, a claim by any of such affiliates will
reduce the coverage available to the Snowflake entities, thus
increasing the risk of an uninsured claim.
Exposure
to fuel supply prices may affect our costs and results of
operations for our renewable energy projects.
We do not have long-term, fixed-price fuel supply agreements.
Changes in the market prices and availability of fuel supplies
to generate electricity may increase our cost of producing power
at the Snowflake plant or at our future renewable energy
projects, which could adversely impact our energy business’
profitability and financial performance.
The market prices and availability of fuel supplies for our
renewable energy facilities is likely to be subject to
significant market fluctuation. Any price increase, delivery
disruption or reduction in the availability of such supplies
could affect our ability to operate the facilities and impair
their cash flow and profitability. We may be subject to further
exposure if any of our operations are concentrated in facilities
using fuel types subject to fluctuating market prices and
availability, such as wood waste and sludge. Increased
competition for fuel supplies from alternative uses, such as for
biofuels, may increase the costs of obtaining fuel supplies.
Further, even if fuel is available on a cost-effective basis, we
may not be able to maintain access to fuel as a result of
changes in government regulation or competition from other
sources. We may not be successful in our efforts to mitigate our
exposure to fuel supply, availability and price swings.
Possible
fluctuations in the cost of construction and raw materials may
materially and adversely affect the Snowflake entities’
business, financial condition, future results and cash
flow.
The construction of the Snowflake plant and any future biomass
power facilities is dependent upon the supply of various raw
materials, including steel and copper, and on the supply of
various industrial equipment components. We or our contractors
currently obtain such materials and equipment at prevailing
market prices. Future cost increases of such raw materials and
equipment could cause delay or stoppage of construction, and
consequently could lead to a default under the Snowflake
entities’ or other future financing agreements due to the
failure to timely complete construction.
Development,
construction and operation of new renewable energy projects may
not commence as scheduled, or at all.
The development and construction of new renewable energy
facilities involves many risks including siting, obtaining
financing, permitting, securing fuel supply and power off-take
agreements, financing and construction delays and expenses,
start-up
problems, the breakdown of equipment and performance below
expected levels of output and efficiency. New facilities have no
operating history and may employ recently developed technology
and equipment. We will seek to maintain insurance to protect
against risks relating to the construction of new projects;
however, such insurance may not be adequate to cover lost
revenues or increased expenses. As a result, a new facility may
be unable to fund principal and interest payments under its debt
service obligations or may operate at a loss. In certain
situations, if a facility fails to achieve commercial operation,
at certain levels or at all, termination rights in the
agreements governing the facility’s financing may be
triggered, rendering all of the facility’s debt immediately
due and payable. As a result, the facility may be rendered
insolvent and we may lose our interest in the facility.
We may
face increased risk of market influences on our revenues after
power purchase agreements expire.
The Snowflake entities’ two existing long-term power
purchase agreements relating to the Snowflake plant expire in
2023 and 2028, respectively. In general, we intend to enter into
long-term power purchase agreements with respect to the
renewable energy plants we develop or acquire. However, when
such contracts expire, or if such contracts are terminated prior
to expiration because of a performance default or otherwise, we
will become subject to market risk in entering into new or
replacement contracts at pricing levels which may not generate
comparable or enhanced revenues. As such agreements expire or
terminate, we will seek to enter into renewal or replacement
contracts to continue operating such projects. However, no
assurance can be given that we will be able to enter into
renewal or replacement contracts on terms favorable to us. The
expiration of any such contract would require us to sell project
energy output either into the electricity grid or pursuant to
new contracts.
Our
renewable energy business will depend on performance by third
parties under contractual arrangements.
Our renewable energy business will depend on a limited number of
third parties to, among other things, purchase the energy
produced by our future facilities, and supply and deliver the
fuel and other goods and services necessary for the operation of
our energy facilities. The viability of our future facilities
will depend significantly upon the performance by third parties
in accordance with long-term contracts, and such performance
depends on factors which may be beyond our control. For example,
the Snowflake plant will depend on Arizona Public Service and
the Salt River Project for the purchase of power, and Abitibi or
the future owner of the Abitibi paper mill for the operation of
the plant and providing paper mill sludge for fuel. If those
third parties do not perform their obligations, or are excused
from performing their obligations because of nonperformance by
our energy business or other parties to the contracts, or due to
force majeure events or changes in laws or regulations, our
business may not be able to secure alternate arrangements on
substantially the same terms, if at all, for the services
provided under the contracts. In addition, the bankruptcy or
insolvency of a participant or third party in our future
facilities could result in nonpayment or nonperformance of that
party’s obligations to us.
Failure
to obtain regulatory approvals or comply with environmental laws
or other regulations could adversely affect our
operations.
Our renewable energy business will be continually in the process
of obtaining, renewing or complying with federal, state and
local approvals required to operate our facilities. These
include construction and operating permits, environmental
approvals and permits, including those relating to air
emissions, water use and discharges, waste disposal, and FERC
and state utility regulatory requirements. We may not always be
able to obtain all required regulatory approvals, and we may not
be able to obtain any necessary modifications to existing
regulatory approvals or maintain all required regulatory
approvals. If there is a delay in obtaining any required
regulatory approvals, or if we fail to comply with regulatory
approvals that we have obtained, the operation of our facilities
or the sale of electricity to third parties could be prevented,
made subject to additional regulation, or subject our renewable
energy business to additional costs (including through the
assessment of penalties) or a decrease in revenue.
Costs
of compliance with environmental regulations could adversely
affect our financial performance.
Costs of compliance with federal, state and local existing and
future environmental regulations, including emission control and
similar requirements, could adversely affect our cash flow and
profitability. Our renewable energy business will be subject to
extensive environmental regulation by federal, state and local
authorities, primarily relating to air, waste (including
residual ash from combustion and other potentially toxic
emissions) and water. We will be required to comply with
numerous environmental laws and regulations and to obtain
numerous governmental permits in operating our facilities. Our
business may incur significant additional costs to comply with
these requirements. Environmental regulations may also limit our
ability to operate the Snowflake plant or our future facilities
at maximum capacity or at all. If our business fails to comply
with these requirements, we could be subject to civil or
criminal liability, damages and fines. Existing environmental
regulations could be revised or reinterpreted and new laws and
regulations could be adopted or become applicable to the
Snowflake plant or our
future facilities, and future changes in environmental laws and
regulations could occur. This may materially increase the amount
we must invest to bring our facilities into compliance. In
addition, lawsuits or enforcement actions by federal
and/or state
regulatory agencies may materially increase our costs. Stricter
environmental regulation of air emissions, solid waste handling
or combustion, residual ash handling and disposal, and waste
water discharge could materially affect our cash flow and
profitability. Certain environmental laws make us potentially
liable on a joint and several basis for the remediation of
contamination at or emanating from properties or facilities we
own or lease, or at other facilities where we may dispose of
wastes. Such liability is not necessarily limited to the cleanup
of any contamination we may actually cause. Although we seek to
obtain indemnities against liabilities relating to historical
contamination at the facilities we own, lease or operate, we
cannot provide any assurance that we will not incur liability
relating to the remediation of contamination, including
contamination we did not cause.
With respect to the Snowflake plant, Snowflake is relying on
Abitibi to amend certain of Abitibi’s existing state
environmental permits in a manner that will permit Snowflake to
operate its power plant. Although Abitibi has obtained these
permits, the sale of the Abitibi paper mill to Catalyst Paper
may impact these permits. If Catalyst Paper is unable to
maintain the permits, the operation of Snowflake’s power
plant could be jeopardized or become subject to additional
costs, and the Snowflake entities may be in a default under
their financing agreements.
As an
eventual producer of electricity, the Snowflake plant and other
future biomass power plants may become subject to regulations,
taxes, and litigation related to greenhouse gas
emissions.
As a power plant producing electricity from the combustion of
biomass, the Snowflake plant will qualify as a renewable energy
facility under the rules and regulations recently adopted by the
Arizona Corporation Commission. While the Snowflake biomass
power plant will produce and emit into the atmosphere carbon
dioxide and potentially other greenhouse gas emissions, its use
of biomass from forest thinnings, woody waste material, recycled
paper sludge, and other renewable products derived from wood or
other plants or plant materials involves actions that mitigate
the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As a result
of the attributes of this fuel cycle and fuel combustion
process, producing power from biomass is generally considered
not to be a source of greenhouse gas emissions. The Snowflake
biomass power plant may be subject to future federal or state
legislation or regulation, or the implementation of
international treaties, which seek to limit or impose taxes or
other costs on emitters of carbon
and/or other
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Facilities that use
biomass to produce electricity may be subject to statutory or
regulatory or other policy changes affecting those power
production facilities and fuels that qualify for exemptions from
or are otherwise not subject to such governmental policies
affecting control of emissions from the Snowflake plant or costs
related to its operation. In addition, private plaintiffs, as
well as various governmental entities, have sued emitters of
certain greenhouse gases on various theories of liability for
harms caused by such emissions. It is possible that, as an
emitter of particular greenhouse gases, we or the Snowflake
entities could become defendants in similar litigation. Any of
the foregoing could adversely affect the results of operations
of the Snowflake plant.
We
will be subject to the risk associated with the nature of and
changes in governmental laws, regulations, policies and
actions.
Our business will be significantly dependent on the nature and
level of government regulation of energy, environmental
standards and emissions, public lands and natural resource
management, and utilities. Our fuel sources, our ability to sell
power from our power production from biomass resources, our
ability to transmission power from our power production
facilitates, the market prices for and revenues from the power
we produce, our costs to mitigate emissions and other
environmental impacts from our production facilities, and
various other costs associated with our operations and ownership
of assets will be affected by laws, regulations, policies and
other actions of federal, state and local governments. Our
business model assumes that some combination of such
governmental requirements will remain in effect and that such
governmental regulation will provide an economic benefit to our
business, but no assurance can be given that this assumption is
correct.
Without recent government requirements, such as state renewable
energy standards, affecting the demand for electricity produced
by renewable resources, there likely would be far less demand
for the power produced by the Snowflake plant or other renewable
energy projects which we will seek to develop
and/or
acquire. Such government
requirements may change in the future in ways that adversely
affect the market for power from renewable energy
power-production facilities. In that event, our renewable energy
business may no longer be viable.
Further, other changes in government policy, statutes and
regulations could materially and adversely affect the costs of
operations of power plants that use renewable energy; these
include tax and other subsidies (including production tax
credits, accelerated depreciation rules, property tax
abatements, among others) that positively affect the production
of power from renewable energy facilities; adverse
interpretations of governmental accounting or tax policies;
changes in regulation of emissions or discharges or natural
resource inputs associated with power plants using biomass;
changes in forestry management practices that reduce the
availability or access to biomass fuels or that increase their
cost; and other changes in government energy, environmental and
similar requirements. Although government regulation of
emissions has become increasingly stringent in recent years, the
growing costs associated with such regulations may limit the
level of increase and scope of emissions requirements, which
could limit the potential growth of our target markets. Any
easing of governmental emissions requirements or the growth rate
of such requirements could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
Government laws, regulations, policies and decisions affecting
the regulation of energy, the providers of electric utility
service, the prices and other attributes associated with power
sold in interstate commerce and in retail sales, the procurement
of and recovery of costs associated with power sold by suppliers
of electricity generated by renewable fuels, the transmission of
power from power plants, the siting and permitting of power
production facilities, the financing of renewable project
through public funds, and other actions could materially and
adversely affect our business. Such potential governmental
actors may include federal government agencies and department
(including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(“FERC”), the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the Department of Commerce, the Internal Revenue
Service, other federal government organizations; state public
utility commissions, state energy offices, state renewable
energy offices, environmental permitting agencies, natural
resource management agencies, and other state agencies; and
various local or regional government entities). The actions of
such governmental entities may affect our business directly, or
indirectly through affecting other parties with whom we seek to
contract, obtain approvals, gain access to necessary facilities,
resources or other inputs to our business, join into ownership
and/or other
business relationships, and other important business matters. We
can predict neither whether federal, state or local governments
will modify or adopt new legislation or regulation relating to
the energy industry, nor how governments will exercise their
discretion in ways that may adversely and materially affect our
business. The economics, including the costs, of operating the
Snowflake plant or our future facilities may be adversely
affected by any changes in these regulations or in their
interpretation or implementation or any future inability to
comply with existing or future regulations or requirements.
Concentration
of suppliers and customers may expose us to heightened financial
exposure.
Our renewable energy business may rely on single suppliers and
single customers at Snowflake and our future facilities,
exposing such facilities to financial risks if any supplier or
customer should fail to perform its obligations.
For example, the Snowflake plant will rely on Abitibi or future
owner of the paper mill in Snowflake as a source of paper mill
sludge for fuel and for the operation and maintenance of the
Snowflake plant after construction. Other renewable energy
projects may rely on a single supplier to provide fuel, water
and other services required to operate a facility and on a
single customer or a few customers to purchase all or a
significant portion of a facility’s output. In most cases
we will seek to have long-term agreements with such suppliers
and customers in order to mitigate the risk of supply
interruption. The financial performance of these facilities
depends on such customers and suppliers continuing to perform
their obligations under their long-term agreements. A
facility’s financial results could be materially and
adversely affected if any one customer or supplier fails to
fulfill its contractual obligations and we are unable to find
other customers or suppliers to produce the same level of
revenues. We cannot assure you that such performance failures by
third parties will not occur, or that if they do occur, that
such failures will not adversely affect the cash flows or
profitability of our business.
Under the terms of their financing agreements, the Snowflake
entities are required to procure and maintain specified amounts
of fuel supplies by certain dates and to have in place power
purchase agreements for the sale of the Snowflake biomass power
plant’s output.
Snowflake has power purchase agreements with Arizona Public
Service and Salt River Project to purchase all or a significant
portion of the biomass power plant’s output or capacity.
Snowflake has mitigated the risk of the biomass power
plant’s output not being purchased by entering into
long-term agreements with these two customers. However,
Snowflake’s future financial performance will be dependent
upon the performance by Arizona Public Service and Salt River
Project of their respective obligations under the long-term
power purchase agreements. We cannot assure you that such
performance failures will not occur or that if they do occur,
such failures will not adversely affect Snowflake’s
financial performance.
We
will be subject to intense competition in the renewable energy
business by competitors with substantially greater resources
and/or more cost-effective technology.
Our plan to grow our renewable energy business by developing and
acquiring renewable energy projects will be subject to intense
competition from other parties with substantially greater
resources than ours seeking to develop or acquire such projects.
This will include large public companies with significantly
greater resources, other independent power producers, and public
utility companies which may choose to directly develop renewable
energy projects as opposed to purchasing power from owners of
such projects, private equity investors and various municipal
and other governmental authorities which may develop their own
renewable energy projects. We may not be able to respond in a
timely or effective manner to any changes in the energy industry
in both domestic and international markets. These changes may
include deregulation of the electric utility industry in some
markets, privatization of the electric utility industry in other
markets and increasing competition in all markets. To the extent
competitive pressures increase and the pricing and sale of
electricity assumes more characteristics of a commodity
business, the economics of our business may come under
increasing pressure. It also is possible that our competitors
will be able to provide renewable energy from biomass with more
cost-effective technology and thus may be able to offer such
power to purchasers at more attractive prices, or that our
competitors will employ wind, solar, geothermal or other
renewable energy technologies that are more cost-effective than
the technology we can own and deploy.
We
have no intellectual property protection in our renewable energy
business.
Our renewable energy business has no intellectual property
protection. We have no patents or trade secrets which provide us
a competitive advantage over any other party. Thus, anyone can
compete against us, including a number of parties with
substantially greater resources.
Changes
in technology may have a material adverse effect on our
profitability.
Research and development activities are ongoing to provide
alternative and more efficient technologies to produce power. It
is possible that advances in these or other technologies will
reduce the cost of power production from these technologies to a
level below our costs. Further, increased conservation efforts
could reduce the demand for power or reduce the value of the
Snowflake plant or our facilities. Any of these changes could
have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability.
We
recently completed the combination of Catalytica Energy Systems
with the Snowflake entities and integration issues remain, which
may adversely affect our operations.
On October 1, 2007, we completed the Merger Transaction
whereby Catalytica combined its business with the Snowflake
entities and Catalytica and the Snowflake entities became our
wholly-owned subsidiaries. Realizing the benefits of the
transaction and achieving our business objectives will depend in
part on the successful integration of the businesses and
personnel. This is a time-consuming and expensive process that
could significantly disrupt our business. The challenges
involved in this integration include the following: minimizing
the diversion of management attention from ongoing business
concerns, preserving customer, manufacturing, supplier and other
important relationships of both Catalytica and the Snowflake
entities and resolving potential conflicts that may arise,
addressing differences in the business cultures of Catalytica
and the Snowflake entities, maintaining employee morale and
retaining key employees. We may not successfully integrate the
operations of Catalytica and the Snowflake entities in a timely
manner, or at all, and we may not realize the anticipated
benefits of the transaction to the extent, or in the timeframe,
anticipated. The anticipated benefits of the transaction are
based on projections and
assumptions, not actual experience, and there can be no
assurance that the transaction will have a beneficial effect on
our short or long-term business objectives.
We may
be subject to indemnification claims from Worsley for breaches
of representations and warranties and covenants in the
contribution and merger agreement. If such claims were to be
successful, stockholders could suffer a significant further
dilution in ownership.
The Contribution and Merger Agreement provides that Worsley on
the one hand, and Catalytica and us, on the other, will
indemnify each other against breaches of, or the failure to
perform or satisfy any of, their respective representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements made in the Contribution
and Merger Agreement or in any document or certificate delivered
by any of them at the closing pursuant to the Contribution and
Merger Agreement. The respective indemnification obligations of
the parties generally survive until April 1, 2009 and are
generally subject to a deductible of $250,000 and a cap of
$10 million. In addition, amounts paid to Worsley on
account of indemnification are subject to a “gross up”
to reflect Worsley’s approximately 58.7% ownership of our
common stock as of the closing of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement on October 1, 2007, which means that for every $1
of damages, we will be required to pay Worsley an amount equal
to $1.41. Payment of indemnification may be generally satisfied
in cash or in stock at an agreed value of $12.25 per share. If
any potential indemnification claim arises against Worsley, the
three independent Class III directors will be responsible
for determining how to proceed with any such claim, which may
present problems insofar as conflicts arise between
Class III directors and Mr. Worsley, our President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. In addition, any
successful indemnification claims by Worsley against us would
increase Worsley’s ownership of our common stock and reduce
the ownership of our common stock by other stockholders or
significantly reduce our cash if we elect to settle any such
claim by paying cash in lieu of issuing additional stock. Any
claims we may have against Worsley could increase the ownership
of our stock by stockholders other than Worsley. However, such
claims likely will result from situations where we have suffered
economic harm and thus the overall value of our stock may be
reduced. Further, any indemnification claims likely will result
in substantial legal and other fees which could have a material
adverse effect on us.
The
use of our net operating loss carryforwards is severely limited
because of the change in control that occurred in the
transaction.
Catalytica has significant net operating loss carryforwards, or
NOLs, from its prior operations. These NOLs expire commencing in
2020 and continuing through 2027. However, we likely will not be
able to use any significant amount of such NOLs to offset any
potential income taxes in the future because the transaction
resulted in an ownership change under the Internal Revenue Code
and because of the nature of Catalytica’s assets and
certain other factors. Thus, if we become profitable, in general
we will only be able to employ a nominal amount of
Catalytica’s NOLs per year to apply against profits to
reduce any potential income taxes. Further, use of
Catalytica’s NOLs may potentially be subject to additional
limits resulting from ownership changes that occurred prior to
the proposed transaction. No assurance can be given that we will
in fact be profitable such that we will be able to use the NOLs.
Our
anticipated rapid growth strategy could strain our resources and
cause our business to suffer.
We anticipate pursuing a rapid growth strategy to expand our
renewable energy plant portfolio, currently consisting of the
Snowflake plant and a mothballed power plant in Susanville,
California, through acquisition of additional renewable energy
plants and the development and construction of such plants. This
growth strategy will place a strain on our management systems,
infrastructure and resources. Our ability to successfully offer
services and implement our business plan in a rapidly evolving
market requires an effective planning and management process. We
expect that we will need to continue to improve our financial
and managerial controls, reporting systems and procedures. We
will also need to expand, train and manage our workforce.
Further, we expect that we will be required to manage an
increasing number of relationships with various customers and
other third parties. Failure to expand in any of the foregoing
areas efficiently and effectively could interfere with the
growth of our business as a whole.
Our
growth strategy includes the development and construction of new
biomass to electricity power projects, which will require us to
incur significant costs in business development, often over
extended periods of time, with no assurance of
success.
Our efforts to grow our renewable energy business will depend in
part on how successful we are in developing new biomass to
electricity projects and / or expanding existing ones.
The development period for each project may occur over several
years, during which we may incur substantial expenses relating
to siting, design, permitting, community relations, financing
and professional fees associated with all of the foregoing,
during which we may not realize any return. Not all of our
development efforts will be successful, and we may decide to
cease developing a project for a variety of reasons. If the
cessation of our development efforts were to occur at an
advanced stage of development, we may have incurred a material
amount of expenses for which we will realize no return.
A
failure to identify suitable renewable energy acquisition
candidates and to complete acquisitions could have an adverse
effect on our business strategy and growth plans.
As part of our business strategy, we intend to continue to
pursue acquisitions of existing renewable energy plants.
Although we will regularly evaluate acquisition opportunities,
we may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition
candidates, including identifying necessary fuel and
transmission facilities, or obtaining sufficient financing on
acceptable terms to fund acquisitions, if at all, or complete
acquisitions.
We
incur substantial costs as a result of being a public
company.
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting, and
other expenses. In addition, both the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
and the rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ
have required changes in corporate governance practices of
public companies. These new rules and regulations have already
increased our legal and financial compliance costs and the
amount of time and effort we devote to compliance activities. We
expect these rules and regulations to further increase our legal
and financial compliance costs and to make compliance and other
activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition, we incur
costs associated with our public company reporting requirements.
Further, due to increased regulations, it may be more difficult
for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our
board of directors or as executive officers. We have attempted
to address some of these attraction and retention issues by
offering contractual indemnification agreements to our directors
and executive officers, but this may not be sufficient. We will
continue to regularly monitor and evaluate developments with
respect to these new rules with our legal counsel, but we cannot
predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur
or the timing of such costs.
The
market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile
and may decline.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly
volatile as a result of, among other things, the limited amount
of shares of our common stock available for trading, which means
that relatively limited amounts of purchases or sales of our
stock could have a significant effect on the market price.
Factors that could cause fluctuation and declines in our stock
price may include, but are not limited to:
•
the nature, amounts and trends with respect to our net losses
and cash consumption;
•
the amount of our capital resources and our potential need to
seek additional funding;
•
announcements regarding the construction and operation of the
Snowflake plant;
•
announcements regarding additional renewable energy plants;
•
conditions or trends in our industry;
•
changes in the market valuations of other companies in our
industry;
•
the effectiveness and commercial viability of our renewable
energy plants and products and services offered by us or our
competitors;
•
announcements by us or our competitors of technological
innovations, new products, significant acquisitions or mergers,
strategic partnerships, divestitures, joint ventures or other
strategic initiatives;
concentration of ownership in our common stock by
Mr. Worsley and his affiliates;
•
our limited number of stockholders; and
•
our potentially limited trading volume.
Many of these factors are beyond our control. These factors may
cause the market price of our common stock to decline regardless
of our operating performance. In addition, stock markets have
experienced extreme price volatility in recent years. This
volatility has had a substantial effect on the market prices of
securities issued by many companies for reasons that may be
unrelated to the operating performance of the specific
companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect
the market price of our common stock.
Furthermore, we expect our revenues and operating results to
vary significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result,
quarterly comparisons of our financial results are not
necessarily meaningful and investors should not rely on them as
an indication of our future performance. In addition, due to our
stage of development, we cannot predict our future revenues or
results of operations accurately. As a consequence, our
operating results may fall below the expectations of securities
analysts and investors, which could cause the price of our
common stock to decline. Factors that may affect our operating
results include:
•
our ability to successfully start up and operate the Snowflake
plant and our ability to expand our renewable energy business;
•
market acceptance of renewable energy and the status of
government regulation;
•
cost of energy for renewable energy power as compared to more
traditional power sources;
•
the cost of our raw materials and key components;
•
the success of potential new competition;
•
the development of our customer relationships; and
•
general economic conditions, which can affect our
customers’ capital investments and the length of our sales
cycle.
The
Snowflake entities did not meet the requirements for cash flow
hedge accounting treatment per SFAS 133 at the time they
entered into a swap transaction that converted the interest rate
applicable to their debt arrangement with CoBank from a floating
to fixed rate, and as a result the Snowflake entities are
required to record a profit or loss in their financial
statements for mark to market changes in the municipal bond
interest rate (BMA index). Thus, in the event of a change in
interest rates the Snowflake entities must record future
operating results in a manner that differs from the likely
economic impact of the change in interest rates. This could give
the appearance of an adverse effect on the Snowflake
entities’ future operating results. The financial markets
could interpret such an adverse appearance negatively, and the
value of our stock may be negatively influenced.
The interest rate applicable to the Snowflake entities’
credit facilities with CoBank was initially tied to a floating
rate index. However, the Snowflake entities entered into swap
transactions that effectively converted the floating interest
rate to a fixed interest rate. There are two separate swap
agreements, one relating to the industrial development bonds and
one relating to the CoBank construction loan. The Snowflake
entities did not meet the requirements for cash flow hedge
accounting treatment per SFAS 133 at the time they entered
into the swap transactions, and as a result the Snowflake
entities are required to record a profit or loss in their
financial statements for mark to market changes in the BMA
index. If the financial markets do not look beyond the Snowflake
entities’ financial statements when assessing the value of
our shares of common stock, the value of our stock may be
negatively assessed by the financial markets.
We
will be required to file one or more registration statements to
allow the Worsley Trust to sell the shares of Renegy common
stock and shares of Renegy common stock issuable upon exercise
of its warrants.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, commencing
July 1, 2008, we have agreed upon demand with limited
exceptions to file one or more registration statements to allow
the Worsley Trust to register for the resale of shares of our
common stock, and shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants held by the Worsley Trust. The expenses
of registration will be borne by us and may require us to use
our cash, depleting our available cash reserves. The expenses of
registration may include fees to be paid to accountants,
attorneys and other third parties.
The
warrants issued to the Worsley Trust may limit our ability to
raise additional capital and may significantly dilute existing
stockholders.
The Worsley Trust holds warrants to acquire
2,473,023 shares of our common stock at an exercise price
of $16.38 per share that, if vested and exercised in full, would
result in the Worsley Trust owning approximately 69.4% of our
outstanding common stock. The warrants vest upon the occurrence
of certain events, with one-third of the warrants vesting upon
commencement of operation of the Snowflake biomass power plant
in accordance with the existing power purchase agreements by
July 1, 2008, and with the remaining two-thirds vesting
upon the development or operation of additional power plants.
The warrants will expire no earlier than October 1, 2011
and no later than October 1, 2013. If and when the warrants
are exercised, common stock will be issued and our existing
stockholders will be diluted. In addition, the existence of the
warrants may deter potential investors from investing in us
because of the dilutive effects.
Mr. Worsley
is our controlling stockholder and ultimately he will have the
power to elect our entire Board of Directors.
An affiliate of Mr. Worsley, the Worsley Trust, owns
3,553,157 shares of our common stock constituting
approximately 57.2% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock, and warrants to acquire up to an additional
2,473,023 shares of our common stock, which if vested and
exercised, would result in the Worsley Trust owning
approximately 69.4% of our outstanding common stock. Thus,
Mr. Worsley is our controlling stockholder. Although four
of our current board members are independent directors who have
not been selected by Mr. Worsley, and such directors may
appoint an additional independent director at our next annual
meeting anticipated to occur in September 2008, Mr. Worsley
may nominate directors to replace two of the independent
directors upon expiration of their terms, and will likely own
enough shares to cause his nominees to be elected. In such
event, he will control a majority of our board of directors.
However, our certificate of incorporation requires that at all
times after the expiration of the initial term of our
Class III directors, all of whom are independent directors,
our Board of Directors must maintain a Special Committee
comprised of at least three independent directors, which shall
have the authority to approve or disapprove any related party
transactions, among other powers, and provides that after the
expiration of the initial term of the Class III directors,
members of the Special Committee must be appointed by a majority
of the independent directors from among the independent
directors then serving on the Board. Further, pursuant to the
Contribution and Merger Agreement, the Worsley Trust and its
affiliates (“Worsley”) have agreed to vote all shares
of our common stock owned by Worsley to maintain at least three
independent directors on our Board of Directors. Although this
provision provides some limits on Mr. Worsley’s
authority with respect to related party transactions, it will
not prevent him from controlling a majority of our Board of
Directors. Thus, apart from the restrictions on related party
transactions and any fiduciary obligations to stockholders under
applicable corporate law, Mr. Worsley will be able to
control our operations as he deems appropriate.
Mr. Worsley’s ownership of a majority of our common
stock and ultimate ability to elect all of our directors creates
inherent conflicts of interest which could have an adverse
effect on stockholders and our business.
Our
board of directors is divided into three classes of directors
and such structure may create conflicts between the independent
Board members and Mr. Worsley.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes of
directors. Two independent directors in Class I have an
initial one year term, and three independent directors in
Class III have an initial three year term. Mr. Worsley
and a
designee to be chosen by him comprise the Class II
directors. Although Mr. Worsley is our President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman and controls a majority of our
stock, he will not be able to control a majority of our board of
directors until the term of the Class I directors expires
at our next annual meeting anticipated to occur in September
2008. At that time, he will be able to elect both Class I
directors. Mr. Worsley may choose to nominate different
directors or choose to re-elect the current Class I
directors. There may be conflicts between Mr. Worsley and
the independent directors as a result of this board structure.
In addition, potential indemnification claims may further
complicate the board structure and dynamics. Any such board
disputes likely would negatively impact us and our stockholders.
If
certain business restrictions on Mr. Worsley are not
enforced or we fail to exercise our rights with respect to
certain of those restrictions, then it could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Mr. Worsley and various entities affiliated with him engage
in various business activities throughout the state of Arizona.
In addition, Mr. Worsley through his affiliates own
approximately 80,000 acres of land in Arizona.
Mr. Worsley has agreed in the Contribution and Merger
Agreement to not participate in or facilitate, fund, support or
undertake any project in the renewable energy field or to allow
any real property owned by him to be leased, transferred or
otherwise used for any such renewable energy project without
first granting us a right of first refusal with respect to such
property. Although we believe these provisions are enforceable,
it is possible a court could find such provisions to be overly
broad and partially or entirely unenforceable. In such event, if
Mr. Worsley allows his land to be used by others for
renewable energy purposes, our financial condition and results
of operations may suffer.
We are
substantially dependent on Mr. Worsley for our
success.
Mr. Worsley is our President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of our board of directors, and through the Worsley
Trust, owns approximately 57.2% of our common stock, and
warrants that, if fully vested and exercised, would increase his
beneficial ownership of our common stock to approximately 69.4%.
Thus, the success of Renegy will be principally dependent on
Mr. Worsley. No assurance can be given that
Mr. Worsley will prove to be a successful Chief Executive
Officer of Renegy. If Mr. Worsley is unable or unwilling to
serve as our Chief Executive Officer, it may be difficult to
retain a similar executive. Although we are maintaining a
$5.0 million “key man” insurance policy on
Mr. Worsley, such insurance will not provide for payment in
the event of a disability or his departure as Chief Executive
Officer, other than in the event of death.
Our
management has limited experience in certain aspects of our
business.
Mr. Worsley and our management have limited experience in
the operation of a renewable energy business. Although we
recently hired Hugh Smith, an experienced utility executive, as
our Chief Operating Officer, we can provide no assurance that we
will be able to hire experienced managers in the future. As a
result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to
effectively manage and grow our company.
We may
not have sufficient management to address our diverse business
activities. If we are unable to attract or retain key personnel,
our ability to manage our business could be harmed. We will have
a limited number of management and accounting personnel and we
may have difficulty complying with the requirements of
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
Our management team will be responsible for all of our combined
operations, including successfully completing the construction
of, and operating, the Snowflake biomass power plant, exploring
and evaluating potential acquisitions of renewable energy
plants, building and operating renewable energy plants, and
exploring and evaluating other strategic growth opportunities
for our business. In light of the limited number of management
level employees and the increasing number of federal and NASDAQ
regulatory requirements, substantial burdens will be placed on
our management. It may prove difficult for management to
successfully operate these areas and meet the demands and
requirements of our business activities. Our future success will
therefore depend on attracting and retaining additional
qualified management and technical personnel. No assurance can
be given that management resources will be sufficient to address
our current and future business activities or that we will not
be required to incur substantial additional expenses to add to
our management capabilities. Further, our inability to hire
qualified personnel on a timely basis, or the departure of any
key employee, could harm our expansion and
commercialization plans. We will become subject to the internal
control over financial reporting requirements of
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the first
time in 2008, based on current SEC regulations. As a result of
the limited number of financial personnel we employ, we may have
difficulty complying with the requirements of Section 404
as a result of the inability to segregate duties and other
limitations resulting from our small employee base. Any failure
to meet such requirements could have a material adverse effect
on us. For example, financial markets could interpret such
failure to comply negatively and the price of our stock may
decline as a result.
Change
of Control provisions in our Employment Agreements may have an
adverse impact on us.
The employment agreements with certain of our executive officers
provide that these officers may, at their election, terminate
their employment and collect significant compensation in the
event of a change of control. The employment agreement between
us and Mr. Worsley, our CEO, provides that he may terminate
his agreement for “Good Reason”, which includes a
change in control. In such event, we would be required to make
substantial payments to Mr. Worsley, consisting of two
years of his base salary and the maximum amount of his incentive
compensation. Mr. Higginson, our Senior Vice President, has
a similar provision in his employment agreement. The costs of
these provisions may inhibit a third party from seeking to
acquire our shares in the open market and thus may have a
depressive effect on our stock. This is especially likely to be
the case if the Worsley Trust no longer owns a majority of our
common stock and a potential third party buyer is seeking to
obtain a controlling interest in us.
We
have indemnified CoaLogix for certain matters in connection with
the sale of SCR-Tech to CoaLogix; Catalytica has indemnified
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (“Kawasaki”) and Eaton
Corporation (“Eaton”) for certain matters in
connection with the sale of its gas turbine assets and its
diesel technologies and Catalytica may be subject to other
liabilities from its activities prior to these
sales.
In November 2007, Catalytica sold its SCR-Tech subsidiary to
CoaLogix Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acorn Energy, Inc.
In connection with that sale, we agreed to indemnify CoaLogix
for any breaches of various representations and warranties made
to CoaLogix by Catalytica in connection with the sale. These
indemnities are generally limited to the purchase price of
$9.6 million. Thus, we may be subject to claims if
Catalytica breached any of such representations and warranties.
In September 2006, Catalytica sold its gas turbine assets to
Kawasaki. Although this sale resolved all potential prior claims
with Kawasaki and its affiliates, Catalytica agreed to indemnify
Kawasaki for any breaches of various representations and
warranties made by Catalytica to Kawasaki in connection with the
sale of the gas turbine assets. These indemnities generally are
limited to the purchase price of $2.1 million. Catalytica
also agreed to maintain an amount of not less than
$1.9 million in immediately available funds until
September 30, 2008 to satisfy any indemnification claims
from Kawasaki. In October 2006, Catalytica sold its diesel
technologies and related assets to Eaton, and Catalytica agreed
to indemnify Eaton for any breaches of various representations
and warranties made by Catalytica to Eaton in connection with
the sale, also generally limited to the purchase price of
$2.4 million. Thus, Catalytica may be subject to claims if
it breached any of these representations and warranties to
Kawasaki or Eaton, and any such claim against Catalytica could
harm our financial results. Further, Catalytica may be subject
to claims from its operation of the diesel technologies and its
diesel retrofit and gas turbine activities prior to the sales to
Kawasaki and Eaton, including potential environmental, business
and governmental claims, including the risk of potential
repayment of sums received from government funded research and
development activities if such programs are audited and the
applicable agency requires a reduction in allowed payments to
us. No assurance can be given as to the amount of any such
potential liability or the likelihood of any claims for such
activities.
Item 2.
DESCRIPTION
OF PROPERTY
We lease our 4,000 square feet corporate headquarters
facility, located in Tempe, Arizona, under an operating lease
agreement for approximately $9,900 per month. This lease expires
on July 31, 2007 with no option for renewal. We also
utilize, at no charge, portions of office buildings in Mesa,
Arizona which are owned by companies owned by Robert Worsley. We
also lease, for use by our investor relations group,
approximately 400 square feet office space in Belmont,
California for approximately $800 per month. This lease expires
on August 31, 2008 and is renewable annually.
In January 2008 we entered into a lease agreement for
approximately 7,800 square feet of office space which will
become our corporate headquarters beginning in July 2008. This
lease agreement has a lease term of 65 months and one
five-year renewal option. Monthly rent is approximately $27,600
for the first year with approximately 3% annual increases for
years two through the end of the lease term. We expect to incur
lease improvement expenses of approximately $100,000 not covered
by the landlord’s improvement allowance.
In February 2008, our Renegy Susanville, LLC subsidiary
(“Renegy Susanville”) entered into a lease agreement
to lease approximately 40 acres of land in Susanville,
California on which an idle biomass power plant owned by Renegy
Susanville is located. The lease provides for monthly lease
payments of $30,000 per month commencing January 31, 2008
and terminating no later than January 30, 2013, except
under certain circumstances. Simultaneously with entering into
the lease, for consideration of $100,000, Renegy Susanville
entered into an option agreement through January 2013 for the
option to acquire the land pursuant to a form of purchase and
sale agreement, for a purchase price of $80,000 per acre. The
option agreement provides that the initial $100,000 payment
shall be credited against the purchase price of the land upon
exercise of the option. In addition, the lease provides that
100% of the first 24 months of lease payments shall apply
to the purchase price under the option agreement if Renegy
Susanville elects to exercise the option during such period. If
the option is exercised on or after the first day following the
24th month of the lease term, only 50% of all lease
payments made within the first 24 months of the lease term
and thereafter shall apply to the purchase price. We expect to
use the site to refurbish and operate the idled biomass power
plant owned by Renegy Susanville, subject to obtaining necessary
financing to refurbish the plant, obtaining any necessary
construction, operation and environmental permits, identifying
and securing necessary fuel sources at a cost-effective rate,
entering into a power purchase agreement to sell the power
produced by the plant and other necessary activities to
refurbish, restart and operate the plant.
The Snowflake plant is being constructed adjacent to a paper
mill owned and operated by Abitibi. Snowflake leases the land on
which the Snowflake plant is being built under a ground lease
agreement with a
25-year
term, beginning on January 1, 2007. Pursuant to the ground
lease agreement, Snowflake is not required to pay monetary rent
for access and use of the real property, however is obligated to
directly pay or reimburse Abitibi for several operating expenses
as defined in the ground lease agreement. The lease has a
renewal option for one additional
25-year term
with the payment of a $1,000,000 extension fee. Pursuant to
Snowflake’s financing arrangements for the Snowflake plant,
CoBank has a security interest in Snowflake’s rights under
the ground lease which may be enforced in the event of
Snowflake’s default under such financing arrangements.
We believe our existing facilities are in sufficient condition,
and, following our relocation to our new corporate headquarters
in July 2008 as described above, are adequate for both our
present needs and for any of our expansion requirements in 2008.
We believe we have adequate insurance on our corporate
headquarters facilities and that our insurance on our other
facilities is sufficient to satisfy our lender requirements.
Item 3.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
Although we may be subject to litigation from time to time in
the ordinary course of our business, we are not currently a
party to any material legal proceeding.
Item 4.
SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of
the Company during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered
by this report.
MARKET
FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL
BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market
Information
Renegy common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under
the symbol “RNGY.” The following table sets forth high
and low closing prices per share for our common stock as quoted
on the NASDAQ Capital Market during each quarter of 2007 and
2006. Such prices represent inter-dealer prices and do not
include retail
mark-ups or
mark-downs or commissions and may not represent actual
transactions. Renegy common stock began trading on the NASDAQ
market effective with the consummation of the Merger Transaction
on October 1, 2007; accordingly, data for the quarters
prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 are presented as
“N/A.”
As of March 24, 2008, there were approximately 652 holders
of record of our common stock, as shown on the records of our
transfer agent. The number of record holders does not include
shares held in “street name” through brokers.
Dividend
Policy
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock or any
other securities. We anticipate we will retain any future
earnings for use in the expansion and operation of our business
and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
Stock
Based Compensation Plans
In connection with the Merger Transaction, options to purchase
shares of Catalytica common stock outstanding at the effective
time of the merger were assumed by Renegy, exercisable for
shares of Renegy common stock. Catalytica’s 1995 Stock Plan
(the “1995 Plan”) provided for the acceleration of
vesting of all outstanding options in the event of a change in
control on the date six months after the change in control. In
May 2007, the board of directors of Catalytica authorized and
approved, contingent on the closing of the Merger Transaction,
the acceleration of any unvested portion of all outstanding
options under the 1995 Plan as of immediately prior to the
closing. As a result, 316,616 options to purchase Renegy common
stock, based on original grant terms and adjusted for the merger
exchange ratio, were assumed by Renegy.
Also in connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company
established a stock based incentive plan, titled the 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), subject to
stockholder approval, which provides for the granting of stock
options, restricted stock, restricted stock units
(“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights
(“SARs”), and performance units/shares to employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants in exchange for services
received. Employees are also eligible for option grants at their
hire date based on predetermined quantities set by the
compensation committee and are eligible for annual incentive
awards based on achievement of objectives, subject to approval
by the compensation committee. Incentive awards are periodically
granted to consultants for services rendered, subject to
approval by the compensation committee or Board of Directors.
Incentive awards to non-employee directors for their service on
the board are determined and approved on an annual basis by the
compensation committee. Incentive award vesting periods range
from immediate vesting to four years and have contractual lives
ranging from five to ten years.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation
Plans
Number of
Securities to be
Issued upon
Weighted-Average
Common Stock
Exercise of
Exercise Price of
Reserved for Future
Outstanding Options
Outstanding Options
Issuance(1)(2)
Plans approved by security holders:
1995 Plan
316,616
$
19.17
—
Plans not approved by security holders:
2007 Plan(3)
7,857
$
8.15
992,143
Total
324,473
992,143
(1)
Effective with the consummation of the Merger Transaction, no
additional shares will be awarded under the 1995 Plan.
Outstanding shares at the effective date of the merger
consummation were assumed by Renegy.
(2)
The number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan
will be increased on the first day of each fiscal year beginning
with the 2009 fiscal year, in an amount equal to the lessor of
(a) 500,000 shares, (b) 4% of the outstanding
shares on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year
or (c) such number of shares determined by the board of
directors; provided, however, that the maximum aggregate number
of shares that may be issued under the plan as incentive stock
options shall remain 1,000,000 shares.
(3)
The 2007 Plan will be submitted by the Company’s board of
directors to Renegy stockholders for approval within one year of
its October 1, 2007 adoption. If not approved, any grants
previously issued would be nullified.
Item 6.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and other parts of this
Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB
contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Words such as “anticipate,”“believe,”“estimate,”“expect,”“intend,”“plan” and similar expressions
identify such forward-looking statements, which are based on
information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our
actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in
these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth in “Item 1. Description of
Business — Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this
Form 10-KSB.
Basis of
Presentation
The following discussion and analysis of our results of
operations and financial condition covers periods prior to the
consummation of the Merger Transaction (as defined herein) and
periods subsequent to the consummation of the Merger
Transaction. Information presented for fiscal year 2007 is based
on the combination of (i) the audited financial statements
of the Company (as defined herein) for the three months ended
December 31, 2007, and (ii) the audited financial
statements of the Snowflake entities (as defined herein) for the
first nine months of 2007. The Company had no substantive
activity from inception (May 1, 2007) until the
consummation of the Merger Transaction on October 1, 2007.
Information presented for 2006 is based on the audited financial
statements of the Snowflake entities for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
On a post-merger basis, the Company has significant corporate
overhead principally relating to management personnel, public
company expenses, and business development activities. In
addition, the combined results of operations for 2007 include
discontinued operations related to the results of operations and
the sale of the Company’s SCR-Tech subsidiary in November
2007. Except for those differences, we believe the
Company’s business is similar to that of the Snowflake
entities. Thus, we believe the presentation herein allows an
appropriate comparison of the operations of the Company’s
biomass plant construction and related business activities
during the applicable periods.
Introduction
Renegy Holdings, Inc. (“Renegy,” the
“Company,”“we,”“us,” or
“our”) is a renewable energy company focused on
acquiring, developing and operating a growing portfolio of
biomass to electricity power generation facilities to address an
increasing demand for economical power relying on alternative
energy sources. We seek to rapidly grow our portfolio of
renewable energy assets within a five-year period through the
acquisition of existing biomass to electricity facilities (both
operating and idle), in addition to the development,
construction and operation of new biomass facilities. Other
business activities include an established fuel aggregation and
wood products business, which harvests, collects and transports
forest thinning and woody waste biomass fuel to our power
plants, and which sells logs, lumber, shaved wood products and
other high value wood by-products to help reduce the cost of
fuel for our primary business operations.
History
Renegy was incorporated on May 1, 2007, as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“Catalytica”), for purposes of completing
the transaction contemplated by the Contribution and Merger
Agreement (the “Contribution and Merger Agreement”)
dated as of May 8, 2007, as amended, by and among
(i) the Company, (ii) Catalytica, (iii) Snowflake
Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”’),
(iv) Renegy, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company
(“Renegy LLC”), (v) Renegy Trucking, LLC, an
Arizona limited liability company (“Renegy Trucking”),
(vi) Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, an Arizona
limited liability company (“Snowflake” and, together
with Renegy LLC and Renegy Trucking, the “Snowflake
entities”), (vii) Robert M. Worsley (“R.
Worsley” or “Mr. Worsley”),
(viii) Christi M. Worsley (“C. Worsley”) and
(ix) the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable
Trust (the “Worsley Trust” and, together with R.
Worsley and C. Worsley, “Worsley”).
From inception (May 1, 2007) through
September 30, 2007, we had nominal assets and no material
operating activities other than being a party of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and de minimis financing
activity relating to fees for the registration of shares of its
stock issuable under the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
At a special stockholders meeting held on September 27,2007, Catalytica stockholders holding a majority of the
Catalytica common stock outstanding approved adoption of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement, and following the completion
of the quarter, on October 1, 2007, the parties to the
Contribution and Merger Agreement completed the transaction
pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
In the transaction, Catalytica and the Snowflake entities
combined their businesses through the merger of Merger Sub with
and into Catalytica, with Catalytica surviving the merger, and
the concurrent contribution to Renegy by the Worsley Trust, the
beneficial owners of the Snowflake entities, of all of the
outstanding equity interests of the Snowflake entities (the
“Merger Transaction”). As a result of the Merger
Transaction, Catalytica and the Snowflake entities became
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Renegy. In connection with the
consummation of the Merger Transaction, Catalytica terminated
its registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with
its filing of Form 15 on October 2, 2007.
Pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
each outstanding share of common stock of Catalytica was
converted into the right to receive one-seventh (1/7th) of a
share of Renegy common stock. Additionally, each outstanding
option to purchase Catalytica common stock was assumed by Renegy
and now represents an option to acquire shares of Renegy common
stock, subject to the conversion ratio, on the terms and
conditions set forth in the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
Each outstanding Catalytica restricted stock unit award was
accelerated immediately prior to the consummation of the
Transaction and was treated in the same
manner as other shares of Catalytica common stock which were
outstanding immediately prior to consummation of the Merger
Transaction.
Further, pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, the Worsley Trust, a trust controlled by R. Worsley
and C. Worsley, received 3,774,048 shares of Renegy’s
common stock and warrants to purchase up to
2,473,023 shares of Renegy’s common stock in
connection with the Merger Transaction. The warrants have an
exercise price of $16.38 per share, provide for vesting in three
tranches conditioned upon the Company’s achievement of
certain renewable energy-related milestones, and expire at
specified times no later than six years following the closing of
the Merger Transaction. Upon the closing of the Merger
Transaction, Catalytica stockholders held approximately 41.3% of
Renegy’s outstanding stock and the Worsley Trust held
approximately 58.7%, which would increase to approximately 70%
if the warrants issued to the Worsley Trust are exercised in
full.
In accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business
Combinations,” the Snowflake entities were considered
to have acquired Catalytica. Accordingly, the purchase price was
allocated among the fair values of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed of Catalytica, and the historical results of
the Snowflake entities became the basis of comparative
historical information of the combined company.
On November 7, 2007, we consummated the sale of our
SCR-Tech subsidiary, a provider of emissions compliance services
for coal-fired power plants, to CoaLogix Inc.
(“CoaLogix”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acorn
Energy, Inc. In accordance with the terms of the Contribution
and Merger Agreement, net proceeds received in excess of a
threshold amount as defined in the agreement were to be
reflected in a reduction of the number of shares of Renegy
common stock issued to the Worsley Trust. Net proceeds from the
sale of SCR-Tech were approximately $1.8 million in excess
of the threshold. Accordingly, the number of shares issued to
the Worsley Trust was reduced by approximately 1.5%
(220,891 shares), thereby reducing the percentage of Renegy
common stock held by the Worsley Trust to 57.2%, as compared to
58.7% at the effective time of the Merger Transaction.
As a result of the sale of SCR-Tech, we are now pursuing a more
focused business strategy in the large and rapidly developing
renewable energy market.
Overview
Our primary business operations are focused on acquiring,
developing and operating a growing portfolio of biomass to
electricity power generation facilities to address an increasing
demand for renewable and economical power. Other business
activities include an established fuel aggregation and wood
products business, which collects and transports forest thinning
and woody waste biomass fuel to our power plants, and which sell
logs, lumber, shaved wood products and other high value wood
by-products to help reduce the cost of fuel for our primary
business operations.
Our first project is a 24 megawatt (“MW”) biomass
plant which is currently under construction near Snowflake,
Arizona (the “Snowflake plant”). This biomass to
electricity facility, which is scheduled to begin operating in
the second quarter of 2008, has 15- and
20-year
power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) in place with
Arizona Public Service Co. (“APS”) and Salt River
Project (“SRP”), respectively, Arizona’s two
largest electric utility companies. The PPAs provide that all of
the power generated over the respective term is pre-sold for the
length of each respective PPA.
In November 2007, we acquired an idle biomass plant in
Susanville, California. We currently estimate this 13 MW
plant could be fully operational by the end of 2008, subject to
the prospects and timing associated with securing financing
necessary to refurbish the plant, obtaining any required
construction, operation and environmental permits, identifying
and securing necessary fuel sources at a cost-effective rate,
entering into a PPA for the power output of the plant, and other
activities necessary to restart and operate the plant.
We seek to become a leading biomass to electricity independent
power producer (“IPP”) in North America utilizing wood
waste as a primary fuel source. We plan to continue seeking
strategic growth opportunities, including the acquisitions of
additional biomass to electricity power generating facilities
and related businesses, and the construction of new biomass
power plants. We also plan to continually explore opportunities
to expand our fuel aggregation business to support future
biomass power facilities. We have already identified and begun
to explore multiple additional biomass to electricity project
opportunities totaling more than one gigawatt of power output as
well as strategic business acquisition opportunities that
complement our current business activities, build upon our core
competencies, and strengthen our market position.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
of operations are based upon our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements
requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses,
and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an on-going
basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those
related to contract terms, financial instruments, inventories,
interest capitalization, stock compensation, and income taxes.
We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and
on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under
the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of our
judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities
that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results
could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or
conditions.
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2
to our consolidated financial statements. We believe the
following critical accounting policies affect our more
significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of
our consolidated financial statements.
Development
Stage
Since inception, the Company and Predecessor were considered
development stage companies, as defined in Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 7,
“Accounting and Reporting by Development Stage
Enterprises.” During the three months ended
December 31, 2007, the Company completed the establishment
of its fuel aggregation and wood products business, which
harvests, collects and transports forest thinning and woody
waste biomass fuel to our power plants to help reduce the cost
of fuel for our primary business operations; and which sells
logs, lumber, shaved wood products and other high value wood
by-products. As such, the Company has exited the development
stage. The Company expects to continue making significant
investments toward the construction of its Snowflake biomass
power plant.
Derivative
Financial Instruments
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
(“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its
amendments in SFAS Nos. 137, 139, and 149, we are required
to measure all derivative instruments at fair value and to
recognize all derivative instruments in our statement of
financial position as either assets or liabilities depending on
the rights or obligations under the contracts. The statement
requires that changes in the fair value of derivative
instruments be recognized currently in earnings unless specific
hedge accounting criteria are met. The effective portion of a
gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and
qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is reported as a
component of other comprehensive income. Ineffective portions of
cash flow hedges and changes in fair value resulting in a gain
or loss on a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging
instrument are recognized currently in earnings.
As of December 31, 2007, we have two interest rate swaps to
assist in management of the cost of debt associated with our
Snowflake plant. These interest rate swaps do not qualify for
accounting treatment as cash flow hedges in accordance with
SFAS No. 133; therefore, any changes in their fair
values are recognized in current earnings.
Inventories
We account for inventories in accordance with
SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs.”
Inventories principally consist of organic materials including
wood chips, forest slash, woody waste, logs, lumber, mulch and
supplies. The majority of inventories will be processed as
necessary and burned in the power generation process at our
Snowflake plant. Certain lumber and mulch inventory is held for
sale to retailers. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost
or market. Cost is determined by the weighted-average method.
Abnormal amounts of expense resulting from inefficiencies
incurred in inventory procurement, aggregation, and processing
are recognized as current period
charges in cost of wood products operations and were
approximately $0.9 million, $1.7 million, and
$3.2 million during the three months ended
December 31, 2007, the nine months ended September 30,2007, and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.
Capitalized
Interest
We capitalize interest expense in accordance with
SFAS No. 34, “Capitalization of Interest
Cost,” and SFAS No. 62,
“Capitalization of Interest Cost in Situations Involving
Certain Tax-Exempt Borrowings and Certain Gifts and
Grants.” We capitalize interest expense associated with
the construction of the Snowflake plant, net of the associated
interest income associated with tax-exempt borrowings under the
Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds. Interest income of the
Snowflake entities associated with tax-exempt borrowings
approximated $84,000 for the three months ended
December 31, 2007. Interest income of Renegy associated
with tax-exempt borrowings approximated $631,000 and $215,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and the year
ended December 31, 2006, respectively. Interest rates on
loans entered into in association with the financing of the
construction of the Snowflake plant are used as the basis for
the weighted average interest rate for capitalization of
interest expense. Our approximately $39.3 million Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, approximately $9.3 million
construction loan, and approximately $1.5 million term loan
carry interest rates of 4.5%, 5.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. The
resulting weighted average interest rate used in calculating
capitalized interest was approximately 4.7% during the three
months ended December 31, 2007, the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, and the year ended December 31,2006. We capitalized approximately $601,000, $927,000 and
$404,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2007,
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, and the year
ended December 31, 2006, respectively.
Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets
We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 141,
“Business Combinations,” and
SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets.” Purchase prices of acquired businesses that
are accounted for as purchases are allocated to the assets and
liabilities acquired, including intangibles, based on the
estimated fair values on the respective acquisition dates. Based
on these values, the excess purchase price over the fair value
of the net assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Pursuant to
SFAS No. 142, goodwill and other intangible assets
acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to
have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead
tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 142
also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives
be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to
their estimated residual values and tested for recoverability
when events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying
amount may not be recoverable.
Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of
acquired net assets, including other intangible assets. Other
intangible assets that have finite useful lives, including
patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other purchased
technology, were recorded at fair value at the time of the
acquisition, and are carried at such value less accumulated
amortization.
On October 1, 2007, the date of consummation of the Merger
Transaction, all of our goodwill and other intangible assets
were attributed to our SCR-Tech subsidiary. On November 7,2007, we completed the sale of our SCR-Tech subsidiary and
eliminated the carrying values of goodwill and other intangible
assets in the computation of loss on disposal of discontinued
operations.
Deferred
Financing Costs
During 2006, the Snowflake entities incurred debt issuance costs
of approximately $2.9 million related to their project debt
financing which is being amortized over the life of the related
debt using the effective interest method. Amortization expense
was approximately $36,000, $113,000, and $45,000 for the three
months ended December 31, 2007, the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, and the year ended December 31,2006, respectively.
We currently derive revenues principally from the sale of
wood-related products to lumber companies, from forest thinning
services and from sales of wood shavings.
Revenues from the sale of wood-related products, which includes
logs, lumber, mulch
and/or waste
product, and revenues from the sale of wood shavings are
recognized when the material is delivered and title transfers to
the buyer.
Revenues from forest thinning services are recognized in
accordance with related contract terms. For contracts that
provide for payment based on the amount of acreage cleared,
revenue is recognized when the U.S. Forest Service has
inspected the site and approved billing. For contracts that
provide for payment of a contractual amount per ton of biomass
material removed, revenue is recognized as the material is
removed and weighed.
We anticipate future revenues to be derived principally from the
delivery of electric power pursuant to PPAs. As of
December 31, 2007, we have not recognized revenues or
produced or sold electricity under these agreements.
Stock
Based Compensation
We account for stock based compensation awards under the fair
value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R)
(“FAS 123R”), “Share-Based
Payment.” FAS 123R requires stock based
compensation to be measured based on the fair value of the award
on the date of grant and the corresponding expense to be
recognized over the period during which an employee is required
to provide services in exchange for the award. The fair value of
each stock option award is estimated using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model based on certain assumptions including
expected term, risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility,
and dividend yield. The fair value of each RSU award is based on
the closing share price for the Company’s common stock as
quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market on the date of grant.
In connection with the Merger Transaction, we established a
stock based incentive plan, titled the 2007 Equity Incentive
Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which provides for the
granting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock
units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights
(“SARs”), and performance units/shares to employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants in exchange for services
received. The 2007 Plan will be submitted by our board of
directors to Renegy stockholders for approval within one year of
its October 1, 2007 adoption. As a majority of the
Company’s outstanding shares are controlled by management
and members of the board, any option grants issued prior to this
approval are deemed granted for purposes of determining stock
compensation expense in accordance with FAS 123R. During
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, only stock options had been
granted under the 2007 Plan; no restricted stock, RSUs, SARs or
performance units/shares have been granted under the 2007 Plan.
Income
Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method
in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting
for Income Taxes.” Under the asset and liability
method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on the differences between the financial
reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are
measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws.
SFAS No. 109 requires that a valuation allowance be
established when it is more likely than not that all or a
portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
SFAS No. 109 further states that it is difficult to
conclude that a valuation allowance is not needed when there is
negative evidence such as cumulative losses in recent years. As
a result we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our
deferred tax assets and expect to continue to record a full
valuation allowance on future tax benefits until we reach
sustained profitability.
Prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction, the Snowflake
entities had elected to be taxed as single member limited
liability corporations under the Internal Revenue Code, and as
such, were considered disregarded entities. Under those
provisions, the Snowflake entities did not pay federal or state
income taxes on its taxable income. Instead, the income of the
Snowflake entities was passed through to its member for
taxation. As a result, the financial statements for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007 and for the year ended
December 31, 2006 do not reflect any income tax effects of
activities for those periods.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48
(“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109,” which prescribes a comprehensive model
for the financial statement recognition, measurement,
presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or
expected to be taken on an income tax return. We adopted the
provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. The
total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the adoption
date was immaterial, and no material changes to the amount of
unrecognized tax benefits occurred during the year ended
December 31, 2007.
It is our policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued on
any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax
expense. As of the date of adoption of FIN 48, we did not
have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any
unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest or penalties
recorded during the year ended December 31, 2007.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction
and various state jurisdictions. Catalytica’s
U.S. federal income tax returns for years 2004 through 2007
remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Catalytica’s state tax returns for years 2003 through 2007
remain open to examination by the state taxing authorities.
Impact of
Inflation and Foreign Currency Fluctuation
The effect of inflation and changing prices on our operations
was not significant during the periods presented. We have
operated primarily in the United States and all revenue
recognized to date has been made in U.S. dollars.
Accordingly, we have not had any material exposure to foreign
currency rate fluctuations.
Impact of
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157
(“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value
Measurements,” which addresses the measurement of fair
value by companies when they are required to use a fair value
measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP.
SFAS 157 provides a common definition of fair value to be
used throughout GAAP which is intended to make the measurement
of fair value more consistent and comparable and improve
disclosures about those measures. SFAS 157 will be
effective for an entity’s financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are
currently assessing the impact, if any; the adoption of
SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159
(“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”
SFAS 159 allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect
fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement of certain
financial assets and liabilities on an
instrument-by-instrument
basis. Subsequent changes in fair value of these financial
assets and liabilities would be recognized in earnings when they
occur. SFAS 159 is effective for an entity’s financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, with earlier adoption permitted. We are
currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of
SFAS 159 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R)
(“SFAS 141R”), “Business
Combinations,” which amends SFAS No. 141, and
provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring
identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed,
and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. It also
provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the
financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial
effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and is
to be applied prospectively. We are currently assessing the
potential impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 141R
will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160
(“SFAS 160”), “Non-controlling Interests
in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of
ARB 51,”, which establishes accounting and reporting
standards pertaining to ownership interests in subsidiaries held
by parties other than the parent, the amount of net income
attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest,
changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation
of any retained non-controlling equity investment when a
subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes
disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish
between the interests of the parent and the interests of the
non-controlling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal
years beginning on or after December 15,
2008. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, that the
adoption of SFAS 160 will have on our consolidated
financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161
(“SFAS 161”), “Disclosures about
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 133,” which requires enhanced
disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging
activities. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about
how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how
derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted
for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its
related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and
related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position,
financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15,2008, with early adoption encouraged. SFAS 161 encourages,
but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier
periods at initial adoption. The Company is currently assessing
the impact, if any; the adoption of SFAS 161 will have on
its consolidated financial statements.
Results
of Operations
The following summary presents the results of operations from
comparable periods for the years ended December 31, 2007
and 2006 (in thousands). As described above in Basis of
Presentation, information presented for fiscal year 2007 is
based on the combination of (i) the audited financial
statements of the Company for the three months ended
December 31, 2007, and (ii) the audited financial
statements of the Snowflake entities for the first nine months
of 2007.
Revenues for fiscal 2007 and 2006 primarily resulted from the
sale of wood related products and from forest thinning services.
The Snowflake plant will not generate revenues until it
commences operations, which is anticipated to occur in the
second quarter of 2008.
Total revenues decreased by $807,000, or 43%, to $1,088,000 in
2007, as compared to $1,895,000 in 2006. This decrease was
primarily attributable to a decline in lumber sales, partially
offset by increases in forest thinning services and mulch sales.
Lumber sales decreased by $1,292,000 due to a decrease of lumber
production at our saw mill in late 2006. The decision to stop
lumber production was made based on negative market conditions
and increasing production costs relating to subcontractors
operating the saw-mill. Revenues derived from forest thinning
services increased by $287,000, due to management’s
emphasis on the completion of subsidized contracts. Mulch sales
increased by $189,000; primarily due to the securing of one new
major contract in 2007.
We believe the substantial majority of our future revenues will
be derived from the delivery of electric power pursuant to power
purchase agreements with APS and SRP once the Snowflake plant
becomes operational, which is targeted for the second quarter of
2008. To date, we have not recognized revenue or produced or
sold electricity under these agreements. We believe 2008 total
revenues will range between $10.0 million and
$12.0 million, including $2.0 million to
$3.0 million of revenues from our wood product operations,
driven primarily by our wood shavings business. However, our
expectations are subject to significant uncertainty, as they are
heavily dependent upon commencement of commercial operations at
our Snowflake plant.
COST OF
WOOD PRODUCT OPERATIONS
Costs of our fuel aggregation and wood product operations
consists principally of purchased wood chips, direct labor,
management wages, fringe benefits, outsourced labor, insurance,
fuel, repairs and maintenance, depreciation, and uninsured fire
losses of stored wood chips. These costs primarily relate to
expenses incurred in the aggregation and preparation of
inventories (biomass fuel) that will be burned in the power
generation process and also include the costs related to wood
products revenues.
Cost of wood product operations increased by $196,000, or 5%, to
$4,178,000 in 2007 as compared to $3,982,000 in 2006. This
increase was primarily due to increases in purchased wood chips,
and uninsured fire losses, partially offset by decreases in
outsourced labor, repairs and maintenance, direct labor and
benefits, and the level of expenses capitalized in inventory.
Purchases of wood chips increased by $721,000, due to improved
product availability from external suppliers. In April and June,
2007, wood chip piles adjacent to the Snowflake plant caught
fire resulting in losses, net of insurance reimbursement, of
$486,000 in inventory and equipment. Outsourced labor decreased
by $500,000; resulting from decreased activity levels in sawmill
operations and a reduction in efforts to accumulate additional
biomass fuel quantities. During 2005 and 2006, we purchased used
equipment which required significant repairs and maintenance
during 2006; repairs and maintenance incurred in 2007 decreased
by $449,000 as compared to 2006, reflecting a shift to ongoing
expected expense levels. Direct labor and related benefits
decreased by $262,000 due to headcount reductions and
productivity increases. In addition, direct and indirect costs
capitalized in inventory decreased by $530,000, resulting in a
corresponding increase in cost of wood product operations
recognized in 2007, due to reduced efforts to accumulate biomass
fuel as required reserves were reduced to decrease the risk of
fire.
We believe 2008 cost of wood product operations will be higher
than 2007, as these costs generally vary directly in relation to
revenues, which we anticipate will be significantly higher in
2008. Further, due to a change in the mix of wood product
revenues from lumber to wood shavings and commencement of
revenue generation from the production of electricity, we expect
a significant improvement in our gross margin.
LOSS ON
SALE OR DISPOSAL OF ASSETS
Loss on sale or disposal of assets decreased by $154,000, or
64%, to $87,000 in 2007, as compared to $241,000 in 2006. This
decrease was driven by significant sales and disposals of fixed
assets during the second half of 2006; 2007 activity was
significantly less.
We do not anticipate any significant sales or disposals of
assets that might result in a gain or loss in fiscal 2008.
GENERAL,
ADMINISTRATIVE AND DEVELOPMENT (“GA&D”)
EXPENSES
GA&D includes wages and related benefits, stock
compensation, facilities and equipment rent, utilities,
insurance, depreciation, consulting and professional services,
marketing, legal, travel, supplies, and accounting and auditing
services. For all of fiscal 2006 and for the first nine months
of fiscal 2007, GA&D included expenses incurred by the
Snowflake entities. For the last three months of fiscal 2007,
GA&D included expenses incurred by the Snowflake entities
and expenses of Catalytica as a result of the consummation of
the Merger Transaction, under which the operations of the
Snowflake and Catalytica entities merged effective
October 1, 2007.
GA&D increased by $4,067,000, or 585%, to $4,762,000 in
2007 as compared to $695,000 in 2006. This increase was
primarily due to post-merger corporate expenses incurred and
increases in the Snowflake entities professional services and
accounting expenses, partially offset by costs capitalized in
connection with construction of the Snowflake plant. Corporate
expenses increased by $3,556,000, consisting of the following:
i) $837,000 salaries, annual bonus and related benefits for
finance, legal, and executive staffs, ii) $169,000
retention bonus in connection with a change of control agreement
triggered by consummation of the Merger Transaction,
iii) $1,731,000 stock compensation, primarily resulting
from the issuance of warrants in connection with the Merger
Transaction, iv) $570,000 consulting and legal expenses,
primarily related to the purchase of our Susanville plant assets
and for general corporate purposes, and v) $249,000
accounting fees related to additional audit and tax fees in
connection with the Merger Transaction. Professional services
incurred by the Snowflake entities increased by $103,000, due to
pre-merger financial modeling and business development efforts.
Accounting fees incurred by the Snowflake entities increased by
$245,000 due to audits of fiscal
2004-2006 as
required for debt funding incurred late in the third quarter of
2006. Salaries capitalized as part of the Snowflake plant
construction increased by $223,000, with a corresponding
decrease in GA&D, due to a full year’s expenses which
qualified for capitalization in 2007 versus one quarter of
qualified expenses in 2006.
We expect GA&D for 2008 to range between $7.0 and
$8.0 million, reflecting a public company pursuing a
renewable energy growth strategy.
INTEREST
AND OTHER INCOME
Interest and other income increased by $450,000 to $949,000 in
2007, as compared to $499,000 in 2006, primarily due to
investment income earned on restricted cash balances generated
through the issuance of bonds and long-term debt in September
2006. Fiscal 2006 realized investment income for only four
months, while fiscal 2007 investment income was recognized for
the full year, partially offset by declining restricted cash
balances through 2007 as those balances were used to fund plant
construction. In addition, approximately $211,000 investment
income was realized on short-term investments acquired in the
Merger Transaction during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
Also, fiscal 2006 reflects a $235,000 gain on sale of investment
securities, which did not recur in fiscal 2007.
We expect interest and other income will decrease in 2008 as
compared to 2007, as we are projecting a decline in cash as a
result of costs incurred in constructing the Snowflake plant,
payment of corporate overhead and payment of principal, interest
and commitment fees on our various debt agreements.
INTEREST
AND OTHER EXPENSE
Interest expense is reported net of interest capitalized as a
component of plant construction costs. During 2006, the Company
incurred debt issuance costs of approximately $2.9 million
related to its project debt financing which is being amortized
over the life of the related debt using the straight-line method.
Interest and other expense increased by $596,000 to $1,031,000
in 2007 as compared to $435,000 in 2006, due to increased
interest expense and amortization of deferred loan costs related
to debt incurred in late fiscal 2006 and the impairment of
certain investment securities, partially offset by an increase
in capitalized interest. Interest expense increased by
$1,519,000 related to interest incurred on bonds and long-term
debt issued in September 2006. During fiscal 2006, only a
partial-year’s expense was incurred due to date of
issuance; fiscal 2007 incurred expense
for the entire year. For the same reason, amortization of
deferred loan costs increased by $101,000. In fiscal 2007,
approximately $100,000 was recorded to recognize an
other-than-temporary impairment of the value of certain
investment securities held by the Company. Interest capitalized
as a component of plant construction costs increased by
approximately $1,124,000, again primarily due to a full year for
fiscal 2007 versus a partial year for fiscal 2006.
We expect interest and other expense will increase substantially
during 2008 as compared to 2007 as we will begin expensing all
interest incurred, rather than capitalizing a portion of
interest, upon completion of plant construction.
DEBT
COMMITMENT FEES
We incur significant debt commitment fees, primarily related to
fees paid to maintain letters of credit securing our Solid Waste
Disposal Revenue Bonds.
Debt commitment fees increased by $867,000 to $1,183,000 in 2007
as compared to $316,000 in 2006, due to a full year’s
expense in fiscal 2007 versus a partial year’s expense in
fiscal 2006.
CHANGE IN
FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
We have two floating to fixed interest rate swap agreements
related to construction project debt that economically fixes the
interest rate on our ID Bonds and a portion of our other
long-term debt. These interest rate swaps do not qualify for
accounting treatment as cash flow hedges; therefore, changes in
their fair values are recognized in other income (expense).
The change in fair value of derivative instruments resulted in a
charge of $1,077,000 in 2007 and $3,525,000 in 2006 due to
changes in market interest rates and the related impact on the
market value of the swap agreements.
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS
In November 2007, we sold SCR-Tech and its related subsidiaries.
The loss resulting from that sale is reported as loss from
disposal of discontinued operations for the year ended
December 31, 2007. The results of operations for the
SCR-Tech subsidiaries from October 1, 2007 (effective date
of merger) through November 7, 2007 (date of sale) are
reported as loss from discontinued operations for the year ended
December 31, 2007. No gain or loss from discontinued
operations is reported for the year ended December 31,2006, as SCR-Tech and its related subsidiaries were not included
in the results of operations for fiscal 2006 as the merger was
not yet effective.
INCOME
TAXES
Prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction, the Snowflake
entities were limited liability companies with a single owner
and as such, each entity was disregarded for federal and state
income tax purposes. Accordingly, no federal or state income tax
benefit was recorded for 2006 and the first nine months of
fiscal 2007. Subsequent to consummation of the Merger
Transaction, the Company is taxed as a corporation; however, no
benefit from income taxes was recorded for the fourth quarter of
2007 due to the uncertainty of future taxable income that would
allow us to realize deferred tax assets generated from our
losses. We do not believe we will incur any material income
taxes in the foreseeable future.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Prior to the Merger Transaction on October 1, 2007, the
Snowflake entities funded the construction of the Snowflake
biomass power plant and related operations through the proceeds
from the issuance of Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds and
through borrowings from CoBank, ACB. In addition, Worsley
contributed a total of approximately $23.5 million in
capital contributions to the Snowflake entities as of
September 30, 2007. As of December 31, 2006, the
Company had nominal unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and
short term investments and had restricted cash of approximately
$27.9 million. As of September 30, 2007, the Snowflake
entities had nominal unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and
short term investments and had restricted cash of approximately
$8.9 million. The restricted cash balances are restricted
for use in project costs related to the construction of the
Snowflake
plant and related activities. Operating expenses and related
losses incurred by the Snowflake entities were funded by Worsley
as needed for the first nine months of 2007.
As of September 30, 2007, Catalytica had cash, cash
equivalents and short term investments totaling approximately
$13.3 million. Following the closing of the Merger
Transaction, we have used the funds of the combined companies to
fund (i) expenses related to the construction of the
Snowflake biomass plant to the extent not payable from
restricted funds, (ii) operating costs of the Snowflake
entities relating to their fuel aggregation and wood product
business activities, (iii) merger transaction costs to the
extent not paid prior to the completion of the Merger
Transaction, including reimbursement of Worsley transaction
expenses in accordance with the terms of the Merger Transaction
and various retention payments, (iv) the acquisition of the
Susanville biomass facility and leasing costs for the facility
site, and (v) our operations, including general corporate
overhead and business development costs incurred in our efforts
to seek to acquire
and/or
develop additional biomass plants.
On November 7, 2007, we entered into and consummated a
Stock Purchase Agreement for the sale of its SCR-Tech subsidiary
for $9.6 million (subject to an
agreed-upon
working capital adjustment) to CoaLogix Inc, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Acorn Energy, Inc. Net proceeds from the sale,
after legal and professional expenses incurred in connection
with the sale, approximated $9.3 million. In addition, the
Company received a working capital adjustment payment of
approximately $714,000 in January 2008.
Our total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments was
approximately $15.8 million at December 31, 2007.
Additionally, we had approximately $2.4 million of
remaining restricted cash for construction of the Snowflake
plant as of such date. Other balance sheet accounts, such as
those included in working capital, i.e. receivables,
inventories, trade payables and accrued liabilities, are not
considered significant in evaluating our liquidity and capital
resources at December 31, 2007.
The expenses we incurred in connection with the negotiation and
completion of the Merger Transaction negatively affected our
liquidity and capital resources. In connection with the
negotiation and execution of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, Catalytica incurred approximately $3.0 million
in legal, consulting and other professional expenses during the
nine months ended September 30, 2007. In addition, under
the Contribution and Merger Agreement we were required to
reimburse Worsley for the costs and expenses incurred by Worsley
in connection with the Merger Transaction, including legal,
accounting and consulting fees, which was approximately
$1.3 million. Additionally, we incurred a retention
obligation to pay Robert Zack, our CFO (and formerly CEO of
Catalytica) approximately $675,000 as a change of control
retention payment, payable one third upon closing (paid in
October 2007), with the remaining two thirds payable over the
subsequent 12 months (assuming Mr. Zack remains
employed with us through each such payment, other than a
termination without cause, in accordance with the terms of
Mr. Zack’s employment agreement with Catalytica), and
Catalytica also was obligated to pay retention payments to
certain employees totaling approximately $172,000, which were
paid in October 2007.
Capital expenditures during the twelve months ended
December 31, 2007 approximated $35.1 million and were
primarily attributable to the construction of the Snowflake
plant. We expect to incur significant additional expenses to
complete the construction and
start-up of
the Snowflake power plant. It is anticipated that we need to
spend a remaining $13.5 million in project costs, as
defined in the CoBank agreements, to complete the Snowflake
plant and begin commercial operations. We anticipate funding
this amount from our restricted cash, additional draws on its
CoBank construction facilities, general corporate funds, and
infusions from Worsley related to a letter agreement which is
described below.
Pursuant to the Contribution and Merger Agreement, we agreed to
pay the first $2.0 million of Project Costs as defined in
the Credit Agreement dated September 1, 2006, as amended,
by and among Renegy, Renegy Trucking, Snowflake and CoBank ACB
(the “CoBank Credit Agreement”) for the Snowflake
plant that exceed the Project Cap of approximately
$67.3 million as defined in the CoBank Credit Agreement.
Further, the Worsleys agreed to pay to us the amount by which
Project Costs exceed the sum of the Project Cap and
$2.0 million in sufficient time for us to be able to pay
such excess Project Costs pursuant to an Overrun Guaranty dated
May 8, 2007 (the “Overrun Guaranty”). A committee
of independent directors (the “Special Committee”),
acting on our behalf, has the authority to enforce the
Worsleys’ obligations under the Overrun Guaranty.
In February 2008, we issued a press release announcing that we
expect the Project Costs for the Snowflake plant to exceed the
Project Cap by approximately $12.5 million. Pursuant to a
letter agreement between us and the Worsleys (the “Letter
Agreement”), which constitutes an amendment of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and the Overrun Guaranty, we,
with the approval of the Special Committee, and the Worsleys
have agreed that, notwithstanding the provisions of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and the Overrun Guaranty, we
will be responsible for the payment of an additional
$6.0 million of capital costs incurred beyond the Project
Cap that have been, or may be, incurred by us and the
$2.0 million already payable by us as described above. We
believe the $6.0 million in additional capital costs will
enhance the Snowflake plant and further increase the efficiency,
reliability and long-term operating performance of the plant.
The Letter Agreement provides that we will have no obligation to
pay for any Project Costs beyond the $2.0 million
previously agreed to and the $6.0 million described in this
paragraph. Pursuant to a Sponsor Guaranty, dated
September 1, 2006, between R. Worsley and C. Worsley and
CoBank, ACB (the “Sponsor Guaranty”), R. Worsley and
C. Worsley have guaranteed the payment of all Project Costs in
excess of the Project Cap. The Letter Agreement provides that
the Worsleys will deposit a minimum of $5.0 million in cash
in our general operating bank account by March 5, 2008 to
be applied against the Worsleys’ obligations pursuant to
the Sponsor Guaranty and Overrun Guaranty, which deposit has
been made.
In accordance with the terms of the Letter Agreement, we entered
into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Worsley Credit
Agreement”) with the Worsleys pursuant to which the
Worsleys have agreed to lend us up to $6.0 million, which
may be drawn on by us beginning March 31, 2008 for general
working capital purposes, including to pay the capital costs
that we have agreed to pay as described above. We agreed that
the Worsley Credit Agreement would be released upon the
establishment of alternative equity or debt financing of at
least $6.0 million.
On March 28, 2008, we entered into a credit agreement with
Comerica Bank (“Comerica”) providing for a
non-revolving credit facility of up to $6.2 million from
Comerica (the “Comerica Credit Agreement”). Interest
on borrowings under the Comerica Credit Agreement will bear
interest at the Prime Rate as publicly announced by Comerica,
plus one percentage point, or at our election, at the applicable
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus
3.75 percentage points. The Comerica Credit Agreement is
secured by a deposit of $450,000 and a pledge of all of our
assets, other than those assets pledged to CoBank, and by a
guarantee from the Worsleys and the Worsley Trust. The Comerica
Credit Agreement also requires that we maintain minimum
liquidity of $1.0 million, either in cash or in the form of
readily marketable securities, tested monthly. All outstanding
principal and interest under the Comerica Credit Agreement must
be repaid by March 31, 2009. As a result of the Comerica
Credit Agreement, the Worsley line of credit was terminated.
We anticipate incurring significant losses and negative cash
flow until the commencement of operations of the Snowflake
plant. Upon commencement of the operation of the Snowflake
plant, which is anticipated to occur by June 30, 2008, we
will begin to generate revenue from such plant. However, until
the full operation of the plant in accordance with the terms of
the power purchase agreements with Salt River Project and
Arizona Public Service, we will not generate significant amounts
of revenue. We anticipate generating positive cash flow from the
operation of the Snowflake plant, in the range of
$2 million to $3 million during the first full year of
operation. However, such cash flow likely will not be sufficient
to cover our corporate overhead, including the business
development costs of seeking to acquire
and/or
develop additional power plants, and other operating expenses,
including our fuel aggregation and wood products business and
various lease and financing obligations for property, plant and
equipment (collectively, our “corporate overhead”).
Our minimum debt and lease principal payments for 2008 will
total approximately $776,000. In addition, we anticipate we will
incur approximately $3.5 million in interest and financing
costs related to those credit facilities. Thus, we are unlikely
to generate positive cash flow on a consolidated basis until we
acquire or develop additional power plants to allow us to cover
the costs of our corporate overhead. Further, if the costs to
operate the Snowflake plant are higher than anticipated or if
power production from the plant is lower than anticipated, we
will have reduced cash flow from the operation of the plant. It
is possible that the plant could generate negative cash flow
during various periods, in which case we would be required to
fund such negative cash flow.
We anticipate that our capital requirements beyond the Snowflake
power plant will be significant over the next several years. Our
business objective is to become a leading independent power
producer of biomass electricity in North America to address a
growing demand for green, renewable and economical power. We
seek to rapidly grow our portfolio of renewable energy assets
within a five-year period through the acquisition and operation
of existing
and idle biomass to electrical facilities, in addition to the
development, construction and operation of new facilities. We
will need significant additional debt and equity financing to
pursue our expanded vision and rapid growth strategy. The nature
and amount of such capital requirements cannot be definitively
determined at this time. However, our objective is to leverage
project debt financing on individual projects if available.
We believe our available cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments at December 31, 2007, our debt capacity, and
our restricted cash balances, along with additional cash
infusions by Worsley relating to our Snowflake power plant, will
provide sufficient capital to complete construction of the
Snowflake biomass plant and to fund our operations as currently
conducted until at least December 31, 2008. However, if
commercial operations of the Snowflake plant are delayed beyond
the anticipated start date, the plant generates less revenue or
incurs more expenses than anticipated, our fuel aggregation and
wood products business does not generate positive cash flow as
we expect, we are unable to comply with the terms of our loan
agreements, or other unanticipated costs or development expenses
arise, we likely will not have sufficient funds to continue our
operations until December 31, 2008. Moreover, even if our
funds are sufficient to continue our operations as presently
conducted until December 31, 2008, we cannot become cash
flow positive without the acquisition
and/or
development of additional power plants and we do not currently
have the funds to acquire or develop any such plants. For this
reason, and because we intend to pursue a strategy of growing
our business through the acquisition, development and operation
of existing and idle power plant facilities, we will need
significant additional capital. Beyond December 31, 2008,
our cash requirements will depend on many factors, including but
not limited to, the success of the Snowflake biomass plant, our
ability to integrate Catalytica with the Snowflake entities and
our ability to acquire and operate existing and idle biomass
facilities and to construct and operate new facilities.
In addition, we continue to actively pursue acquisitions and
other business opportunities, including but not limited to
mergers or other strategic arrangements (collectively referred
to as “Strategic Opportunities”). Such Strategic
Opportunities likely would require the use of additional funds,
reducing our available capital prior to December 31, 2008,
or require additional equity or debt financing.
The nature and amount of any financing or the use of any capital
to fund our growth strategy cannot be predicted and will depend
on the terms and conditions of any particular transaction. The
capital we seek may take the form of equity or debt financing,
including the issuance of common stock, convertible debt,
warrants and project-specific financing. We cannot anticipate
the terms of any such financing. Any such financing, however,
likely will be dilutive to existing stockholders and may have
unfavorable terms, including providing common stock or
securities convertible into common stock at a significant
discount to the then current market price of our common stock.
Further, such financing may not be available on any terms, in
which case we will be unable to pursue our business strategy and
if we cannot acquire or develop sufficient power plants to cover
our corporate overhead, we ultimately will not have sufficient
funds to continue our operations.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are
required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 303(c) of
Regulation S-B.
We had various contractual obligations outstanding as of
December 31, 2007. The following table sets forth payments
due for each of the next 5 years and thereafter (in
thousands):
Total
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Thereafter
Long-Term Debt Obligations
$
50,024
$
456
$
1,878
$
1,970
$
2,069
$
2,173
$
41,478
Capital Lease Obligations
1,694
320
371
380
287
306
30
Operating Lease Obligations Facilities
1,832
242
336
346
356
366
186
Equipment
4
4
—
—
—
—
—
Purchase Obligations
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Other Long-Term Liabilities
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total Contractual Obligations
$
53,554
$
1,022
$
2,585
$
2,696
$
2,712
$
2,845
$
41,694
The above table excludes our $4.6 million liability related
to the fair value of our interest rate swap arrangement, as we
do not anticipate settling this instrument prior to its maturity.
Other
Commitments
Catalytica-related
Kawasaki
and Eaton sale representations and warranties
In connection with the sale of Catalytica’s gas turbine
technology and associated assets to Kawasaki in September 2006,
Catalytica agreed to indemnify Kawasaki, through September 2008,
for any breaches of various representations and warranties made
by Catalytica to Kawasaki in connection with the sale. These
indemnities are generally limited to the purchase price of
$2.1 million. In addition, Catalytica has agreed to
maintain an amount of not less than $2.0 million in
immediately available funds until September 30, 2007, and
$1.9 million in immediately available funds from
October 1, 2007 until September 30, 2008, to satisfy
any indemnification claims from Kawasaki.
In connection with the sale of its diesel fuel processing
technology and associated assets to Eaton in October 2006,
Catalytica agreed to indemnify Eaton, through October 2008, for
any breaches of various representations and warranties made by
Catalytica to Eaton in connection with the sale. These
indemnities are generally limited to the purchase price of
$2.4 million.
SCR-Tech
sale representations and warranties
In connection with the sale of Catalytica’s SCR-Tech
subsidiary to CoaLogix Inc. (“CoaLogix”) in November
2007, Catalytica is subject to customary representations,
warranties, covenants, and indemnification provisions whereby
Catalytica agrees to indemnify CoaLogix for breaches of the
representations, warranties, and covenants as set forth in the
Stock Purchase Agreement. Indemnification obligations are
generally subject to a deductible of $192,000 and a cap of
$1,920,000, or $9,600,000 in connection with losses relating to
the breach by Catalytica of certain specified indemnity items or
to certain liabilities of Catalytica as set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement. In addition, Renegy guarantees payment of
any of Catalytica’s indemnification obligations under the
Stock Purchase Agreement.
We have not recorded any liabilities related to possible
breaches of representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements, as we believe the likelihood of claim for each to be
remote.
Snowflake
Entities-related
We have a ten-year commitment beginning September 1, 2006,
with annual renewal options, to operate the Heber, Arizona,
Green Waste site. We receive $2,500 per month to operate the
site and are able to utilize wood waste materials (at no charge)
to produce wood chips that will be burned in the power
generation process.
We owe Abitibi $500,000 for the use of and a 20% ownership
interest in the power facility substation located at the
Snowflake plant site, to be paid within one month after
completion of construction of the Snowflake plant, but no later
than January 1, 2008. Payment of this obligation was made
in January 2008.
We are obligated, pursuant to several contracts primarily with
the U.S. Forest Service (the “Forest Service”),
to purchase, cut, and remove timber from various forests.
Certain contracts require the payment by the Forest Service of a
stumpage fee for the right to remove organic materials, to be
paid per each one hundred cubic feet. Other contracts stipulate
a subsidy to be paid to Renegy on a per acre or per ton basis by
the Forest Service for the removal and thinning of Forest
Service lands and have definitive commitments as to the timing
of these services to be rendered.
Pursuant to the CoBank credit agreements, upon commencement of
operation of the Snowflake plant, we must maintain a
21/2
year availability of fuel, other than paper sludge, either on
the plant site or available from counterparties under contract,
provided that at least a one year stockpile of such availability
of fuel, other than paper sludge, is on the plant site at all
times.
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, either
asserted or unasserted, which arise in the ordinary course of
business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted
with certainty, management does not believe the outcome of any
of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Post-merger
Renegy-related
Merger
representations and warranties and cost overrun
In connection with the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
Worsley has agreed to indemnify Catalytica and Renegy and our
respective affiliates, directors, officers and employees from
and against any and all damages arising out of, resulting from
or in any way related to a breach of, or the failure to perform
or satisfy any of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements made by any of the Snowflake entities
and/or
Worsley in the Contribution and Merger Agreement. Renegy and
Catalytica have agreed to indemnify Worsley from and against any
and all damages arising out of, resulting from or in any way
related to (i) a breach of, or the failure to perform or
satisfy any of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements made by Catalytica in the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, and (ii) the construction cost guarantee of
Worsley to CoBank up to $2 million. The respective
obligations of the parties to indemnify for any breaches of
their respective representations and warranties will survive
until April 1, 2009, except for any indemnification claim
resulting from fraud or intentional misrepresentation. No
indemnification is required until the aggregate liability for a
party exceeds $250,000, and the indemnity obligations of each
party are subject to a $10 million cap, except in the case
of fraud or intentional misrepresentation. The indemnification
obligations of Worsley may be satisfied in cash or shares of our
common stock based on a value of $12.25 per share, rounded up to
the nearest whole share. Renegy’s obligation to indemnify
Worsley may be satisfied by paying cash or shares of Renegy
common stock, “grossed up” to reflect Worsley’s
anticipated 58.5% ownership of our outstanding common stock,
which percentage was projected at the time of execution of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement to exist at consummation of
the Contribution and Merger Agreement using the treasury stock
method. Specifically, we may pay cash to Worsley in an amount
equal to (i) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the
amount of the damages for which indemnification is being made by
(B) 0.415, less (ii) the amount of such damages (the
“adjusted damages”) or issue to the Worsley Trust such
number of Renegy shares equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the adjusted damages by (ii) $12.25,
rounded up to the nearest whole share.
Pursuant to the Contribution and Merger Agreement, the Company
agreed to pay up to $2.0 million of project costs in excess
of the Project Cost budget of approximately $67.3 million
(“Project Cap”). In February 2008 we entered into the
Letter Agreement between us and the Worsleys, under which we
will be responsible for the payment of an additional
$6.0 million of capital costs beyond the Project Cap. The
Letter Agreement provides we will have no obligation to pay for
any project costs beyond the $2.0 million previously agreed
to and the $6.0 million described in this paragraph. Any
additional cost overruns in excess of the Project Cap are the
responsibility of the Worsleys. The Letter Agreement provides
that the Worsleys will deposit a minimum of $5.0 million in
cash in our general operating bank account by March 5, 2008
to be applied against the Worsleys’ obligations pursuant to
the
overrun guarantees, which deposit has been made. Pursuant to the
Letter Agreement, to provide additional liquidity for our
working capital and general corporate purposes, we also entered
into a revolving credit agreement with the Worsleys pursuant to
which the Worsleys have agreed to lend us up to
$6.0 million, which may be drawn on by us beginning
March 31, 2008 for general working capital purposes,
including the payment of capital costs until such time as the
Company is able to establish a line of credit with a financial
institution or arrange for alternative financing. The Worsleys
have also agreed to personally guarantee a line of credit for an
amount up to $6.0 million to be established for the Company
at a bank or other financial institution reasonably acceptable
to the Company to replace the line of credit from the Worsleys.
On March 28, 2008, we entered into a credit agreement with
Comerica, guaranteed by the Worsley’s and the Worsley
Trust, providing for a non-revolving credit facility of up to
$6.2 million, resulting in the termination of the Worsley
line of credit.
In addition, in connection with the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the Worsleys for any
claims arising under their guarantee to Salt River Project
relating to the payment of all sums owed by Snowflake to Salt
River Project under its power purchase agreement with Snowflake
and for maintaining a net worth of at least $35 million.
We have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the
Worsley Trust pursuant to which we have agreed, at our expense,
to prepare and file a registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
covering the resale from time to time of all of the shares of
our common stock issued to the Worsley Trust in connection with
the Merger Transaction as well as all shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the Worsley
Trust. We must prepare and file such registration statement upon
the request of the Worsley Trust at any time from and after
July 1, 2008, provided that we may delay and requested
registration for up to 60 consecutive days in any calendar year
(or 120 days in the aggregate in any calendar year) if and
for so long as certain conditions exist.
Susanville
land lease and option to purchase
In connection with a lease agreement entered into in February
2008, we are leasing approximately 40 acres of land on
which an idle biomass plant owned by us is located. This lease
provides for monthly lease payments of $30,000 per month
commencing January 31, 2008 and terminating no later than
January 30, 2013. Simultaneously with entering in the
lease, for consideration of $100,000, we entered into an Option
Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) which provides the
option to acquire the land for a purchase price of $80,000 per
acre. The Option Agreement provides that the initial $100,000
payment shall be credited against the purchase price upon
exercise of the purchase option. In addition, the lease provides
that 100% of the first 24 months of lease payments made
shall apply to the purchase price if exercised during the first
24 months, or 50% of all lease payments made shall apply to
the purchase price if exercised anytime on or after the first
day following the
24th month
of the lease term.
Item 7.
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our Consolidated Financial Statements and the report of the
independent registered public accounting firm appear on
pages 79 through 112 of this
Form 10-KSB.
Item 8.
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and
procedures. We have carried out an evaluation
under the supervision and with the participation of management,
including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and
procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures means controls
and other procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that
we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in
the SEC’s rules and forms. In addition, disclosure controls
and procedures include, without limitation, controls and
procedures designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as
appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness
of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including
the possibility of human error and the circumvention or
overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even
effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide
reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Based upon the evaluation described above, our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of
December 31, 2007, the Company’s disclosure controls
and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance
that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file
and submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when
required.
(b) Changes in internal controls. There
were no changes in the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation
required by paragraph (d) of
Rules 13a-15
or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter
ended December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or
are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting.
(c) This annual report does not include a report of
management’s assessment regarding internal control over
financial reporting or an attestation report of the
Company’s registered public accounting firm due to a
transition period established by rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission for newly public companies.
DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE
WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
The following table sets forth the ages and present positions
for each of our directors and executive officers. Each officer
shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
Name
Age
Position
Robert M. Worsley(b)
52
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board,
Director
Robert M. Worsley has served as our chairman and CEO
since October 2007. Previously, Mr. Worsley founded and
served as president of NZ Legacy, LLC; an Arizona land, mineral
and energy development company whose renewable energy divisions
merged into Renegy. Prior to founding NZ Legacy in March 2002,
Mr. Worsley served as the chairman, chief executive officer
and president of SkyMall, Inc., which he founded in 1989, until
his retirement in 2003. During his tenure at SkyMall,
Mr. Worsley was successful in leading the Company through
an IPO in 1996 and a sale to Newscorp’s Gemstar affiliate
in 2001, and growing the business to become the largest
in-flight
catalog company in the world with over $85 million in
annual revenues. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Worsley was a
principal of ExecuShare, Inc., an executive services firm that
provided time-shared financial executives for small companies.
From 1980 to 1985, Mr. Worsley was an accountant with Price
Waterhouse, a public accounting firm, where he most recently
held the position of Audit Manager. Mr. Worsley has a
bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young
University. Mr. Worsley was a Certified Public Accountant
for over twenty years.
Ricardo Levy, Ph.D. has served on our board of
directors since June 2007. Previously, Dr. Levy served as
chairman of the board of Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. from
December 2000 through September 2007. In addition to his role as
chairman, Dr. Levy also served as interim president and CEO
of Catalytica Energy Systems from June through December 2002,
having previously served as president and CEO of the former
parent company Catalytica, Inc. Dr. Levy founded
Catalytica, Inc. in 1974, serving as chief operating officer
until 1991 and then as president and chief executive officer
until December 2000, when Catalytica, Inc. and its subsidiary
Catalytica Pharmaceuticals Inc. were sold to DSM N.V concurrent
with the spin-off of Catalytica Energy Systems. Before founding
Catalytica, Inc., Dr. Levy was a founding member of
Exxon’s chemical physics research team. Dr. Levy
currently serves on the board of directors of public companies
Accelrys, Inc. (formerly known as Pharmacopeia, Inc.) and
StemCells, Inc. He has an M.S. from Princeton University, a
Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Stanford University and is an
alumnus of Harvard University’s Executive Management
Program.
Richard A. Abdoo has served on our board of directors
since June 2007. Previously, Mr. Abdoo served on the board
of directors of Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. from July 2004
until September 2007, most recently as vice chairman.
Mr. Abdoo is president of R.A. Abdoo & Company
LLC, and brings nearly three decades of energy industry
expertise to the Company’s board membership, having retired
in April 2004 from his position as chairman, president and chief
executive officer of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC) after a
29-year
career with WEC and its subsidiary, Wisconsin Electric Power
Company (WEPC), now known as We Energies. Mr. Abdoo first
joined WEC as a director of corporate planning in 1975 and held
positions of increasing responsibility in planning and
operations for WEC through 1989 including vice president, senior
vice president and executive vice president. In 1989,
Mr. Abdoo was named president and chief operating officer
of WEPC and several other WEC subsidiaries, and subsequently
served as chief executive officer of all WEC subsidiaries until
1991 when he was elected chairman, president and chief executive
officer of WEC. Under his executive leadership, WEC grew to
become a Fortune 500 company through a series of mergers
and acquisitions which both enriched and enlarged the offerings
and markets of the Company. He oversaw the merger of WEPC and
Wisconsin Natural Gas into a single utility in 1996, the
acquisition of WICOR, Inc. and its Wisconsin Gas subsidiary in
2000, and later that same year the introduction of the
WEC’s Power the Future plan to meet the future energy needs
of southeastern Wisconsin. Mr. Abdoo’s experience
includes planning and leadership in coal both in
Wisconsin’s energy plan and support of state regulation to
support coal industry initiatives. Mr. Abdoo currently
serves on the boards of directors of AK Steel Holding
Corporation and Marshall & Ilsley Corporation. He
earned a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the
University of Dayton and a Master’s degree in economics
from the University of Detroit. He has also completed
post-graduate studies in engineering at Wayne State University.
William B. Ellis, Ph.D. has served on our board of
directors since June 2007. Previously, Dr. Ellis served on
the board of directors of Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. from
September 1995 until September 2007. Dr. Ellis is a
lecturer and resident fellow of the Yale University School of
Forestry and Environmental Studies. Dr. Ellis retired as
chairman of Northeast Utilities in 1995, where he also served as
chief executive officer from 1983 to 1993. Dr. Ellis joined
Northeast Utilities in 1976 as its chief financial officer. He
was a consultant with McKinsey & Co. from 1969 to 1976
and was a principal in that firm from 1975 to 1976.
Dr. Ellis serves on the boards of directors of the
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and on the Pew
Center on Global Climate Change. He has a Ph.D. in chemical
engineering from the University of Maryland.
Susan Tierney, Ph.D. has served on our board of
directors since June 2007. Previously, Dr. Tierney served
on the board of directors of Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.
from December 2001 until September 2007. Dr. Tierney is
currently a managing principal of Analysis Group Inc. where she
specializes in energy industry issues. Dr. Tierney served
as Senior Vice President of Lexecon Inc. from 1995 to 2003.
Dr. Tierney is Chairperson of the Board of Directors of The
Energy Foundation and Clean Air-Cool Planet, non-profit
organizations. Additionally, she previously served as a director
of the following non-profit organizations: American Council on
Renewable Energy (ACORE), Climate Policy Center, and the
Northeast States Center for a Clean Air Future. During 2004, she
was also Chairperson of the board for the Electricity Innovation
Institute (a subsidiary of EPRI). She was also a director of
EPRI from 1998 to 2003 and from 2005 to 2006. Before joining
Lexecon (and its predecessor company, the Economics Resource
Group) in November 1995, Dr. Tierney served in senior
positions in federal and state government from 1983 until 1995,
most recently as assistant secretary for policy at the
U.S. Department of Energy, Secretary of Environmental
Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and commissioner
of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Previously,
she was an assistant professor at the University of California,
Irvine from 1978 until 1982. Dr. Tierney has a Ph.D. and a
Masters degree in regional planning from Cornell University and
a bachelor’s degree from Scripps College.
Non-Director
Executive Officers
Hugh W. Smith has served as our Chief Operating Officer
since March 2008. From July 2007 to March 2008, Mr. Smith
was senior vice president of generation and development for
EnergyCo LLC where he was responsible for operations, strategic
assessment of new assets, and developing policies and procedures
associated with the startup of a non-regulated energy company.
From 2004 to June 2007, Mr. Smith served as senior vice
president of energy resources at PNM Resources during which time
he led operations of the company’s power generation fleet
consisting of over 2,500 megawatts of coal, nuclear, gas-fired
and renewable assets. From 1979 to 2003, he held positions of
increasing responsibility at Tampa Electric Company, most
recently as vice president of energy supply and trading.
Mr. Smith previously chaired the United Way Community
Investment Council and served on the Board of Directors for the
United Way of Central New Mexico and for the All Faiths
Receiving Home. Mr. Smith graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree from the University of Florida.
Robert W. Zack has served as our executive vice president
and chief financial officer since June 2007 and as our chief
executive officer from inception to September 2007. Previously,
Mr. Zack served as the president and CEO of Catalytica
Energy Systems, Inc. since July 2005 and as a member of the
Board of Directors since February 2006. During this time,
Mr. Zack also continued to serve as chief financial officer
for Catalytica Energy Systems, a position he had held since
April 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Zack had served as vice
president, finance and controller of Catalytica Energy Systems
since February 2002. Before joining Catalytica Energy Systems,
Mr. Zack served as group vice president of finance for
MicroAge, Inc. From 1995 to 1999, he served as the chief
financial officer of NIENEX. Previously, Zack has held various
executive and financial management roles at Active Noise and
Vibration Technologies, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and
Arthur Andersen L.L.P. He earned his B.S. in accounting and his
MBA from Arizona State University. He is also a certified public
accountant.
Scott K. Higginson has served as our senior vice
president, business development & public affairs since
October 2007. Previously, Mr. Higginson was executive vice
president of NZ Legacy, LLC since January 2005. From 2001 to
2005, Mr. Higginson was an owner of Four Square Group, a
government and public affairs consulting firm that represented
clients on issues related to natural resources, healthcare,
agriculture and renewable energy at the federal, state and local
levels of government in Arizona and Nevada. From 1995 to 2001,
Mr. Higginson was the corporate vice president of
government and public affairs at Del Webb Corporation. From 1989
to 1995, Mr. Higginson served two terms on the Las Vegas
City Council and was the owner of a public relations and
advertising consulting business focusing on business
communications and political campaign management.
Mr. Higginson has a bachelors’ degree in political
science and journalism from Brigham Young University.
There are no family relationships between any of the directors
or executive officers of the Company.
No events have occurred in the past five years that are material
to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any person
serving in a director or executive officer role of the Company.
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the
Company’s executive officers, directors and persons who own
more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity
securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”)
Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent
stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms and
amendments thereto received by it, or written representations
from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that,
during fiscal year 2007, all reporting persons complied with
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them.
Code of
Ethics
We maintain a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our
directors, officers, including our Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer and principal financial and accounting
officers, and our employees (including directors, officers and
employees of our wholly-owned subsidiaries). The Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics addresses such topics as protection
and proper use of our assets, compliance with applicable laws
and regulations, accuracy and preservation of records,
accounting and financial reporting, conflicts of interest and
insider trading. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is
posted on our web site at:
http://www.renegy.com.
We will furnish to any person without charge, upon request a
copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Please submit
such request to us at the following address:
Renegy Holdings, Inc.
301 W. Warner Road, Suite 132 Tempe, Arizona85284
Attn: Secretary
Audit
Committee
The Company has a separately-designated standing audit committee
of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”)
established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the
Exchange Act. The three members of the Audit Committee are
William B. Ellis, Chairman, Ricardo B. Levy, and Susan F.
Tierney. The Board of Directors has determined that each member
of the Audit Committee meets the independence criteria
prescribed by applicable law and the rules of the SEC for audit
committee membership and meets the criteria for audit committee
membership required by The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“the
NASDAQ Stock Market”). Further, each Audit Committee member
meets the NASD’s financial knowledge requirements. Also,
our Board has determined that William B. Ellis qualifies as an
“audit committee financial expert,” as defined in the
rules and regulations of the SEC.
Item 10.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain summary information
concerning the annual compensation received for services
rendered to the Company during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007 by: (i) Robert M. Worsley, the
Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer on
December 31, 2007, and (ii) each of the other most
highly compensated executive officers of the Company during 2007
(collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).
In connection with the consummation of the Merger Transaction,
Renegy’s financial statement presentation for fiscal 2007
includes the results of operations for the combined Snowflake
entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
for Renegy on a consolidated basis for the fourth quarter of
2007. Data presented in the Summary Compensation Table
represents compensation for the entire fiscal year. In the
supporting footnotes which follow, disclosures of amounts by
period are provided (i.e., first three quarters and fourth
quarter).
(2)
Represents bonuses accrued in the year of service whether paid
during the year of service or thereafter.
(3)
Amounts set forth in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns
represent the aggregate amount recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes, disregarding the estimate of
forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions, but
otherwise computed in accordance with the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No 123, as amended by
SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based
Payment,”(“SFAS 123(R)”) based on the
assumptions set forth in Note 6 to the Company’s
consolidated financial statements as filed herein. There were no
equity award forfeitures by the Named Executive Officers during
Fiscal 2007. Restricted stock awards are computed in accordance
with SFAS 123(R) based on the closing stock price on the
grant date. These amounts reflect the Company’s accounting
expense for these awards, and do not reflect the actual value
that will be recognized by the Named Executive Officers.
(4)
Includes 401(k) matching contributions accrued in the year of
service whether paid during the year of service or the following
year.
(5)
During the first three quarters of 2007, Mr. Worsley was
not paid a salary. Amounts under “Salary” consist of
(i) $0 for the first three quarters and (ii) $69,231
for the fourth quarter. Amounts under “All Other
Compensation” include contributions by the Company of $52
for supplemental life insurance premiums.
(6)
During 2006, Mr. Worsley did not receive a salary or other
benefits for his service.
(7)
Amounts under “Salary” include $225,000 paid by
Catalytica for the first three quarters. Amounts under “All
Other Compensation” include contributions by the Company of
$1,260 for supplemental life insurance premiums;
(ii) $4,138 for supplemental disability insurance premiums;
(iii) $225,000 for retention bonuses; and (iv) $8,100
for 401k employer contributions.
(8)
During 2006, all of Mr. Zack’s compensation was paid
by Catalytica. Amounts under “All Other Compensation”
include contribution by Catalytica of (i) $12,320 under its
401(k) plan; (ii) $1,260 for supplemental life insurance
premiums and (iii) $4,638 for supplemental disability
premiums.
(9)
Amounts under “Salary” include $118,750 paid by the
Snowflake entities for the first three quarters. Amounts under
“All Other Compensation” include contributions by the
Company of (i) $52 for supplemental life insurance
premiums; and (ii) $1,442 for medical insurance premiums.
(10)
During 2006, all of Mr. Higginson’s compensation was
paid by the Snowflake entities. Amounts under “All Other
Compensation” include $39 for supplemental life insurance
premiums.
The material terms of each Named Executive Officer’s
employment agreement or arrangement is set forth below under
“Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control
Arrangements.”
The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards at
the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 held by
each of the Named Executive Officers:
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Equity
Awards:
Incentive
Market
Plan
Value or
Equity
Awards:
Payout
Incentive
Market
Number of
Value of
Plan
Number of
Value of
Unearned
Unearned
Awards:
Shares
Shares
Shares,
Shares,
Number of
Number of
or Units
or Units
Units or
Units or
Securities
Number of
Securities
of Stock
of Stock
Other
Other
Underlying
Securities
Underlying
That
That
Rights
Rights
Unexercised
Underlying
Unexercised
Option
Have
Have
that Have
That
Options (#)
Unexercised
Unearned
Exercise
Option
Not
Not
Not
Have Not
Exercisable
Options (#)
Options
Price
Expiration
Vested
Vested
Vested
Vested
Name
(1)
Unexercisable
(#)
($)
Date
(#)
($)
(#)
($)
Robert M. Worsley
714
Robert W. Zack
1,428
24.85
4/1/2012
12,142
19.32
2/10/2013
1,428
24.14
8/29/2013
9,999
28.22
1/26/2014
3,656
16.87
1/31/2015
27,142
8.05
3/22/2016
7,142
9.45
11/6/2016
11,828
13.44
1/11/2017
Scott K. Higginson
7,143
(2)
8.15
10/1/2017
(1)
In connection with the Merger Transaction on October 1,2007, all outstanding stock options and unvested restricted
stock units fully vested immediately prior to the merger. The
options subject to acceleration remain exercisable throughout
the original term of each option award. However, executives that
remain employed with the Company have agreed not to exercise
their options until they would otherwise come due under the
terms of their options agreements, which would be six months
after the closing of the Merger Transaction.
(2)
Exercisable only upon stockholder approval of the 2007 Plan.
Employment
Contracts and Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control
Arrangements
On September 22, 2005, Catalytica entered into an agreement
with Robert W. Zack that provides, among other things, that if
Mr. Zack is involuntarily terminated (as defined in his
agreement), he shall receive 200% of his annual compensation
(including annual target bonus) and subsidized COBRA premiums
for up to a maximum of eighteen (18) months. Further, if
Mr. Zack is involuntarily terminated due to a change of
control event (as defined in his agreement), he shall receive,
in severance and non-competition payments, 200% of his annual
compensation (including annual target bonus) plus a pro rata
cash payment of the current year target bonus award, continued
employee benefits for up to two years from the date of this
involuntary termination, and full acceleration of any unvested
portion of any stock options or restricted stock units held by
Mr. Zack. Additionally, in the event of a change of control
event where Mr. Zack is not terminated, he shall receive
cash retention payments equal to 100% of his annual compensation
(including annual target bonus) in three installments over a
twelve month period.
On March 23, 2007, the Company entered into an Amended and
Restated Employment Agreement with Robert W. Zack. The agreement
provides for a base salary of $300,000, which may be increased
in 2008 and subsequent years by the Company’s Board of
Directors or the Compensation Committee. In addition,
Mr. Zack will be eligible to receive an annual bonus on
account of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year performance with
a target payment equal to 125% of his base salary. In 2008 and
subsequent years, the target bonus may be increased by the
Company’s Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
The target bonus may be paid in a combination of cash and equity
compensation, provided that the cash component will be no less
than 50% of the bonus. The agreement also provides that if
Mr. Zack is involuntarily terminated other than for cause
(as such terms are defined in the agreement) and not in
connection with a change of control of the Company, he will
receive an aggregate cash amount equal to 200% of his annual
compensation (an amount equal to the greater of
Mr. Zack’s base salary for the twelve (12) months
preceding a change in control plus his target bonus for the same
period, or (ii) Mr. Zack’s base salary on an
annualized basis and his target bonus as of the termination
date) plus a pro rata cash payment of his target bonus and
subsidized COBRA premiums for up to a maximum of eighteen
(18) months. Further if Mr. Zack is involuntarily
terminated in connection with a change of control event (as
defined in the agreement), he will receive a cash payment in an
amount equal to 200% of his annual compensation plus a pro rata
cash payment of his target bonus, less any change of control
retention payments (as described below) already paid to him.
Mr. Zack will also receive continued employee benefits for
up to two years from the date of his involuntary termination,
and accelerated vesting for all of his unvested stock options or
restricted stock (including restricted stock units). In the
event of a change of control where Mr. Zack is employed by
the acquiring entity in the position of Chief Financial Officer
or a greater position, he will receive change of control
retention payments as follows:
1/3
of his annual compensation on the date of the change of control,
another
1/3
of his annual compensation six months following the change of
control and a final
1/3
of his annual compensation one year following the change of
control, subject to Mr. Zack’s continuous employment
by the acquiring entity through such dates. This Amended and
Restated Employment Agreement superseded the Employment
Agreement entered into between Robert Zack and Catalytica dated
September 22, 2005.
On May 8, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment
Agreement with Robert M. Worsley. The agreement provides for a
base salary of $300,000, which may be increased in 2008 and
subsequent years by the Company’s Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Worsley’s initial term of
employment will be three years, and will continue for successive
one year terms unless earlier terminated pursuant to the
employment agreement termination provisions or either Renegy or
Mr. Worsley provides written notice of termination of
employment not less than 120 days prior to the end of the
initial term or any additional term. In addition,
Mr. Worsley will be eligible to receive an annual bonus on
account of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year performance with
a target payment equal to 125% of his base salary. The target
bonus may be paid to Mr. Worsley in a mixture of cash and
equity compensation, as determined by the Compensation Committee
in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the cash
component shall be no less than 50% of the target bonus;
provided, further, that for the 2007 fiscal year, the mixture of
the 125% of the base salary payable as the target tonus shall be
50% cash and 75% equity compensation. In 2008 and subsequent
years, the target bonus may be increased by the Company’s
Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. The agreement
also provides that if Mr. Worsley is involuntarily
terminated other than for cause (as such terms are defined in
the agreement), or if Mr. Worsley terminates his employment
for good reason (as defined in the agreement), he is entitled to
(i) a severance payment equal to two years of his yearly
salary in effect on the termination date; (ii) a pro-rated
portion of the amount of incentive compensation he would earn
for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs if the
results of operations of Renegy for the period from the
beginning of such fiscal year to the termination date were
annualized; (iii) full vesting of all outstanding stock
options held by him; and (iv) subsidized COBRA premiums for
up to a maximum of eighteen months. Further, if Mr. Worsley
is terminated during a pending change of control or within
24 months after a change of control, or if he terminates
his employment for good reason within 24 months after a
change of control, he is entitled to receive as a
change-in-control
payment: (i) an amount equal to two years of his yearly
salary in effect on the termination date; (ii) the maximum
amount of incentive compensation which he could earn for the
fiscal year in which the termination date occurs; and
(iii) full vesting of all outstanding stock options held by
him.
On January 22, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved a
salary increase for Mr. Worsley from $300,000 to $400,000,
effective March 1, 2008.
On May 8, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment
Agreement with Scott K. Higginson. The agreement provides for a
base salary of $200,000, which may be increased in 2008 and
subsequent years by the Company’s Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Higginson’s initial term
of employment will be three years, and will continue for
successive one year terms unless earlier terminated pursuant to
the employment agreement termination provisions or either Renegy
or Mr. Higginson provides written notice of termination of
employment not less than 120 days prior to the end of the
initial term or any additional term. In connection with the
consummation of the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
Mr. Higginson was issued 7,143 shares of common stock
of Renegy and 7,143
stock options of Renegy at an exercise price equal to the market
price of Renegy’s common stock on the date of grant
(October 1, 2007). In addition, Mr. Higginson will be
eligible to receive an annual bonus on account of the
Company’s 2007 fiscal year performance with a target
payment equal to 100% of his base salary. The target bonus may
be paid to Mr. Higginson in a mixture of cash and equity
compensation, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its
sole discretion; provided, however, that the cash component
shall be no less than 50% of the target bonus; provided,
further, that for the 2007 fiscal year, the mixture of the 100%
of the base salary payable as the target tonus shall be 50% cash
and 50% equity compensation and shall be pro-rated for the
portion of 2007 during which Mr. Higginson is employed. In
2008 and subsequent years, the target bonus may be increased by
the Company’s Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee. The agreement also provides that if
Mr. Higginson is involuntarily terminated other than for
cause (as such terms are defined in the agreement), or if
Mr. Higginson terminates his employment for good reason (as
defined in the agreement), he is entitled to (i) a
severance payment equal to two years of his yearly salary in
effect on the termination date; (ii) a pro-rated portion of
the amount of incentive compensation he would earn for the
fiscal year in which the termination occurs if the results of
operations of Renegy for the period from the beginning of such
fiscal year to the termination date were annualized;
(iii) full vesting of all outstanding stock options held by
him; and (iv) subsidized COBRA premiums for up to a maximum
of eighteen months. Further, if Mr. Higginson is terminated
during a pending change of control or within 24 months
after a change of control, or if he elects to terminates his
employment within 24 months after a change of control, he
is entitled to receive as a
change-in-control
payment: (i) an amount equal to two years of his yearly
salary in effect on the termination date; (ii) the maximum
amount of incentive compensation which he could earn for the
fiscal year in which the termination date occurs; and
(iii) full vesting of all outstanding stock options held by
him.
On February 19, 2008, we agreed to an employment
arrangement with Mr. Smith which provides for an annualized
base salary of $350,000. Mr. Smith will be eligible for
annual cash and equity target bonuses equal to 50% and 75%,
respectively, of his base salary. Mr. Smith also will
receive a signing bonus of $100,000, payable at $10,000 per
month during the first 10 months of employment.
Mr. Smith also will receive a relocation allowance of
$75,000, and $50,000 plus up to 15 months of
Mr. Smith’s monthly mortgage payments (not to exceed
$45,000) upon the sale of his residence in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. In addition, Mr. Smith received an option to
acquire 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock
on the date of the commencement of his employment (March 4,2008) which will vest ratably over a 48 month period.
Mr. Smith’s employment arrangement also provides that
he will receive severance equal to one year’s salary if he
is terminated without good cause and two year’s salary if
he is terminated without good cause in the event of a change in
control.
Unless otherwise determined by our Board of Directors, the 2007
Equity Incentive Plan provides that in the event of a merger or
“Change in Control,” as defined in the 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan, if the successor corporation does not assume or
substitute an equivalent option or right will result in the
automatic acceleration of granted awards (such that they become
exercisable in full).
COMPENSATION
OF DIRECTORS
The following table describes the compensation paid to the
members of our Board of Directors in the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007:
We report in this column the cash value of board retainer fees,
committee chair fees, and board and committee meeting fees
earned by each non-employee director in 2007 irrespective of
whether they were paid in 2007. The cash value includes payments
earned for serving as directors and committee members for
Catalytica.
(2)
On January 25, 2007, all board members were granted 2,165
restricted stock units each (adjusted for merger exchange ratio)
by Catalytica. In addition, Richard A. Abdoo was granted 5,195
restricted stock units (adjusted for merger exchange ratio) by
Catalytica in payment of consulting services to be provided by
Mr. Abdoo during 2007.
(3)
In connection with the Merger Transaction on October 1,2007, all outstanding stock options and unvested restricted
stock units fully vested immediately prior to the merger. As a
result, all unrecognized valuation amounts related to these
stock awards was expensed in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
Effective for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2007,
directors of Catalytica who were not officers of Catalytica each
received an annual retainer for their services in the amount of
$30,000, plus reimbursement of expenses, and the Chairman of the
Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board of Catalytica received
additional annual compensation of $45,000 and $40,000,
respectively. Upon consummation of the Merger Transaction,
effective October 1, 2007, directors who are not officers
of the Company each receive an annual retainer for their
services in the amount of $30,000, plus reimbursement of
expenses, and the Lead Independent Director of the Board
receives additional annual compensation of $40,000. Directors
who are employed by the Company do not receive any compensation
for their Board activities. Committee chairs and committee
members receive additional compensation of $2,500 and $1,500,
respectively, per committee meeting.
Item 11.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Securities
Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation
Plans
The “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity
Compensation Plans” table contained in Item 5 of this
annual report is incorporated herein by reference.
Security
Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2007
(except for the outstanding shares, which is as of
March 24, 2008), certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock by
(i) each person or entity known by the Company to own
beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of
the Company’s common stock, (ii) each director or
nominee for director of the Company, (iii) each of the
Company’s Named Executive Officers listed in the Summary
Compensation Table and (iv) all current Executive Officers
and directors as a group.
The table is based on information supplied by our officers,
directors, principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G and
other documents filed with the SEC. The number of shares of our
common stock beneficially owned by each 5% stockholder, director
or executive officer is determined under the rules of the SEC.
Under the SEC rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as
to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting
power or investment power and also includes any shares of common
stock that the individual or entity has the right to acquire
within 60 days after December 31, 2007 through the
exercise of stock options, and any reference in the footnotes to
this table to shares subject to stock options refers only to
stock options that are so exercisable. For purposes of computing
the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by
each individual or entity, all shares of common stock subject to
options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
after December 31, 2007 are deemed to be outstanding for
the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the
individual or entity holding such options, but are not deemed to
be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any
other individual or entity. Unless otherwise indicated below, we
believe that each stockholder named in the table has sole or
shared voting and investment power with respect to all shares
beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property
laws. The inclusion in the table of any shares deemed
beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of
beneficial ownership of those shares. Unless otherwise indicated
in the table, the address of each individual or entity listed in
the table is Renegy Holdings, Inc., 301 W. Warner
Road, Tempe, Arizona85284.
All current executive officers and Directors as a group
(8 persons)(12)
3,751,812
59.27
%
*
Less than 1%
(1)
Based upon 6,207,812 shares of common stock outstanding as
of March 24, 2008.
(2)
Based solely on information as of December 31, 2007 as set
forth in Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2008.
Includes 128,528 shares of common stock owned by Special
Situations Cayman Fund, L.P. (“SSCF”),
36,158 shares of common stock owned by Special Situations
Fund III, L.P. (“SSF”) and 406,710 shares of
common stock owned by Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P.
(“SSFQ”). AWM Investment Company, Inc.
(“AWM”) serves as general partner of SSCF, SSF and
SSFQ and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares
of Company common stock held by these entities. Austin W. Marxe
(“Marxe”) and David M. Greenhouse
(“Greenhouse”) are the controlling principals of AWM,
the general partner of and investment adviser to SSCF. AWM also
serves as the general partner of MGP Advisers Limited
Partnership, the general partner of and investment adviser to
SSF and the general partner of SSFQ. AWM serves as the
investment adviser to SSFQ.
Based solely on information as of October 1, 2007 as set
forth in Schedule 13D filed on October 11, 2007.
Consists of 427,969 shares owned by Morgan Stanley Capital
Partners III, L.P. (“MSCP III”) and 43,817 shares
owned by MSCP III 892 Investors, L.P. (“MSCP III
892”). Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement between certain
affiliates of Morgan Stanley and Metalmark Capital LLC
(“Metalmark”) and Metalmark Subadvisor LLC, Metalmark
agreed to manage MSCP III and MSCP III 892 on a subadvisory
basis, and as a result, may be deemed to beneficially own
427,969 shares. Metalmark is an independent private equity
firm managed by Howard I. Hoffen and senior team members
formerly from Morgan Stanley Capital Partners. Mr. Hoffen
disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares owned by these
entities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(4)
Based solely on information as of October 1, 2007 as set
forth in Schedule 13G filed on October 11, 2007. The
aggregate 324,997 shares are owned directly by Farallon
Capital Partners, L.P., Farallon Capital Institutional Partners,
L.P., Farallon Capital Institutional Partners II, L.P., Farallon
Capital Institutional Partners III, L.P. and Tinicum Partners,
L.P. (collectively, the “Partnerships”) and by a
discretionary account (the “Managed Account”) managed
by Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C. (“FCMLLC”). As
the general partner to each of the Partnerships, Farallon
Partners, L.L.C. (“FPLLC”) may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the Company’s securities held by each
of the Partnerships. FCMLLC, as the registered investment
advisor to the Managed Account, may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the Company’s securities held by the
Managed Account. Each of Noonday G.P. (U.S.), L.L.C.
(“NGPUS”) and Noonday Asset Management, L.P.
(“NAMLP”), as a sub-investment adviser to the
Partnerships and the Managed Account, may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the Company’s securities held by the
Partnerships and the Managed Account. As the general partner of
NAMLP, Noonday Capital, L.L.C. (“NCLLC”) may be deemed
to be the beneficial owner of the Issuer’s securities held
by the Partnerships and the Managed Account.
(5)
Includes (i) 3,553,157 shares of common stock held by
the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable Trust, of
which Mr. Worsley serves as trustee and
(ii) 714 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of options held by Mr. Worsley, which are exercisable
within 60 days of December 31, 2007.
(6)
Includes (i) 9,660 shares of common stock held by
Mr. Zack and (ii) 74,765 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Zack, which
are exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2007.
(7)
Includes (i) 2,165 shares held by Dr. Levy,
(ii) 39,807 shares of common stock held by the Levy
Family Trust, of which Dr. Levy serves as trustee,
(iii) 958 shares of common stock held by the Polly
Jean Cusumano Trust, of which Dr. Levy serves as trustee,
and (iv) 25,142 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of options held by Dr. Levy, which are exercisable
within 60 days of December 31, 2007. Dr. Levy
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Polly
Jean Cusumano Trust.
(8)
Includes (i) 9,430 shares held by Mr. Abdoo,
(ii) 786 shares held by the Richard A. Abdoo and Joan
F. Abdoo revocable trust, and (iii) 4,999 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options by
Mr. Abdoo, which options are exercisable within
60 days of December 31, 2007.
(9)
Includes 7,143 shares of common stock held by
Mr. Higginson.
(10)
Includes (i) 3,929 shares of common stock held by
Dr. Ellis and (ii) 7,710 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of options by Dr. Ellis, which are
exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2007.
(11)
Includes (i) 2,165 shares held by Dr. Tierney and
(ii) 9,282 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of options by Dr. Tierney, which are exercisable
within 60 days of December 31, 2007.
(12)
Includes 122,612 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of options by current executive officers and directors,
which are exercisable within 60 days of December 31,2007.
Item 12.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions
with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control
Persons
We entered into the Contribution and Merger Agreement on
May 8, 2007 by and among (i) us, (ii) Catalytica,
(iii) the Snowflake entities, (iv) Merger Sub,
(v) the Worsleys, and (vi) the Worsley Trust. At a
special stockholders meeting held on September 27, 2007,
Catalytica stockholders holding a majority of the Catalytica
common stock outstanding approved adoption of the Contribution
and Merger Agreement, and, on October 1, 2007, the parties
to the Contribution and Merger Agreement completed the
transactions contemplated thereby. In the transaction,
Catalytica and the Snowflake entities combined their businesses
through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Catalytica, with
Catalytica surviving the merger, and the concurrent contribution
to Renegy by the Worsley Trust, the beneficial owners of the
Snowflake entities, of all of the outstanding equity interests
of the Snowflake entities. As a result of the Merger
Transaction, Catalytica and the Snowflake entities now operate
under Renegy as wholly-owned subsidiaries. In connection with
the consummation of the Merger Transaction, Catalytica
terminated its registration under the Exchange Act with its
filing of Form 15 on October 2, 2007.
Pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
each outstanding share of common stock of Catalytica was
converted into the right to receive one-seventh (1/7th) of a
share of Renegy common stock. Additionally, each outstanding
option to purchase Catalytica common stock was assumed by Renegy
and now represents an option to acquire shares of Renegy common
stock, subject to the conversion ratio, on the terms and
conditions set forth in the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
Each outstanding Catalytica restricted stock unit award was
accelerated immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger
Transaction and was treated in the same manner as other shares
of Catalytica common stock which were outstanding immediately
prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction.
Further, pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, the Worsley Trust received 3,774,048 shares of
our common stock and warrants to purchase up to
2,473,023 shares of our common stock in connection with the
Merger Transaction. The warrants have an exercise price of
$16.38 per share, provide for vesting in three tranches
conditioned upon the registrant’s achievement of certain
renewable energy-related milestones, and expire at specified
times no later than six years following the closing of the
Merger Transaction. Upon the closing of the Merger Transaction,
the Catalytica stockholders held approximately 41.3% of our
outstanding stock and the Worsley Trust held approximately
58.7%, which would increase to approximately 70% if the warrants
issued to the Worsley Trust are exercised in full.
On November 7, 2007, we consummated the sale of our
SCR-Tech subsidiary, a provider of emissions compliance services
for coal-fired power plants, to CoaLogix Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Acorn Energy, Inc. In accordance with the terms of
the Contribution and Merger Agreement, net proceeds received in
excess of a threshold amount as defined in the agreement were to
be reflected in a reduction of the number of shares of our
common stock issued to the Worsley Trust. Net proceeds from the
sale of SCR-Tech were approximately $1.8 million in excess
of the threshold. Accordingly, the number of shares issued to
the Worsley Trust was reduced by approximately 1.5%, thereby
reducing the percentage of our common stock held by the Worsley
Trust to 57.2%, as compared to 58.7% at the effective time of
the Merger Transaction.
In connection with the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
Worsley has agreed to indemnify Catalytica and Renegy and our
respective affiliates, directors, officers and employees from
and against any and all damages arising out of, resulting from
or in any way related to a breach of, or the failure to perform
or satisfy any of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements made by any of the Snowflake entities
and/or
Worsley in the Contribution and Merger Agreement. Renegy and
Catalytica have agreed to indemnify Worsley from and against any
and all damages arising out of, resulting from or in any way
related to (i) a breach of, or the failure to perform or
satisfy any of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements made by Catalytica in the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, and (ii) the construction cost guarantee of
Worsley to CoBank up to $2 million. The respective
obligations of the parties to indemnify for any breaches of
their respective representations and warranties will survive
until April 1, 2009, except for any indemnification claim
resulting from fraud or intentional misrepresentation. No
indemnification is required until the aggregate liability for a
party exceeds $250,000, and the indemnity obligations of each
party are subject to a $10 million cap, except in the case
of fraud or intentional misrepresentation. The indemnification
obligations of Worsley may be satisfied in cash or shares of our
common stock based on a value of $12.25 per share, rounded up to
the nearest whole share. Renegy’s obligation to indemnify
Worsley may be satisfied by paying cash or shares of Renegy
common stock, “grossed up” to reflect Worsley’s
anticipated 58.5% ownership of our outstanding common stock,
which percentage was projected at the time of execution of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement to exist at consummation of
the Contribution and Merger Agreement using the treasury stock
method. Specifically, Renegy may pay cash to Worsley in an
amount equal to (i) the quotient obtained by dividing
(A) the amount of the damages for which indemnification is
being made by (B) 0.415, less (ii) the amount of such
damages (the “adjusted damages”) or issue to the
Worsley Trust such number
of Renegy shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the adjusted damages by (ii) $12.25, rounded up to
the nearest whole share.
In addition, in connection with the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the Worsleys for any
claims arising under their guarantee to Salt River Project
relating to the payment of all sums owed by Snowflake to Salt
River Project under its power purchase agreement with Snowflake
and for maintaining a net worth of at least $35 million.
Pursuant to the Contribution and Merger Agreement, we agreed to
pay the first $2.0 million of Project Costs as defined in
the CoBank Credit Agreement for the Snowflake plant that exceed
the approximately $67.3 million Project Cap as defined in
the CoBank Credit Agreement. The Worsleys agreed to pay to us
the amount by which Project Costs exceed the sum of the Project
Cap and $2.0 million in sufficient time for us to be able
to pay such excess Project Costs pursuant to the Overrun
Guaranty. A committee of independent directors (the
“Special Committee”), acting on our behalf, has the
authority to enforce the Worsleys’ obligations under the
Overrun Guaranty.
In February 2008, we issued a press release announcing that we
expect the Project Costs for the Snowflake plant to exceed the
Project Cap by approximately $12.5 million. Pursuant to a
letter agreement between us and the Worsleys (the “Letter
Agreement”), which constitutes an amendment to the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and the Overrun Guaranty, we,
with the approval of the Special Committee, and the Worsleys
have agreed that, notwithstanding the provisions of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and the Overrun Guaranty, we
will be responsible for the payment of an additional
$6.0 million of capital costs incurred beyond the Project
Cap that have been, or may be, incurred by us and the
$2.0 million already payable by us as described above. We
believe that the $6.0 million in additional capital costs
will enhance the Snowflake plant and further increase the
efficiency, reliability and long-term operating performance of
the plant. The Letter Agreement provides that we will have no
obligation to pay for any Project Costs beyond the
$2.0 million previously agreed to and the $6.0 million
described in this paragraph. Pursuant to a Sponsor Guaranty,
dated September 1, 2006 between R. Worsley and C. Worsley
and CoBank, ACB (the “Sponsor Guaranty”), R. Worsley
and C. Worsley have guaranteed the payment of all Project Costs
in excess of the Project Cap. The Letter Agreement provides that
the Worsleys will deposit a minimum of $5.0 million in cash
in our general operating bank account by March 5, 2008 to
be applied against the Worsleys’ obligations pursuant to
the Sponsor Guaranty and Overrun Guaranty, which deposit has
been made.
In accordance with the terms of the Letter Agreement, we entered
into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit
Agreement”) with the Worsleys pursuant to which the
Worsleys have agreed to lend us up to $6.0 million, which
may be drawn on by us beginning March 31, 2008 for general
working capital purposes, including to pay the capital costs
that we have agreed to pay as described above. Until
March 31, 2009, interest will accrue at the Prime Rate (as
reported by the Wall Street Journal) on the outstanding balance
of the loan, but will not be payable until the termination of
the loan. Commencing April 1, 2009, interest will accrue on
the unpaid balance of the loan and will be payable monthly by
us. The outstanding principal may be prepaid by us in whole or
part at any time without penalty, and any repaid amounts may be
re-borrowed by us. Any unpaid balance under the Credit Agreement
will be due on the date that is the earlier of March 31,2010 or such date that we are able to obtain alternative debt or
equity financing in the amount of at least $6.0 million,
unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement.
Also in accordance with the terms of the Letter Agreement, the
Worsleys agreed to personally guarantee a line of credit in an
amount of $6.0 million to be established for us at a bank
or other financial institution reasonably acceptable to us that
shall be on commercially reasonable terms that are acceptable to
us in our reasonable discretion. Upon the establishment of the
line of credit or at such time as we secure alternative debt or
equity financing in an amount of a minimum of $6.0 million,
the Worsleys obligation to provide a line of credit to us will
be released.
On March 28, 2008, we entered into a credit facility with
Comerica providing for up to $6.2 million in borrowings,
which facility was guaranteed by the Worsleys and the Worsley
Trust. As a result of the Comerica Credit Agreement, the Worsley
line of credit was terminated.
We have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the
Worsley Trust pursuant to which we have agreed, at our expense,
to prepare and file a registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
covering the resale from time to time of all of the shares of
our common stock issued to the Worsley Trust in connection with
the Merger Transaction as well as all shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the Worsley
Trust. We must prepare and file such registration statement upon
the request of the Worsley Trust at any time from and after
July 1, 2008, provided that we may delay any requested
registration for up to 60 consecutive days in any calendar year
(or 120 days in the aggregate in any calendar year) if and
for so long as certain conditions exist.
Effective January 1, 2007, Catalytica entered into a
one-year consulting agreement with Richard Abdoo, a member of
our Board of Directors. The agreement provided that
Mr. Abdoo will provide assistance to Catalytica and its
management with respect to its subsidiary, SCR-Tech, LLC,
including assisting on business strategy and customer matters.
The consulting agreement provided compensation to Mr. Abdoo
in the form of restricted stock units having a value on the date
of grant of January 25, 2007 of $60,000, rounded down to
the nearest whole share, with such units vesting monthly during
2007. Mr. Abdoo also was entitled to be reimbursed for
reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
him in rendering such services. The consulting agreement also
contained customary invention assignment, confidentiality and
other similar provisions. This agreement expired in connection
with the sale of SCR-Tech in November 2007.
Reference is made to Item 10 of this annual report under
the heading “EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION —
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control
Arrangements” for a description of employment relationships
and transactions involving executive officers of the Company,
and such description is incorporated herein by reference.
Independence
of Members of our Board of Directors and Committees
Our Board of Directors has determined that four of its five
current members — Richard A. Abdoo, William B. Ellis,
Ricardo B. Levy, and Susan F. Tierney — are
“independent,” as such term is defined in Marketplace
Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Market. No directors
are members of Committees of our Board of Directors who are not
independent under such Committee independence standards.
Item 13.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Notes
Description
2
.1
(1
)
Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2007
among the Registrant, Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc., Snowflake
Acquisition Corporation, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC,
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, Robert M. Worsley, Christi
M. Worsley and the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley
Revocable Trust.
2
.2
(1
)
Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 9, 2007 to
Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2007
among the Registrant, Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc., Snowflake
Acquisition Corporation, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC,
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, Robert M. Worsley, Christi
M. Worsley and the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley
Revocable Trust.
2
.3
(2
)
Amendment No. 2 dated as of September 20, 2007 to
Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2007,
as amended, among the Registrant, Catalytica Energy Systems,
Inc., Snowflake Acquisition Corporation, Renegy, LLC, Renegy
Trucking, LLC, Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, Robert M.
Worsley, Christi M. Worsley and the Robert M. Worsley and
Christi M. Worsley Revocable Trust.
Employment Agreement dated as of May 8, 2007 between the
Registrant and Robert M. Worsley.
10
.2
(4
)*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between
Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. and Robert W. Zack, effective as
of March 23, 2007.
10
.3
(4
)*
Acknowledgement Letter Agreement by and between Catalytica
Energy Systems, Inc. and Robert W. Zack, dated as of May 8,2007, concerning that certain Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement between the parties dated as of March 23, 2007.
Overrun Guaranty dated as of October 1, 2007 between the
Registrant and Robert M. and Christi M. Worsley.
10
.9
(7
)*
2007 Equity Incentive Plan.
10
.10
(7
)*
Form of Stock Option Agreement.
10
.11
(7
)*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
10
.12
(7
)*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement.
10
.13
(7
)*
Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. 1995 Stock Plan as amended and
restated as of August 31, 2005.
10
.14
(7
)*
Consulting Agreement between Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. and
Richard Abdoo, effective as of January 1, 2007.
10
.15
(7
)*
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and
executive officers and directors of Catalytica Energy Systems,
Inc.
10
.16
(7
)+
Second Amended and Restated Renewable Energy Purchase and Sale
Agreement, by and between Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC
and Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power
District, dated as of August 18, 2006.
10
.17
(7
)
Consent and Agreement, dated September 1, 2006, by and
among Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power
District, CoBank, ACB and Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC
10
.18
(7
)
Personal Guaranty Agreement, dated August 21, 2006, made by
Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley in favor of Salt River
Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District
10
.19
(7
)
Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC and Arizona Public Service
Company, dated as of September 6, 2005.
10
.20
(7
)+
Amended and Restated Transaction Confirmation, by and between
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC and Arizona Public Service
Company, dated as of August 16, 2006.
10
.21
(7
)
Standard Large Generator Interconnection Agreement, by and among
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, Arizona Public Service
Company and Abitibi Consolidated Sales Corporation, dated as of
November 1, 2006.
10
.22
(7
)
Service Agreement for Firm Point Point-To-Point Transmission
Service, dated July 10, 2006, by and between Arizona Public
Service Company and Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC
10
.23
(7
)
Consent and Agreement, dated August 16, 2006, by and
between Arizona Public Service Company and Snowflake White
Mountain Power, LLC for the benefit of CoBank, ACB.
10
.24
(7
)
Credit Agreement, by and among Snowflake White Mountain Power,
LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC, CoBank, ACB and the
Financial Institutions party thereto, dated as of
September 1, 2006.
10
.25
(7
)
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and among Snowflake
White Mountain Power, LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC and
CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent and Lender, dated as of
June 27, 2007.
10
.26
(7
)
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and among Snowflake
White Mountain Power, LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC and
CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent and Lender, dated as of
August 30, 2007.
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and among Snowflake
White Mountain Power, LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC and
CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent and Lender, dated as of
October 1, 2007
10
.28
(7
)
Construction Note, issued by Snowflake White Mountain Power,
LLC, Renegy, LLC and Renegy Trucking, LLC in favor of CoBank,
ACB, dated September 8, 2006.
10
.29
(7
)
Renegy Term Note, issued by Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC,
Renegy, LLC and Renegy Trucking, LLC in favor of CoBank, ACB,
dated September 8, 2006.
10
.30
(7
)
Revolving Note, issued by Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC,
Renegy, LLC and Renegy Trucking, LLC in favor of CoBank, ACB,
dated September 8, 2006.
10
.31
(7
)
Letter of Credit Note, issued by Snowflake White Mountain Power,
LLC, Renegy, LLC and Renegy Trucking, LLC in favor of CoBank,
ACB.
10
.32
(7
)
Security Agreement, by and among Snowflake White Mountain Power,
LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC, CoBank, ACB as
Collateral Agent, dated as of September 1, 2006.
10
.33
(7
)
Pledge Agreement, by and among the Registrant, Snowflake White
Mountain Power, LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC and
CoBank, ACB, dated as of October 1, 2007.
10
.34
(7
)
Bond Pledge Agreement, by and among Snowflake White Mountain
Power, LLC and CoBank, ACB, dated as of September 1, 2006.
10
.35
(7
)
Sponsor Guaranty, by and among Robert Worsley, Christi Worsley
and CoBank, ACB, dated as of September 1, 2006.
10
.36
(7
)
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. 2002
Master Agreement, by and between Snowflake White Mountain Power,
LLC and CoBank, ACB, dated as of September 1, 2006.
10
.37
(7
)
Loan Agreement dated September 1, 2006 between Industrial
Development Authority of the City of Show Low, AZ and Snowflake
White Mountain Power, LLC.
10
.38
(7
)
Indenture of Trust dated September 1, 2006 between The
Industrial Development Authority of the City of Show Low,
Arizona and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, N.A.
10
.39
(7
)
Tax Exemption Certificate and Agreement, by and among
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, The Industrial Development
Authority of the City of Show Low, Arizona and J.P. Morgan
Trust Company, N.A., dated as of September 8, 2006.
10
.40
(7
)
Bond Purchase Agreement, by and among Snowflake White Mountain
Power, LLC, The Industrial Development Authority of the City of
Show Low, Arizona and Thornton Farish, Inc., dated as of
September 7, 2006.
10
.41
(7
)
Remarketing Agreement, by and between Snowflake White Mountain
Power, LLC and Thornton Farish, Inc., dated as of
September 1, 2006.
10
.42
(7
)
Ground Lease Agreement, by and between Snowflake White Mountain
Power, LLC and Abitibi-Consolidated Sales Corp., dated as of
September 14, 2005.
10
.43
(7
)
Consent and Agreement, by and among Snowflake White Mountain
Power, LLC, Abitibi-Consolidated Sales Corp. and CoBank, ACB,
dated as of September 1, 2006.
10
.44
(7
)
Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement, by and between
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC and Abitibi-Consolidated
Sales Corp., dated as of August 2, 2007.
10
.45
(7
)
Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement, by and between
Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC and Abitibi-Consolidated
Sales Corp., dated as of August 23, 2007.
10
.46
(7
)
Agreement, by and between Renegy, LLC and Long Beach Shavings
Co., Inc., dated as of March 30, 2007.
10
.47
(7
)
Lease between Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. and Warner
Courtyards, LLC, effective August 29, 2006
10
.48
(7
)
Lease Extension Agreement between Catalytica Energy Systems,
Inc. and Warner Courtyards, LLC, dated June 18, 2007.
10
.49
(7
)
Lease between Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. and Warner
Courtyards, LLC, effective October 15, 2007.
10
.50
(7
)
Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between
Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
and Kawasaki Gas
Turbines-Americas.
License Agreement dated September 29, 2006 between
Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries,
Ltd.
10
.52
(7
)
Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 25, 2006 between
Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. and Eaton Corporation.
10
.53
(7
)
Lease Agreement dated December 16, 2002 between Clariant
Corporation and SCR-Tech, LLC, dated December 16, 2002, and
First Amendment to Lease Agreement between Clariant Corporation
and SCR-Tech, LLC, dated February 18, 2004.
10
.54
(7
)
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement between Clariant Corporation
and SCR-Tech, LLC, effective as of December 29, 2006.
10
.55
(6
)
Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Catalytica Energy
Systems, Inc., Acorn Factor, Inc., CoaLogix Inc., and with
respect to Article 11 only, the Registrant, dated as of
November 7, 2007.
10
.56
(8
)
Office Lease between Renegy Holdings, Inc. and Hayden Ferry
Lakeside, LLC, dated January 17, 2008.
10
.57
(9
)
Lease between Renegy Susanville, LLC and Sierra Pacific
Industries dated January 31, 2008.
10
.58
(9
)
Option Agreement between Renegy Susanville, LLC and Sierra
Pacific Industries dated January 31, 2008.
10
.59
(9
)
Letter Agreement, dated February 12, 2008, by and between
the Registrant and Robert M. Worsley, Christi M. Worsley and the
Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable Trust.
10
.60
(9
)
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated February 12, 2008, by and
among the Registrant, Robert M. Worsley, Christi M. Worsley and
the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable Trust.
10
.61
(9
)
SCR-Tech Sale and Share Ownership Reconciliation Agreement,
dated February 12, 2008, between the Company and the Robert
M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable Trust.
Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and among Snowflake
White Mountain Power, LLC, Renegy, LLC, Renegy Trucking, LLC and
CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent and Lender, dated as of
March 28, 2008.
10
.67
**
Extension Letter dated March 11, 2008 under Amended
Restated Transaction Confirmation by and between Snowflake White
Mountain Power, LLC and Arizona Public Service Company.
10
.68
**
First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Renewable Energy
Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between Snowflake White
Mountain Power, LLC and Salt River Project Agricultural
Improvement and Power District, dated as of March 27, 2008.
The following is a summary of the fees incurred by the Company
for the services of Ernst & Young LLP in 2007 and 2006.
Audit-
Audit
Related
All Other
Year
Fees(1)
Fees(2)
Tax Fees
Fees
2007
$
1,078,797
$
151,000
$
—
$
—
2006
$
279,087
$
—
$
—
$
—
(1)
Includes fees and expenses related to the fiscal year audit,
interim reviews and audit services provided in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings, irrespective of when the fees
and expenses were billed or paid or when the services were
rendered. 2007 fees include (i) three quarterly reviews for
Catalytica and the 2007 annual audit for the Company and
(ii) three quarterly reviews for 2006 and 2007 and annual
audits for 2005 and 2006 for the Snowflake entities performed in
connection with the Merger Transaction. This category also
includes fees associated with advice on accounting and audit
matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or
review services, and services provided in connection with our
SEC registration statements. 2006 fees include three quarterly
reviews and an annual audit for Catalytica for 2006.
(2)
Audit Related Fees includes fees for professional services,
including accounting consultations and other attestation
services not required by statute.
The Audit Committee has considered and determined that the fees
paid to Ernst & Young LLP for non-audit-related
services is compatible with maintaining
Ernst &Young’s independence. The Audit Committee
has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all
audit, audit-related, tax and other services performed by the
independent auditor and all fees of Ernst & Young LLP
for 2007 and 2006 were approved in advance by the Audit
Committee. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit
Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services.
Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved
with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the
permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to
perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of
the Audit Committee authority to approve permitted services
provided that the Chair reports any decisions to the Committee
at its next scheduled meeting.
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Renegy Holdings, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of
Renegy Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the
three month period then ended. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an
audit of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control
over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of Renegy Holdings, Inc. at December 31,2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its
cash flows for the three month period ended December 31,2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Renegy Holdings, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of
operations, members’ equity and cash flows of Snowflake
White Mountain Power, LLC; Renegy, LLC; and Renegy Trucking, LLC
(collectively, the “Company”) for the nine month
period ended September 30, 2007 and for the year ended
December 31, 2006. These combined financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an
audit of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control
over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the combined results
of operations and cash flows of Snowflake White Mountain Power,
LLC; Renegy, LLC; and Renegy Trucking, LLC for the nine month
period ended September 30, 2007 and the year ended
December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
Formation and Operations of the
Company. Renegy Holdings, Inc.
(“Renegy,” the “Company,”“we,”“our,” or “us”) was incorporated on
May 1, 2007 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Catalytica
Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Catalytica”), for purposes of completing the
transaction contemplated by the Contribution and Merger
Agreement (the “Contribution and Merger Agreement”)
dated as of May 8, 2007, as amended, by and among
(i) the Company, (ii) Catalytica, (iii) Snowflake
Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”’),
(iv) Renegy, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company
(“Renegy LLC”), (v) Renegy Trucking, LLC, an
Arizona limited liability company (“Renegy Trucking”),
(vi) Snowflake White Mountain Power, LLC, an Arizona
limited liability company (“Snowflake” and, together
with Renegy LLC and Renegy Trucking, the “Snowflake
entities”), (vii) Robert M. Worsley (“R.
Worsley” or “Mr. Worsley”),
(viii) Christi M. Worsley (“C. Worsley” and
together with R. Worsley, the “Worsleys”) and
(ix) the Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley Revocable
Trust (the “Worsley Trust” and, together with R.
Worsley and C. Worsley, “Worsley”).
From inception (May 1, 2007) through
September 30, 2007, Renegy had nominal assets and no
material operating activities other than being a party of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement and de minimis financing
activity relating to fees for the registration of shares of its
stock issuable under the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
At a special stockholders meeting held on September 27,2007, Catalytica stockholders holding a majority of the
Catalytica common stock outstanding approved adoption of the
Contribution and Merger Agreement, and following the completion
of the quarter, on October 1, 2007, the parties to the
Contribution and Merger Agreement completed the transaction
pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
In the transaction, Catalytica and the Snowflake entities
combined their businesses through the merger of Merger Sub with
and into Catalytica, with Catalytica surviving the merger, and
the concurrent contribution to Renegy by the Worsley Trust, the
beneficial owners of the Snowflake entities, of all of the
outstanding equity interests of the Snowflake entities (the
“Merger Transaction”). As a result of the Merger
Transaction, Catalytica and the Snowflake entities became
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Renegy. In connection with the
consummation of the Merger Transaction, Catalytica terminated
its registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with
its filing of Form 15 on October 2, 2007.
Pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement,
each outstanding share of common stock of Catalytica was
converted into the right to receive one-seventh (1/7th) of a
share of Renegy common stock. Additionally, each outstanding
option to purchase Catalytica common stock was assumed by Renegy
and now represents an option to acquire shares of Renegy common
stock, subject to the conversion ratio, on the terms and
conditions set forth in the Contribution and Merger Agreement.
Each outstanding Catalytica restricted stock unit award was
accelerated immediately prior to the consummation of the
Transaction and was treated in the same manner as other shares
of Catalytica common stock which were outstanding immediately
prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction.
Further, pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, the Worsley Trust, a trust controlled by R. Worsley
and C. Worsley, received 3,774,048 shares of Renegy’s
common stock and warrants to purchase up to
2,473,023 shares of Renegy’s common stock in
connection with the Merger Transaction. The warrants have an
exercise price of $16.38 per share, provide for vesting in three
tranches conditioned upon the Company’s achievement of
certain renewable energy-related milestones, and expire at
specified times no later than six years following the closing of
the Merger Transaction. Upon the closing of the Merger
Transaction, Catalytica stockholders held approximately 41.3% of
Renegy’s outstanding stock and the Worsley Trust held
approximately 58.7%, which would increase to approximately 70%
if the warrants issued to the Worsley Trust are exercised in
full.
In accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business
Combinations,” the Snowflake entities were considered
to have acquired Catalytica. Accordingly, the purchase price was
allocated among the fair values of the assets acquired and
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
liabilities assumed of Catalytica, which is described more fully
in Note 3; and the historical results of the Snowflake
entities became the basis of comparative historical information
of the combined company. Although the Company continued as the
surviving legal entity after the Merger Transaction, the
accompanying information presents the results of Snowflake
preceding the Merger Transaction (“Predecessor”) and
the periods since the Company’s inception
(“Successor”). The Company had no substantive activity
from May 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007. All references
to the three months ended December 31, 2007 refer to
results of the Company. All references to the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and year ended December 31, 2006,
refer to the predecessor’s results.
On November 7, 2007, the Company consummated the sale of
its SCR-Tech subsidiary, a provider of emissions compliance
services for coal-fired power plants, to CoaLogix Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Acorn Energy, Inc. In accordance with
the terms of the Contribution and Merger Agreement, net proceeds
received in excess of a threshold amount as defined in the
agreement were to be reflected in a reduction of the number of
shares of Renegy common stock issued to the Worsley Trust. Net
proceeds from the sale of SCR-Tech were approximately
$1.8 million in excess of the threshold. Accordingly, the
number of shares issued to the Worsley Trust was reduced by
approximately 1.5% (220,891 shares), thereby reducing the
percentage of Renegy common stock held by the Worsley Trust to
57.2%, as compared to 58.7% at the effective time of the Merger
Transaction.
The Snowflake entities were formed as Arizona limited liability
companies in September 2004. Each of the Snowflake entities were
organized to run in perpetuity or until terminated by the Board
of Managers and only one class of membership existed for each of
the entities.
Description of Business. Renegy is a renewable
energy company focused on acquiring, developing and operating a
growing portfolio of biomass to electricity power generation
facilities to address an increasing demand for economical power
relying on alternative energy sources. The Company seeks to
rapidly grow its portfolio of renewable energy assets within a
five-year period through the acquisition of existing biomass to
electricity facilities (both operating and idle), in addition to
the development, construction and operation of new facilities.
Other business activities include an established fuel
aggregation business, which collects and transports forest
thinning and woody waste biomass fuel to our power plants, and
which sell logs, lumber, shaved wood products and other high
value wood by-products to help reduce the cost of fuel for our
primary business operations.
The Company’s first project is a 24 megawatt
(“MW”) biomass plant which is currently under
construction near Snowflake, Arizona (the “Snowflake
plant”). This biomass to electricity facility, which is
scheduled to begin operating in the second quarter of 2008, has
15- and
20-year
power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) in place with
Arizona Public Service Co. (“APS”) and Salt River
Project (“SRP”), respectively, Arizona’s two
largest electric utility companies. The PPAs provide that all of
the power generated over the respective term is pre-sold for the
length of each respective PPA.
In November 2007, the Company acquired an idle biomass plant in
Susanville, California. The Company currently estimates this
13 MW plant could be fully operational by the end of 2008,
subject to the prospects and timing associated with securing
financing necessary to refurbish the plant, obtaining any
required construction, operation and environmental permits,
identifying and securing necessary fuel sources at a
cost-effective rate, entering into a PPA for the power output of
the plant, and other activities necessary to restart and operate
the plant.
The Company seeks to become a leading biomass to electricity
independent power producer (“IPP”) in North America
utilizing wood waste as a primary fuel source. Renegy plans to
continue seeking strategic growth opportunities; including the
acquisitions of additional biomass to electricity power
generating facilities and related businesses, and the
construction of new biomass power plants. The Company also plans
to continually explore opportunities to expand our fuel
aggregation business to support future biomass power facilities.
Renegy has already identified and begun to explore multiple
additional biomass to electricity project opportunities totaling
more than one gigawatt of power output as well as strategic
business acquisition opportunities that complement its current
business activities, build upon its core competencies, and
strengthen its market position.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Operations and Financing.The Company and its
Predecessor have incurred significant losses and negative cash
flows since inception. The Company has financed its operations
and the construction of the Snowflake plant primarily through
the issuance of bonds, borrowings under construction and term
loans with a bank, cash and
short-term
investments obtained in the acquisition of Catalytica, proceeds
from the sale of SCR-Tech, and cash infusions from its majority
shareholder.
Subsequent to year end the Company secured an additional
$6.2 million line of credit, and obtained a cash infusion
of $5 million from Worsley to cover certain cost overruns
at the Snowflake plant. The Company believes that these funds,
along its cash, restricted cash, and short-term investment
balances at December 31, 2007, will be sufficient to
satisfy the Company’s liquidity requirements through 2008.
If not, the Company will be required to seek additional
financing from others or pursue other financing alternatives. No
assurance can be given that, if required, additional financing
will be available on acceptable terms or at all.
The Company currently expects the Snowflake plant to reach full
commercial operations by June 30, 2008, as required by the
Company’s financing arrangements. If certain milestones,
including the commencement of operations of the Snowflake plant,
are not reached by June 30, 2008, the entire principal
amount of the Company’s outstanding borrowings with CoBank
will not convert into term loans and instead will become due and
payable, which would have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s financial position. In such event, the Company
would be required to seek an extension on the terms of such
debt, seek to refinance such debt or seek alternative debt or
equity financing. In addition, the Company must complete
construction of the Snowflake plant, achieve commercial
operation and successfully deliver power to APS by
September 1, 2008 and SRP by October 1, 2008, in
accordance with the terms of the PPA’s with these parties,
or the parties may terminate the respective PPA and seek
damages. A default under the PPAs would also result in a default
under our financing arrangements.
Once the plant reaches commercial operations, the Company is
expected to generate revenues and positive cash flow. In
addition, the Company’s existing fuel aggregation and wood
products business is expected to generate positive cash flow
beginning in the second quarter of 2008. However, these cash
flows will not fully offset our corporate overhead and debt
payment requirements. Failure to achieve timely commercial
operation of the Snowflake plant or the inability to maintain
such operation, or the inability of the fuel aggregation and
wood products business to timely achieve positive cash flows,
would likely have a material adverse impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial position, results of
operations and cash flows. There is no assurance the Company
will be successful in achieving timely commercial operation of
the Snowflake plant or achieve positive cash flow from
operations.
If the Company is not successful in achieving timely commercial
operation of the Snowflake plant or positive cash flow from
operations, or if the Company is out of compliance with its loan
agreements, including but not limited to, a determination that
there is a material adverse change under our financing
arrangements, management might not be able to continue its
business as currently anticipated and would likely be required
to take significant actions which may include, but are not
limited to, restructuring of the Company’s indebtedness;
drastically reducing corporate overhead; or selling the
Snowflake plant, Susanville plant, wood products business, or
the Company in its entirety.
Note 2.
Significant
Accounting Policies
Development Stage. Since inception, the
Company and Predecessor were considered development stage
companies, as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (“SFAS”) No. 7, “Accounting and
Reporting by Development Stage Enterprises.” During the
three months ended December 31, 2007, the Company completed
the establishment of its fuel aggregation and wood products
business, which harvests, collects and transports forest
thinning and woody waste biomass fuel to our power plants to
help reduce the cost of fuel for our primary business
operations; and which sells logs, lumber, shaved wood products
and other high value wood
by-products.
As such, the Company has exited the development stage. The
Company expects to continue making significant investments
toward the construction of its Snowflake biomass power plant.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Principles
of Consolidation.
Predecessor
The combined financial statements include the accounts of the
Snowflake entities. All material inter-company accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in combination. All
inter-company transactions were conducted at arm’s length
in the opinion of the managements of the Snowflake entities
except as disclosed in Note 8. The combined financial
statements are presented as a pooling of interests in accordance
with AICPA Practice Bulletin 14, “Accounting and
Reporting by Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability
Partnerships.”
Successor
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Renegy and its wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States.
Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications
have been made to the 2006 combined financial statements of the
Predecessor to conform to the 2007 presentation.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of
consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial
instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash
equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, and
receivables. The Company maintains its cash balances in the form
of cash deposits in bank checking accounts and money market
funds. Restricted cash is invested primarily in money market
funds. Renegy uses a highly reputable investment firm to invest
its excess cash, principally in auction-rate securities and
U.S. Government agency notes from a diversified portfolio
of investments with strong credit ratings. Related credit risk
would result from a default by the financial institutions or
issuers of investments to the extent of the recorded carrying
value of these assets. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers and continually monitors customer
balances to minimize the risk of loss. The Company believes the
fair value of its financial instruments is reflected in their
carrying value.
Four customers accounted for approximately 97% of the
Company’s revenues for the three months ended
December 31, 2007. Six customers accounted for
approximately 82% of the Predecessor’s revenues for the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 and six customers
accounted for approximately 88% of the Predecessor’s fiscal
2006 revenues. Two customers accounted for 94% of the
Company’s trade accounts receivable at December 31,2007. The Company expects to receive the majority of its
revenues for the foreseeable future from the sale of electrical
power from its Snowflake plant in connection with PPAs secured
with SRP and APS. Revenues generated from these agreements are
expected to begin in the second quarter of 2008 when the
Snowflake plant is scheduled to commence commercial operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. At
December 31, 2007, the Company has the following financial
instruments: cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments,
accounts receivable, accounts payable, and notes and leases
payable. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents,
short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts
payable approximates their fair value based on the liquidity of
these financial instruments or based on their short-term nature.
The carrying value of notes and leases payable approximates fair
value based on the market interest rates available to the
Company for debt of similar risk and maturities.
Derivative Financial Instruments. In
accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its
amendments in SFAS Nos. 137, 139, and 149, the Company is
required to measure all derivative instruments at fair value and
to recognize all derivative instruments in its statement of
financial position as either assets or liabilities depending on
the rights or obligations under the contracts. The
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
statement requires that changes in the fair value of derivative
instruments be recognized currently in earnings unless specific
hedge accounting criteria are met. The effective portion of a
gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and
qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is reported as a
component of other comprehensive income. Ineffective portions of
cash flow hedges and changes in fair value resulting in a gain
or loss on a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging
instrument are recognized currently in earnings.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has two interest rate
swaps to assist in management of the cost of debt, which are
described more fully in Note 13. These interest rate swaps
do not qualify for accounting treatment as cash flow hedges in
accordance with SFAS No. 133; therefore, any changes
in their fair values are recognized in current earnings.
Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash. The
Company considers all unrestricted cash accounts and highly
liquid debt instruments purchased with a remaining maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company’s
cash equivalent investments consist of money market accounts.
Restricted cash consists of funds borrowed pursuant to Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, restricted for the construction of
the Snowflake plant and procurement of related fuel and timber.
Funds are released for use by the Company based on approved
payment requests and lien releases from contractors with signed
contracts to work on the project. The Company had
$2.4 million of cash at December 31, 2007 that is
restricted to use for the construction of its biomass generating
power plant. Such amounts are expected to be utilized during
fiscal 2008.
Short-Term Investments. Renegy accounts for
short-term investments in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 115,
“Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities.”The Company’s investments are
classified as available for sale and carried at fair value based
on quoted market prices, with unrealized gains and losses
reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Renegy’s short-term investments carry maturities of twelve
months or less and consist principally of U.S. corporate
bonds and auction rate securities. Auction rate securities
consist of securities with intermediate to perpetual maturities
which are structured with short-term holding periods, generally
between 7 and 49 days, determined at the time of original
issuance. Investments in these securities typically can be sold
at the end of each holding period and are thus classified as
short-term. The Company maintains its investment portfolio with
a minimum rating of at least a grade A by Standard and
Poor’s or grade A by Moody’s.
The following is a summary of investments at December 31,2007 (in thousands):
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Estimated
Available-for-Sale Investments:
Cost
Gains
Losses
Fair Value
Auction rate securites
$
3,703
$
—
$
—
$
3,703
U.S. government agency notes
293
—
—
293
U.S. corporate bonds
1,992
3
—
1,995
$
5,988
$
3
$
—
$
5,991
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company attempted to
liquidate certain of its position in auction rate securities
that had failed at auction. In January 2008, the Company sold
these investments at an approximately $100,000 discount as
compared to their carrying value. The Company deemed this loss
to be other than temporary at December 31, 2007 and
recorded $100,000 other expense and a corresponding reduction in
carrying value in the accompanying financial statements for the
three months ended December 31, 2007.
Receivables. Receivables consist of trade
receivables, interest receivable from investments in debt
securities and other receivables. Trade receivables are recorded
at the gross sales price of products sold to customers on trade
credit terms. Other receivables consist primarily of $714,000
related to the working capital adjustment associated with the
sale of the Company’s SCR-Tech subsidiary (see
Note 5). This receivable was collected in January 2008.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following is a summary of receivables at December 31,2007 (in thousands):
Trade receivables
$
43
Interest receivable
59
Other receivables
762
Receivables
$
864
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.The Company
maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses
resulting from the inability of its funding parties or customers
to make required payments. This allowance is based on specific
customer account reviews and historical collections experience.
If the financial condition of the Company’s funding parties
or customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of
their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be
required.
The following table summarizes the activity for the allowance
for doubtful amounts on trade receivables (in thousands):
Inventories.The Company accounts for
inventories in accordance with SFAS No. 151,
“Inventory Costs.” Inventories principally
consist of organic materials including wood chips, forest slash,
woody waste, logs, lumber, mulch and supplies. The majority of
inventories will be processed as necessary and burned in the
power generation process at the Company’s Snowflake plant.
Certain lumber and mulch inventory is held for sale to
retailers. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or
market. Cost is determined by the weighted-average method.
Abnormal amounts of expense resulting from inefficiencies
incurred in inventory procurement, aggregation, and processing
are recognized as current period charges in cost of wood
products operations and were approximately $0.9 million,
$1.7 million, and $3.2 million during the three months
ended December 31, 2007, the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, and the year ended December 31,2006, respectively.
During April and June 2007, the wood chip piles located adjacent
to the Snowflake plant site caught fire. After considering
insurance recoveries, the Predecessor recorded a loss in the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 of approximately
$486,000.
The following is a summary of inventories at December 31,2007 (in thousands):
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment
are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets
as indicated below:
Computer equipment & software
3 years
Furniture & fixtures
5 years
Machinery & equipment
5 - 10 years
Leasehold improvements
15 - 20 years
Biomass generating facility
25 years
The Company records equipment under capital leases at the
present value of the minimum lease payments and amortizes that
cost over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the
equipment or the term of the lease. Amortization of capitalized
leased assets is included in depreciation expense. We capitalize
major improvements and betterments, while maintenance, repairs
and minor replacements are expensed as incurred. Total
depreciation expense from continuing operations for the three
months ended December 31, 2007 was $200,000. Total
depreciation expense of the Predecessor recorded during the nine
months ended September 30, 2007 and the year ended
December 31, 2006 was $611,000 and $748,000, respectively.
Depreciation of the Snowflake plant will commence when the
facility begins operations, which is expected to occur during
fiscal 2008.
Capitalized Interest.The Company capitalizes
interest expense in accordance with SFAS No. 34,
“Capitalization of Interest Cost,” and
SFAS No. 62, “Capitalization of Interest Cost
in Situations Involving Certain Tax-Exempt Borrowings and
Certain Gifts and Grants.”The Company capitalizes
interest expense associated with the construction of the
Snowflake plant, net of the associated interest income
associated with tax-exempt borrowings under the Solid Waste
Disposal Revenue Bonds. Interest income of the Successor
associated with tax-exempt borrowings approximated $84,000 for
the three months ended December 31, 2007. Interest income
of the Predecessor associated with tax-exempt borrowings
approximated $631,000 and $215,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and the year ended December 31,2006, respectively. Interest rates on loans entered into in
association with the financing of the construction of the
Snowflake plant are used as the basis for the weighted average
interest rate for capitalization of interest expense. The
Company’s approximately $39.3 million Solid Waste
Disposal Revenue Bonds, approximately $9.3 million
construction loan, and approximately $1.5 million term loan
carry interest rates of 4.5%, 5.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. Each
of these loans is described more fully in Notes 11, 12, and
13. The resulting weighted average interest rate used in
calculating capitalized interest was approximately 4.7% during
the three months ended December 31, 2007, the nine months
ended September 30, 2007, and the year ended
December 31, 2006. The following table summarizes project
interest costs incurred and capitalized (in thousands):
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. In accordance
with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the
Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
such assets may not be fully recoverable. If such a review
indicates the carrying value of assets will not be recoverable,
as measured based on estimated undiscounted cash flows over
their remaining life, the carrying amount would be adjusted to
fair value. The cash flow estimates contain management’s
best estimates, using appropriate and customary assumptions and
projections at the time. During the
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The
Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 141,
“Business Combinations,” and
SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets.” Purchase prices of acquired businesses that
are accounted for as purchases are allocated to the assets and
liabilities acquired, including intangibles, based on the
estimated fair values on the respective acquisition dates. Based
on these values, the excess purchase price over the fair value
of the net assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Pursuant to
SFAS No. 142, goodwill and other intangible assets
acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to
have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead
tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 142
also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives
be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to
their estimated residual values and tested for recoverability
when events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying
amount may not be recoverable.
Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of
acquired net assets, including other intangible assets. Other
intangible assets that have finite useful lives, including
patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other purchased
technology, were recorded at fair value at the time of the
acquisition, and are carried at such value less accumulated
amortization. The Company amortizes these intangible assets on a
straight-line basis over their useful lives, estimated at ten
years.
On October 1, 2007, the date of consummation of the Merger
Transaction, all of the Company’s goodwill and other
intangible assets were attributed to its SCR-Tech subsidiary
(see Note 3 for a summary of the purchase accounting
related to the merger). On November 7, 2007, the Company
completed the sale of its SCR-Tech subsidiary and eliminated the
carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets in its
computation of the Successor’s loss on disposal of
discontinued operations (see Note 5).
The changes in the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization
of goodwill and other intangible assets for the three months
ended December 31, 2007 were as follows (in thousands):
Deferred Financing Costs. During 2006, the
Predecessor incurred debt issuance costs of approximately
$2.9 million related to its project debt financing which is
being amortized over the life of the related debt using the
effective interest method. Amortization expense was
approximately $36,000, $113,000, and $45,000 for the three
months ended December 31, 2007, the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, and the year ended December 31,2006, respectively.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Revenue Recognition.The Company currently
derives revenues principally from the sale of wood-related
products to lumber companies, from forest thinning services and
from sales of wood shavings.
Revenues from the sale of wood-related products, which includes
logs, lumber, mulch
and/or waste
product, and revenues from the sale of wood shavings are
recognized when the material is delivered and title transfers to
the buyer.
Revenues from forest thinning services are recognized in
accordance with related contract terms. For contracts that
provide for payment based on the amount of acreage cleared,
revenue is recognized when the U.S. Forest Service has
inspected the site and approved billing. For contracts that
provide for payment of a contractual amount per ton of biomass
material removed, revenue is recognized as the material is
removed and weighed.
The Company anticipates future revenues to be derived
principally from the delivery of electric power pursuant to
PPAs. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has not
recognized revenues or produced or sold electricity under these
agreements.
Stock Based Compensation.The Company accounts
for stock based compensation awards under the fair value
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R)
(“FAS 123R”), “Share-Based
Payment.” FAS 123R requires stock based
compensation to be measured based on the fair value of the award
on the date of grant and the corresponding expense to be
recognized over the period during which an employee is required
to provide services in exchange for the award. The fair value of
each stock option award is estimated using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model based on certain assumptions including
expected term, risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility,
and dividend yield. The fair value of each RSU award is based on
the closing share price for the Company’s common stock as
quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market on the date of grant. See
Note 6 for additional information related to stock based
incentive plans and stock based compensation.
In connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company
established a stock based incentive plan, titled the 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), subject to
stockholder approval, which provides for the granting of stock
options, restricted stock, restricted stock units
(“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights
(“SARs”), and performance units/shares to employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants in exchange for services
received. The 2007 Plan will be submitted by the Company’s
board of directors to Renegy stockholders for approval within
one year of its October 1, 2007 adoption. As a majority of
the Company’s outstanding shares are controlled by
management and members of the board, any option grants issued
prior to this approval are deemed granted for purposes of
determining stock compensation expense in accordance with
FAS 123R. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, only
stock options had been granted under the 2007 Plan; no
restricted stock, RSUs, SARs or performance units/shares have
been granted under the 2007 Plan.
Income Taxes.The Company accounts for income
taxes under the asset and liability method in accordance with
SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income
Taxes.” Under the asset and liability method, deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the
differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of
assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently
enacted tax rates and laws. SFAS No. 109 requires that
a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than
not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be
realized. SFAS No. 109 further states that it is
difficult to conclude that a valuation allowance is not needed
when there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in
recent years. As a result the Company has recorded a full
valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets and expects
to continue to record a full valuation allowance on future tax
benefits until reaching sustained profitability.
Prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction, the Predecessor
had elected to be taxed as single member limited liability
corporations under the Internal Revenue Code, and as such, was
considered a disregarded entity. Under those provisions, the
Predecessor did not pay federal or state income taxes on its
taxable income. Instead, the income of the Predecessor was
passed through to its member for taxation. As a result, the
financial statements for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and for the year ended December 31,2006 do not reflect any income tax effects of activities for
those periods.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48
(“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109,” which prescribes a comprehensive model
for the financial statement recognition, measurement,
presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or
expected to be taken on an income tax return. Renegy adopted the
provisions of FIN 48 effective May 1, 2007. The total
amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the adoption date was
immaterial, and no material changes to the amount of
unrecognized tax benefits occurred during the year ended
December 31, 2007.
It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and
penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a
component of income tax expense. As of the date of adoption of
FIN 48, Renegy did not have any accrued interest or
penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was
any interest or penalties recorded during the year ended
December 31, 2007.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal
jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Catalytica’s
U.S. federal income tax returns for years 2004 through 2007
remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Catalytica’s state tax returns for years 2003 through 2007
remain open to examination by the state taxing authorities.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting
Standards. In September 2006, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”),
“Fair Value Measurements,” which addresses the
measurement of fair value by companies when they are required to
use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes
under GAAP. SFAS 157 provides a common definition of fair
value to be used throughout GAAP which is intended to make the
measurement of fair value more consistent and comparable and
improve disclosures about those measures. SFAS 157 will be
effective for an entity’s financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company
is currently assessing the impact, if any; the adoption of
SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159
(“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”
SFAS 159 allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect
fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement of certain
financial assets and liabilities on an
instrument-by-instrument
basis. Subsequent changes in fair value of these financial
assets and liabilities would be recognized in earnings when they
occur. SFAS 159 is effective for an entity’s financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, with earlier adoption permitted. The
Company is currently assessing the impact, if any; the adoption
of SFAS 159 will have on its consolidated financial
statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R)
(“SFAS 141R”), “Business
Combinations,” which amends SFAS No. 141, and
provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring
identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed,
and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. It also
provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the
financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial
effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and is
to be applied prospectively. The Company is currently assessing
the impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 141R will
have on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160
(“SFAS 160”), “Non-controlling Interests
in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of
ARB 51,” which establishes accounting and reporting
standards pertaining to ownership interests in subsidiaries held
by parties other than the parent, the amount of net income
attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest,
changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation
of any retained non-controlling equity investment when a
subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes
disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish
between the interests of the parent and the interests of the
non-controlling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal
years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company
is currently assessing the impact, if any; the adoption of
SFAS 160 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161
(“SFAS 161”), “Disclosures about
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 133,” which requires enhanced
disclosures about an
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
entity’s derivative and hedging activities. SFAS 161
requires enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses
derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related
hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133,
“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities,” and its related interpretations; and how
derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an
entity’s financial position, financial performance, and
cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption
encouraged. SFAS 161 encourages, but does not require,
comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption.
The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any; the
adoption of SFAS 161 will have on its consolidated
financial statements.
Note 3.
Merger
Transaction
The Merger Transaction, which is fully described in Note 1,
was considered a reverse acquisition, under which the Snowflake
entities were considered to acquire Catalytica. Accordingly, the
purchase price was allocated among the fair values of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed of Catalytica, while the
historical results of the Snowflake entities are reflected as
the Predecessor in the accompanying financial statements. The
value of Renegy’s common stock used in determining purchase
prices was based on the average of the closing prices of
Catalytica’s common stock of $9.45 and $8.96 per share
(adjusted for the merger exchange ratio) on September 27,2007 and September 28, 2007, respectively, or an average
share price of $9.21. The fair value of Catalytica’s stock
options assumed by Renegy was determined using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price
of $9.21; volatility of 53.6%; dividend rate of 0.0%; risk-free
interest rate of 4.14%; and expected term of 2.05 years.
The initial purchase price was as follows (in thousands):
Renegy shares (approximately 2.6 million shares at $9.21)
$
24,192
Incremental shares assumed to be issued upon exercise of RSUs
(approximately 27,000 shares at $9.21)
247
Estimated fair value of Renegy stock options issued in exchange
for Catalytica stock options
622
Estimated transaction costs
1,266
Total initial purchase price
$
26,327
The initial purchase price was allocated as follows (in
thousands):
Catalytica historical carrying value of net tangible assets
$
18,036
Catalytica historical carrying value of identifiable intangible
assets
1,109
Elimination of Catalytica’s pre-merger goodwill
(4,257
)
Elimination of Catalytica’s deferred revenue for which no
legal performance obligation exists
96
Liability assumed for change of control payment
(228
)
Estimated goodwill resulting from purchase allocation
11,571
Total preliminary allocation of estimated purchase price
$
26,327
Goodwill arising from the Merger Transaction was attributed to
Renegy’s SCR-Tech subsidiary, as it represented
Catalytica’s only operating subsidiary. As described in
Note 5, on November 7, 2007, the SCR-Tech subsidiary
was sold and all goodwill arising from the Merger Transaction
was written off.
The Company also issued approximately 3.8 million shares to
Worsley in exchange for his member interests in the Snowflake
entities, the value of which was transferred at its historical
carrying amount at the date of the merger.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The pro forma results of operations for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006, as if the Merger Transaction
had occurred at the beginning of each of those years, are as
follows:
In connection with an amended and restated employment agreement
between Catalytica and Robert Zack, dated as of March 23,2007, and filed with the SEC on March 23, 2007 as
exhibit 10.75 to Catalytica’s
Form 10-KSB,
Catalytica recorded a $225,000 Change of Control Retention
Payment. In accordance with paragraph 6(a) of the
employment agreement, Mr. Zack is entitled to such payment
on the date of a change in control in which he is employed by
the acquiring entity in the position of Chief Financial Officer
or a greater position, as was triggered by the consummation of
the Merger Transaction. The liability for this payment was
recorded as a liability of Renegy in the merger purchase price
allocation in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. This Change of
Control Retention Payment was paid to Mr. Zack in October
2007.
Also in accordance with paragraph 6(a) of the employment
agreement, Mr. Zack is entitled to additional $225,000 cash
retention payments on the dates six months and twelve months
following the Change of Control, subject to remaining employed
by the acquiring entity through such dates. Those two payments
will be accrued over six and twelve months, respectively, in
general, administrative and development expenses in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations of Renegy, beginning in
October 2007. The Company recorded compensation expense of the
Successor of $169,000 in general, administrative and development
expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2007.
Catalytica had in place retention plan agreements with certain
employees to be paid at the earlier of termination of employment
or December 31, 2007. In connection with the consummation
of the Merger Transaction, employees of Catalytica were
terminated as employees of Catalytica and became employees of
Renegy. As a result, retention payments totaling approximately
$172,000 were paid in October 2007 and charged against accrued
liabilities, which had been recorded in connection with the
Merger Transaction purchase price allocation.
In connection with the Merger Transaction, warrants were issued
to Worsley to purchase up to 2,473,022 shares of Renegy
common stock. The valuation of these warrants for financial
accounting purposes, obtained through an independent appraiser
as of October 5, 2007, was established at $1,641,000. The
warrants were valued using binomial methodology and the
following assumptions: (i) market price on grant date of
$9.21 (also see Note 3), (ii) warrant exercise price
of $16.38 per share (adjusted on a pro forma basis for the
merger exchange ratio) (iii) volatility of 53.6%,
(iv) risk-free interest rate of 4.20%, (v) back-end
discount of 55% for lack of marketability, and
(vi) probability of achieving the three warrant vesting
milestones of 77.5%, 45%, and 35%. The $1,641,000 warrant
valuation was fully expensed by the Successor as a component of
Renegy’s fourth quarter general, administrative and
development expenses.
In connection with an employment agreement between Renegy and
Scott Higginson, dated as of May 8, 2007, 7,143 shares
of common stock of Renegy were issued in connection with the
consummation of the Merger Transaction. Stock compensation of
approximately $58,000, based on the closing market price of
$8.15 on October 1, 2007, was fully expensed by the
Successor as a component of Renegy’s fourth quarter
general, administrative and development expenses.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 5.
Sale of
SCR-Tech
On November 7, 2007 Renegy, through its wholly-owned
Catalytica subsidiary, sold all of its interests in
SCR-Tech and
related subsidiaries to CoaLogix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Acorn Energy, Inc. Renegy received $9.6 million gross
proceeds plus a $714,000 working capital adjustment. The working
capital adjustment was paid in January 2008 and is reflected in
accounts receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheet at December 31, 2007. The following is a summary of
the loss incurred on the sale (in thousands):
Sales price
$
9,600
Working capital adjustment
714
Gross proceeds
10,314
Investment banking fee upon closing
(130
)
Net proceeds
10,184
Net current assets
2,152
Property and equipment
820
Goodwill
11,571
Intangible assets
1,094
Other asset
32
Liabilities
(821
)
Net book value
14,848
$
(4,664
)
The $4,664,000 loss resulting from the sale of SCR-Tech was
recorded by the Successor as loss from disposal of discontinued
operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of
Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2007. In
addition, the results of operations for the combined SCR-Tech
subsidiaries for the period October 1, 2007 (consummation
of Merger Transaction) through November 7, 2007 (sale of
SCR-Tech) are presented as loss from discontinued operations of
the Successor in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of
Operations for the three months ended December 31, 2007.
Note 6.
Employee
Benefit Plans
The Snowflake entities did not offer retirement or stock based
incentive plans to its employees. The discussion which follows
applies to the applicable retirement, stock based incentive
plans and related stock based compensation offered by Renegy
(Successor) to its employees.
401(k)
Savings & Retirement Plan
Effective with the consummation of the Merger Transaction, the
Company offers a 401(k) Savings & Retirement Plan to
eligible employees meeting certain age and service requirements.
This plan permits participants to contribute up to the maximum
allowable by the Internal Revenue Service regulations. The plan
provides for both a bi-weekly Company match and a discretionary
annual contribution. Participants are immediately vested in
their voluntary contributions and in the Company’s matching
contributions plus actual earnings. Expenses of the Successor
related to this plan were $26,000 for the three months ended
December 31, 2007.
Stock
Based Incentive Plans
In connection with the Merger Transaction, options to purchase
shares of Catalytica common stock outstanding at the effective
time of the merger were assumed by Renegy, exercisable for
shares of Renegy common stock. Catalytica’s 1995 Stock Plan
(the “1995 Plan”) provided for the acceleration of
vesting of all outstanding options in the event of a change in
control on the date six months after the change in control. In
May 2007, the board
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
of directors of Catalytica authorized and approved, contingent
on the closing of the Merger Transaction, the acceleration of
any unvested portion of all outstanding options under the 1995
Plan as of immediately prior to the closing. As a result,
316,616 options to purchase Renegy common stock, based on
original grant terms and adjusted for the merger exchange ratio,
were assumed by Renegy.
Also in connection with the Merger Transaction, the Company
established a stock based incentive plan, titled the 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), subject to
stockholder approval, which provides for the granting of stock
options, restricted stock, restricted stock units
(“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights
(“SARs”), and performance units/shares to employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants in exchange for services
received. Employees are also eligible for option grants at their
hire date based on predetermined quantities set by the
compensation committee and are eligible for annual incentive
awards based on achievement of objectives, subject to approval
by the compensation committee. Incentive awards are periodically
granted to consultants for services rendered, subject to
approval by the compensation committee or Board of Directors.
Incentive awards to non-employee directors for their service on
the board are determined and approved on an annual basis by the
compensation committee. Incentive award vesting periods range
from immediate vesting to four years and have contractual lives
ranging from five to ten years.
Any shares of common stock issued pursuant to the 1995 Plan and
the 2007 Plan will be accomplished through the issuance of new
shares.
The 2007 Plan will be submitted by the Company’s board of
directors to Renegy stockholders for approval within one year of
its October 1, 2007 adoption. As a majority of the
Company’s outstanding shares are controlled by management
and members of the board, any option grants issued prior to this
approval are deemed granted for purposes of determining such
compensation expense in accordance with FAS 123R. During
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, only stock options had been
granted under the 2007 Plan; no restricted stock, RSUs, SARs or
performance units/shares have been granted under the 2007 Plan.
The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are summarized
in the table below:
Effective with the consummation of the Merger Transaction, no
additional shares will be awarded under the 1995 Plan.
Outstanding shares at the effective date of the merger
consummation were assumed by Renegy.
(2)
The number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Plan
will be increased on the first day of each fiscal year beginning
with the 2009 fiscal year, in an amount equal to the lease of
(a) 500,000 shares, (b) 4% of the outstanding
shares on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year
or (c) such number of shares determined by the board of
directors; provided, however, that the maximum aggregate number
of shares that may be issued under the plan as incentive stock
options shall remain 1,000,000 shares.
Stock
based compensation
The Company accounts for stock based compensation awards under
the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123R.
FAS 123R requires stock based compensation to be measured
based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant and
the corresponding expense to be recognized over the period
during which an employee is required to provide services in
exchange for the award (the “requisite service
period”), which is typically equal to the vesting period.
The fair value of each stock option award is estimated using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model based on certain assumptions
including expected term, risk-free interest rate, stock price
volatility, and dividend yield. The Company uses the
“simplified” method for determining expected term for
all option grants, which is calculated as the midpoint between
the vesting date and the end of the contractual term of the
option. The Company elected the use of this method as it does
not have sufficient historical exercise data due to the limited
period its equity shares have been publicly traded to provide a
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. The
risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates
at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to
the expected term at the grant date. The average volatility of
comparable companies’ stock is used as the basis for the
Company’s volatility assumption; again due to the limited
period of the Company’s public trading activity. The
Company has never paid cash dividends, and does not currently
intend to pay cash dividends, and thus assumed a 0% dividend
yield. Compensation expense associated with share-based payments
which are subject to graded vesting based on service conditions
is recognized using the straight-line recognition method. The
following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used
in valuing stock option awards during the respective reporting
periods.
RSU awards are valued based on the closing share price for the
Company’s common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ Capital
Market on the date of grant, and compensation expense related to
RSU awards is recognized over the requisite service period,
which is typically equal to the vesting period. No RSU awards
were granted during the three months ended December 31,2007.
Total compensation for share-based compensation arrangements
recognized for the three months ended December 31, 2007 was
$32,000. As of December 31, 2007, there was $0 of total
unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based
compensation arrangements under the 2007 Stock Plan, as all
option grants under the plan are fully vested. The application
of FAS 123R had no effect on cash flow. The total fair
value of shares vested during the three months ended
December 31, 2007 was $32,000; at the consummation of the
Merger Transaction, all options assumed were fully vested.
No cash was received by the Successor from option exercises
during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as the
2007 Stock Plan was in effect beginning only upon consummation
of the Merger Transaction, and no exercises occurred.
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the
three months ended December 31, 2007 was $4.01. The total
intrinsic values of options exercised during the three months
ended December 31, 2007 was $0, as no options have been
exercised since consummation of the Merger Transaction.
The following table summarizes stock option plan activity for
the three months ended December 31, 2007:
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 7.
Income
Taxes
Recorded income tax benefit differs from the expected benefit
determined by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate to
the net loss as follows (in thousands):
Prior to consummation of the Merger Transaction, the Predecessor
had elected to be taxed as single member limited liability
corporations under the Internal Revenue Code, and as such, was
considered a disregarded entity. Under those provisions, the
Predecessor did not pay federal or state income taxes on its
taxable income. Instead, the income of the Predecessor was
passed through to its member for taxation. As a result, the
financial statements for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and for the year ended December 31,2006 do not reflect any income tax effects of activities for
those periods.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts
used for income tax purposes and include the following (in
thousands):
Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent on future
earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.
Accordingly, a valuation allowance, in an amount equal to the
related net deferred tax assets has been established to reflect
these uncertainties.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s federal and
state net operating loss carryforwards for both federal and
state purposes are $3.4 million. The federal net operating
loss carryforward will expire in 2027 and the state net
operating loss carryforward will expire in 2012 if not used to
offset future taxable income.
Utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards may be
subject to a substantial annual limitation due to the ownership
change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and similar state provisions. The annual
limitation may result in the expiration of net operating loss
carryforwards before utilization. The Company believes its net
operating losses from periods prior to the Merger Transaction
are unavailable to offset future income as a result of the
change in ownership resulting from the merger and thus are not
included in the figures reported above.
Approximately $12.6 million of the valuation allowance
relates to deferred tax assets of the acquired entity resulting
from consummation of the Merger Transaction. If and when those
deferred tax assets are recognized, the related valuation
allowance will be allocated to reduce goodwill.
Note 8.
Transactions
with Related Parties
Transactions with Officers. Various
goods/services were provided at no charge during the year ended
December 31, 2006 and the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 by Robert Worsley or companies
owned/controlled by him, including the use of certain properties
and the time and services provided by Mr. Worsley in his
role as company president. All such goods/services received have
been evaluated and the value of which has been determined to be
immaterial.
Comerica Bank Credit Facility. As of
September 8, 2006, in connection with the Snowflake
entities obtaining credit with CoBank, Robert Worsley assumed
responsibility for satisfying the Snowflake entities’
credit obligations with Comerica Bank. Comerica Bank released
the Snowflake entities from these liabilities and released all
its security interests in the Snowflake entities and its assets.
The Predecessor reclassified $1,637,000, including $637,000 from
long-term debt and $1,000,000 from lines of credit, to
member’s equity during fiscal 2006.
Contribution and Merger Agreement. In
connection with the Contribution and Merger Agreement, Worsley
has agreed to indemnify Catalytica and Renegy and Renegy’s
respective affiliates, directors, officers and employees from
and against any and all damages arising out of, resulting from
or in any way related to a breach of, or the failure to perform
or satisfy any of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements made by any of the Snowflake entities
and/or
Worsley in the Contribution and Merger Agreement. Renegy and
Catalytica have agreed to indemnify Worsley from and against any
and all damages arising out of, resulting from or in any way
related to (i) a breach of, or the failure to perform or
satisfy any of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements made by Catalytica in the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, and (ii) the construction cost guarantee of
Worsley to CoBank up to $2 million. The respective
obligations of the parties to indemnify for any breaches of
their respective representations and warranties will survive
until April 1, 2009, except for any indemnification claim
resulting from fraud or intentional misrepresentation. No
indemnification is required until the aggregate liability for a
party exceeds $250,000, and the indemnity obligations of each
party are subject to a $10 million cap, except in the case
of fraud or intentional misrepresentation. The indemnification
obligations of Worsley may be satisfied in cash or shares of the
Company’s common stock based on a value of $12.25 per
share, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Renegy’s
obligation to indemnify Worsley may be satisfied by paying cash
or shares of Renegy common stock, “grossed up” to
reflect Worsley’s anticipated 58.5% ownership of
Renegy’s outstanding common stock, which percentage was
projected at the time of execution of the Contribution and
Merger Agreement to exist at consummation of the Contribution
and Merger Agreement using the treasury stock method.
Specifically, Renegy may pay cash to Worsley in an amount equal
to (i) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the
amount of the damages for which indemnification is being made by
(B) 0.415, less (ii) the amount of such damages (the
“adjusted damages”) or issue to the Worsley Trust such
number of Renegy shares equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the adjusted damages by (ii) $12.25,
rounded up to the nearest whole share.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In addition, in connection with the Contribution and Merger
Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify the Worsleys for
any claims arising under their guarantee to Salt River Project
relating to the payment of all sums owed by Snowflake to Salt
River Project under its power purchase agreement with Snowflake
and for maintaining a net worth of at least $35 million.
Overrun Guaranty. Pursuant to the Contribution
and Merger Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the first
$2.0 million of Project Costs as defined in the Credit
Agreement dated September 1, 2006, as amended, by and among
Renegy, Renegy Trucking, Snowflake and CoBank ACB (the
“CoBank Credit Agreement”) for the Snowflake plant
that exceed the Project Cap of approximately $67.3 million
as defined in the CoBank Credit Agreement. Further, the Worsleys
agreed to pay to the Company the amount by which Project Costs
exceed the sum of the Project Cap and $2.0 million in
sufficient time for the Company to be able to pay such excess
Project Costs pursuant to an Overrun Guaranty dated May 8,2007 (the “Overrun Guaranty”). A committee of
independent directors (the “Special Committee”),
acting on behalf of the Company, has the authority to enforce
the Worsleys’ obligations under the Overrun Guaranty.
In February 2008, the Company estimated the Project Costs for
the Snowflake plant will exceed the Project Cap by approximately
$12.5 million. Pursuant to a letter agreement between the
Company and the Worsleys (the “Letter Agreement”),
which constitutes an amendment of the Contribution and Merger
Agreement and the Overrun Guaranty, the Company, with the
approval of the Special Committee, and the Worsleys have agreed
that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Contribution and
Merger Agreement and the Overrun Guaranty, the Company will be
responsible for the payment of an additional $6.0 million
of capital costs incurred beyond the Project Cap that have been,
or may be, incurred by the Company and the $2.0 million
already payable by the Company as described above. The Letter
Agreement provides that the Company will have no obligation to
pay for any Project Costs beyond the $2.0 million
previously agreed to and the $6.0 million described in this
paragraph. Pursuant to a Sponsor Guaranty, dated
September 1, 2006 between R. Worsley and C. Worsley and
CoBank, ACB (the “Sponsor Guaranty”), R. Worsley and
C. Worsley have guaranteed the payment of all Project Costs in
excess of the Project Cap. In connection with the Letter
Agreement, Worsley deposited $5.0 million in cash in the
Company’s general operating bank account on March 4,2008.
In accordance with the terms of the Letter Agreement, the
Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the
“Worsley Credit Agreement”) with the Worsleys pursuant
to which the Worsleys agreed to lend the Company up to
$6.0 million, which could be drawn on by us beginning
March 31, 2008 for general working capital purposes,
including to pay the capital costs that the Company has agreed
to pay as described above. As of March 28, 2008, the
Company obtained a $6.2 million credit facility from
Comerica (see Note 11). As a result, the Worsley Credit
Agreement was terminated.
Registration Rights Agreement.The Company
entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Worsley
Trust pursuant to which Renegy has agreed, at its expense, to
prepare and file a registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
covering the resale from time to time of all of the shares of
our common stock issued to the Worsley Trust in connection with
the Merger Transaction as well as all shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the Worsley
Trust. Renegy must prepare and file such registration statement
upon the request of the Worsley Trust at any time from and after
July 1, 2008, provided that the Company may delay any
requested registration for up to 60 consecutive days in any
calendar year (or 120 days in the aggregate in any calendar
year) if and for so long as certain conditions exist.
Note 9.
Segment
Disclosures and Related Information
SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information,” requires
disclosures of certain information regarding operating segments,
products and services, geographic areas of operation and major
customers. The method for determining what information to report
under SFAS No. 131 is based upon the “management
approach,” or the way that management organizes the
operating segments within the Company, for which separate
financial information is available that is evaluated regularly
by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in
deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
Our CODM is our Chief Executive Officer.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
We currently operate in only one primary segment focused on
developing, owning and operating biomass to electricity power
generation facilities. As such, no additional disclosures are
presented related to by-segment presentation of revenues,
operating income, depreciation and amortization, capital
expenditures, or total assets.
Information
about Products and Services
The following is a summary of revenues by type (in thousands):
Revenues of the Successor from two of the Company’s
customers, each individually representing more than 10% of the
Company’s consolidated revenues, represent approximately
$58,000 of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the
three months ended December 31, 2007. Revenues of the
Predecessor from four of the Company’s customers, each
individually representing more than 10% of the Company’s
consolidated revenues, represent approximately $726,000 of the
Company’s consolidated revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007. Revenues of the Predecessor from three
of the Company’s customers, each individually representing
more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues,
represent approximately $1,417,000 of the Company’s
consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006.
All long-lived assets held as of December 31, 2007 were
located in the United States.
Note 10.
Major
Suppliers — Snowflake Plant Construction
The Company received a substantial portion of its supplies,
materials and third party services used in construction of the
Snowflake plant from fourteen and seven vendors during 2007 and
2006. Payments to these vendors totaled approximately
$25.3 million and $8.6 million during 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
Note 11.
Debt,
Leases and Lines of Credit
Debt and Leases Payable and Lines of
Credit. During fiscal 2006, the Company issued
$39,250,000 of Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (“ID
Bonds”), which are described more fully in Note 12.
The Company has three credit facilities (collectively, the
“CoBank Credit Facilities”) with CoBank, ACB
(“CoBank”), described as follows:
1. During fiscal 2006, the Predecessor obtained a
$12,002,000 Snowflake plant construction term loan (“SWMP
Construction Loan”) which converts from a construction loan
to a term loan at the completion of the Snowflake plant and the
commencement of operations as defined in the CoBank Credit
Facilities, but no later than June 30, 2008. If not so
converted, the SWMP Construction Loan is due and payable on
June 30, 2008.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Interest is payable quarterly at LIBOR plus 2.00% through March
2008, LIBOR plus 1.5% through March 2013, and LIBOR plus 1.8%
through maturity on January 1, 2014. Principal payments
will be computed as a percentage of the outstanding principal
balance as prescribed in the term principal payment schedule
included in the loan agreement, beginning in October 2008 and
continuing through maturity in January 2014.
During 2007, the Predecessor received insurance claim
reimbursements related to losses sustained when inventories of
wood chip piles caught fire. Pursuant to the SWMP Construction
Loan agreement, the Company was required to remit
$2.7 million of the insurance proceeds to CoBank, which
CoBank applied as a prepayment of the loan. This prepayment
reduced the amount of loan which could be drawn by
$2.7 million from $12,002,000 to $9,302,000.
2. During fiscal 2006, the Predecessor obtained a
$1,492,000 term loan (“Renegy Term Facility”) with
interest payable quarterly at a fixed rate of 7.2% through
maturity at January 1, 2013. Principal payments will be
computed as a percentage of the outstanding principal balance as
prescribed in the Renegy principal payment schedule included in
the loan agreement, beginning in October 2008 and continuing
through maturity in January 2013 if the SWMP Construction Loan
has converted to a term loan. If not so converted, then Renegy
Term Facility is due and payable on June 30, 2008.
3. The Company has a $500,000 revolving loan
(“Revolving Loan Facility”) with interest payable
quarterly at LIBOR plus 2.0% and maturing on April 1, 2026.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has not drawn on this
loan.
The Company has interest rate swap agreements related to the ID
Bonds and SWMP Construction Loan. See Note 13 for further
details regarding those agreements.
The CoBank Credit Facilities are secured by all ownership
interests in the Snowflake entities and construction overrun
guarantees of Robert M. Worsley and Christi M. Worsley.
Upon commercial operation of the Snowflake plant and conversion
of the SWMP Construction Loan and the Renegy Term Facility, all
cash proceeds generated by the sale of electricity from the
Snowflake plant will be held by CoBank in a separate account.
The Company will not be allowed to receive distributions from
such account unless certain debt service coverage ratios are
achieved by the Company. In addition, the Company will be
required to comply with various plant maintenance, operating and
collateral requirements under the terms of the financing
arrangements.
During fiscal 2006, pursuant to a security agreement associated
with the purchase of two trailers, the Predecessor obtained a
$40,000 term loan (“Trailer Loan”) from Wells Fargo
Equipment Financing. This term loan matures in July 2009, bears
interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.1%, and is payable in
twenty-four principal and interest payments of $1,800, plus one
payment of $1,000 due at maturity. Payments on this term loan
are due only nine times per year; no payments are made in
February, March, or April of each year.
In January 2007, the Predecessor acquired substantially all the
assets of Ponderosa Trucking, Inc. in exchange for cash at
closing, a $224,000 note payable to Ponderosa (“Ponderosa
Note”), and assumption of four capital lease obligations
(“Ponderosa Leases”) with a present value amount of
$178,000. The Ponderosa Note matures in December 2010 and is
payable in forty-eight monthly installments of principal plus
interest imputed at 3.7%. Monthly payment amounts for this note
are summarized in the table below:
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The four Ponderosa Leases are payable in monthly installments,
with interest imputed at 8.0%. Payment terms for these leases
are summarized in the table below:
Monthly
Lease #
Payment
# of Payments
Maturity Date
1
$
1,100
38
March 2010
2
$
2,000
40
April 2010
3
$
600
41
July 2010
4
$
1,000
40
May 2010
In May 2007, the Predecessor entered into a lease agreement, as
amended (“Chase Lease”), with Chase Equipment Leasing
(“Chase”) for the purchase of approximately
$1.7 million of equipment that will produce horse bedding
material from the wood being gathered by the Company. The lease
agreement provides for funding by Chase as the equipment is
procured or manufactured. Currently, interest is payable monthly
on principal amounts funded at the prime rate less 1.0%. Upon
completion of the manufacture of the equipment, the funding
agreement will convert to a lease payable over 60 months,
which will be accounted for as a capital lease.
In January 2008, the Company acquired three pieces of used
machinery for $300,000. In connection with this purchase, a
$300,000 note payable was recorded during the first quarter of
fiscal 2008, which will be paid in twelve monthly payments of
$25,000.
On March 28, 2008, the Company entered into a credit
agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica”) providing
for a non-revolving credit facility of up to $6.2 million
from Comerica (the “Comerica Credit Agreement”).
Interest on borrowings under the Comerica Credit Agreement will
bear interest at the Prime Rate as publicly announced by
Comerica, plus one percentage point, or at our election, at the
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus
3.75 percentage points. The Comerica Credit Agreement is
secured by a deposit of $450,000 and a pledge of all of the
Company’s assets, other than those assets pledged to CoBank
and by a guarantee from the Worsleys and the Worsley Trust. The
Comerica Credit Agreement also requires that the Company
maintain minimum liquidity of $1.0 million, either in cash
or in the form of readily marketable securities, tested monthly.
All outstanding principal and interest under the Comerica Credit
Agreement must be repaid by March 31, 2009.
The Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations
balances as of December 31, 2007 are summarized in the
table below (in thousands):
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
At December 31, 2007, future principal payments under debt
and capital lease agreements over each of the next five years
and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
Year
2008
$
776
2009
2,249
2010
2,350
2011
2,356
2012
2,479
Thereafter
41,508
$
51,718
Operating leases. Renegy leases its
4,000 square feet corporate headquarters facility, located
in Tempe, Arizona, under an operating lease agreement for
approximately $9,900 per month. This lease expires on
July 31, 2008 with no option for renewal. The Company also
leases, for use by its investor relations function,
approximately 400 square feet office space in Belmont,
California for approximately $800 per month. This lease expires
on August 31, 2008 and is renewable annually.
In January 2008 the Company entered into a lease agreement for
approximately 7,800 square feet of office space which will
become its corporate headquarters beginning in July 2008. This
lease agreement has a lease term of 65 months and one
five-year renewal option. Monthly rent is approximately $27,600
for the first year with approximately 3% annual increases for
years two through the end of the lease term. The lease provides
for a tenant’s improvement allowance of $272,000, and the
Company expects to incur an additional $100,000 in leasehold
improvements.
Additionally, the Company leases office equipment under various
lease agreements which expire through 2008.
At December 31, 2007, future payments under all
non-cancelable operating leases are as follows over each of the
next five years and thereafter (in thousands):
Year
2008
$
246
2009
336
2010
346
2011
356
2012
366
Thereafter
186
$
1,836
Rent expense of the Successor consisting of facility and
equipment rent was $38,000 during the three months ended
December 31, 2007. Rent expense of the Predecessor
consisting of facility and equipment rent was $29,000 and
$28,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Snowflake Plant Lease.The Company’s
Snowflake plant is being constructed adjacent to a paper mill
owned and operated by Abitibi Consolidated
(“Abitibi”). The Company leases the land on which the
Snowflake plant is being built under a ground lease agreement
with a
25-year
term, beginning on January 1, 2007. The key terms of this
ground lease are as follows:
•
One renewal option for one additional
25-year term
(requires $1,000,000 extension fee)
•
No monetary rent for access and use of real property
•
One-time payment of $500,000 for 20% ownership interest in the
cost of constructing a substation for the delivery of
electricity (paid in January 2008)
•
Delivery, at no cost, of as much of the paper sludge produced by
the paper mill as can be used by the Company (sludge is used as
fuel along with wood chips); however, if the Company fails to
utilize at least 75% of the sludge produced, it shall pay an
annual rent of $400,000 in equal monthly installments
•
The Company will pay Abitibi $0.05 per kilowatt hour for power
for the internal operating needs of the plant
•
The Company will pay Abitibi for all personal and real property
taxes and assessments associated with the Snowflake plant
•
Various utilities provided to the Company for a fixed rate of
$25,000 per year
•
The Company to maintain risk insurance and general liability
coverage
The Company has engaged Abitibi to operate and maintain the
Snowflake plant upon commencement of power generation at the
Snowflake plant. In connection with the ground lease agreement
described above, they key terms of the operations provisions are
as follows:
•
Provide pool of personnel (“Shared Personnel”) for
operations and maintenance of Snowflake plant for an annual fee
of $200,000
•
Provide dedicated personnel (“Specific Site
Personnel”) as needed for operations and maintenance on an
actual expense pass-through basis
•
Other operational costs, including travel, tools, spare parts,
supplies, etc., to be provided by Abitibi to Company at
Abitibi’s actual cost
•
The Company will pay Abitibi an incentive bonus based on
profitability of the Snowflake plant and the extent to which
operations exceed 90% of its capacity. The minimum bonus shall
range in linear fashion from $200,000 (at 90%) to $400,000 (at
100%), in $20,000 increments for each percentage point
•
Abitibi will maintain automobile, worker’s compensation,
and commercial general liability insurance as an operational
cost to be reimbursed by the Company
Susanville Facility Lease and Option to
Purchase. In February 2008, the Company entered
into a lease agreement to lease approximately 40 acres of
land in Susanville, California (the “Site”) on which
an idle biomass power plant owned by the Company is located. The
lease provides for monthly lease payments of $30,000 per month
commencing January 31, 2008 and terminating no later than
January 30, 2013, except under certain circumstances.
Simultaneously with entering into the lease, for consideration
of $100,000, the Company entered into an option agreement which
provides the Company the option to acquire the Site pursuant to
a form of purchase and sale agreement, for a purchase price of
$80,000 per acre, subject to a price escalation of 1.5% per
annum, beginning February 1, 2009. The option agreement
terminates on January 31, 2013, subject to certain
exceptions. The option agreement provides that the initial
$100,000 payment shall be credited against the purchase price of
the Site upon exercise of the option to purchase. In addition,
the lease provides that 100% of the first 24 months of
lease payments made by the Company shall apply to the purchase
price under the option agreement if the Company elects to
exercise the option during such period. If the Company exercises
the option on or after the first day following the
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
24th month of the lease term, only 50% of all lease
payments made within the first 24 months of the lease term
and thereafter shall apply to the purchase price. The Company
expects that it will use the Site to refurbish and operate the
idled biomass power plant which is owned by the Company, subject
to obtaining necessary financing to refurbish the plant,
obtaining any necessary construction, operation and
environmental permits, identifying and securing necessary fuel
sources at a cost-effective rate, entering into a power purchase
agreement to sell the power produced by the plant and other
necessary activities to refurbish, restart and operate the plant.
In accordance with SFAS No. 13, “Accounting
for Leases,” this lease does not meet the criteria of a
capital lease; accordingly, the Company plans to record the
monthly lease payments related to this facility as period
expenses.
Note 12.
Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds and Related Credit
Facilities
Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds
During fiscal 2006, the Predecessor issued $39,250,000 of Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (“ID Bonds”) that have
principal payable at maturity on July 1, 2037 and which are
redeemable at any time by the Company. The ID Bonds have
quarterly payments of interest at a variable rate determined
weekly by the bond underwriter. The interest payments can be
adjusted at any time by the Company to semiannual payments of
interest at a fixed rate determined at the time of adjustment by
the bond underwriter.
Upon commercial operation of the Snowflake plant, all cash
proceeds generated by the sale of electricity from the Snowflake
plant will be held by CoBank in a separate account. The Company
will not be allowed to receive distributions from such account
unless certain debt service coverage ratios are achieved by the
Company. In addition, the Company will be required to comply
with various plant maintenance, operating and collateral
requirements under the terms of the financing arrangements.
In connection with a letter of credit issued by CoBank, the
terms of which are described below, the Company is required to
begin principal repayments on the ID Bonds in January 2014 with
payment in full by January 2026. Principal payments will be
computed as a percentage of the outstanding principal balance as
prescribed in the bond principal payment schedule included in
the bond agreement. Also in connection with the letter of credit
agreement, hedging is required such that 100% of the notional
amount of the Bonds is subject to a floating to fixed interest
rate swap at closing through maturity (see Note 13).
ID
Bonds — Letters of Credit
The ID Bonds are secured by an irrevocable direct pay letter of
credit issued by CoBank (“CoBank Letter of Credit”)
and a confirming irrevocable letter of credit issued by JP
Morgan Chase Bank, NA (“Chase Letter of Credit”).
The key terms of the CoBank Letter of Credit are as follows:
•
$39,250,000 letter of credit securing the ID Bonds; successive
two year renewable terms through maturity in January 2026 and
repayable within 366 days of draw; fronting fee of 0.375%
per year payable quarterly; commitment fee payable quarterly
based on the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn
under the letter of credit during the applicable quarter
multiplied by the following rates:
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The key terms of the Chase Letter of Credit are as follows:
•
$39,250,000 confirming letter of credit securing the ID Bonds;
confirming commitment fee of .125% (annual rate) payable
quarterly.
Note 13.
Interest
Rate Swaps
On September 8, 2006, the Predecessor entered into two
floating to fixed interest rate swap agreements related to
construction project debt that economically fixes the interest
rate on its ID Bonds and a portion of the SWMP Construction
Loan, to which the related debt is described in Notes 11
and 12. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap
agreements is the estimated amount the Company would receive or
pay to terminate the agreement based on the net present value of
the future cash flows as defined in the swap agreements. As of
December 31, 2007, the Company’s liability, measured
at fair value, related to these swap agreements was $4,602,000.
These swap agreements are summarized as follows:
These interest rate swaps do not qualify for accounting
treatment as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133;
therefore, changes in their fair values are recognized in other
income (expense) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
Note 14.
Net Loss
per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share is presented in accordance
with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per
Share.” Basic EPS is computed by dividing net loss
available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number
of common shares outstanding during each reporting period. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and the year ended
December 31, 2006 of the Predecessor, the weighted average
number of shares outstanding is based on the number of shares of
Renegy common stock issued to the Worsley Trust in the Merger
Transaction. For the three months ended December 31, 2007,
the weighted average number of shares outstanding includes the
weighted average of (i) the number of shares of Renegy
common stock issued to the Worsley Trust in the Merger
Transaction for the first month, and (ii) the weighted
average shares outstanding for the last two months, adjusted for
the share adjustment related to the sale of SCR-Tech as
described in Note 1. Diluted EPS includes the effect of
dilutive securities assumed to be exercised using the treasury
stock method. As the potentially dilutive securities were
anti-dilutive because net losses from continuing operations were
incurred for the three months ended December 31, 2007, for
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, and for the year
ended December 31, 2006, they have been excluded from the
computation of weighted-average shares outstanding used in
computing diluted net loss per share for each of those periods.
Total options outstanding as of December 31, 2007,
September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were 324,473,
zero and zero, respectively. Total warrants outstanding as of
December 31, 2007, September 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006 were 2,473,023, zero and zero,
respectively.
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
3
—
—
Comprehensive loss
$
(11,558
)
$
(3,619
)
$
(6,800
)
Note 16.
Capital
Stock Reserved for Future Issuance
Shares of Renegy common stock reserved for future issuance as of
December 31, 2007 are as follows:
Name of Plan or Type
Total
Catalytica 1995 Plan
316,616
Renegy 2007 Plan
1,000,000
Warrants
2,473,023
3,789,639
Note 17.
Commitments
and Contingencies
In the discussion which follows, the existing commitments and
contingencies are categorized according to their origin
(Catalytica, Snowflake entities). However, regardless of origin,
all such commitments and contingencies listed are in applicable
to Renegy (Successor).
Catalytica-related
Kawasaki
and Eaton sale representations and warranties
In connection with the sale of Catalytica’s gas turbine
technology and associated assets to Kawasaki in September 2006,
Catalytica agreed to indemnify Kawasaki, through September 2008,
for any breaches of various representations and warranties made
by Catalytica to Kawasaki in connection with the sale. These
indemnities are generally limited to the purchase price of
$2.1 million. In addition, Catalytica has agreed to
maintain an amount of not less than $2.0 million in
immediately available funds until September 30, 2007 and
$1.9 million in immediately available funds from
October 1, 2007 until September 30, 2008 to satisfy
any indemnification claims from Kawasaki.
In connection with the sale of its diesel fuel processing
technology and associated assets to Eaton in October 2006,
Catalytica agreed to indemnify Eaton, through October 2008, for
any breaches of various representations and warranties made by
Catalytica to Eaton in connection with the sale. These
indemnities are generally limited to the purchase price of
$2.4 million.
SCR-Tech
sale representations and warranties
In connection with the sale of Catalytica’s SCR-Tech
subsidiary to CoaLogix Inc. (“CoaLogix”) in November,
2007, Catalytica is subject to customary representations,
warranties, covenants, and indemnification provisions whereby
Catalytica agrees to indemnify CoaLogix for breaches of the
representations, warranties, and covenants as
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS — (Continued)
set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement. Indemnification
obligations are generally subject to a deductible of $192,000
and a cap of $1,920,000, or $9,600,000 in connection with losses
relating to the breach by Catalytica of certain specified
indemnity items or to certain liabilities of Catalytica as set
forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement. In addition, Renegy
guarantees payment of any of Catalytica’s indemnification
obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement.
The Company has not recorded any liabilities related to possible
breaches of representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements, as the Company believes the likelihood of claim for
each to be remote.
Snowflake
Entities-related
The Company has a ten-year commitment beginning
September 1, 2006, with annual renewal options, to operate
the Heber, Arizona, Green Waste site. The Company receives
$2,500 per month to operate the site and is able to utilize wood
waste materials (at no charge) to produce wood chips that will
be burned in the power generation process.
The Company owes Abitibi $500,000 for the use of and a 20%
ownership interest in the power facility substation located at
the Snowflake plant site, to be paid within one month after
completion of construction of the Snowflake plant, but no later
than January 1, 2008. Payment of this obligation was made
in January 2008.
The Company is obligated, pursuant to several contracts
primarily with the U.S. Forest Service (the “Forest
Service”), to purchase, cut, and remove timber from various
forests. Certain contracts require the payment by the Forest
Service of a stumpage fee for the right to remove organic
materials, to be paid per each one hundred cubic feet. Other
contracts stipulate a subsidy to be paid per acre or per ton by
the Forest Service for the removal and thinning of Forest
Service lands and have definitive commitments as to the timing
of services to be rendered.
Pursuant to the CoBank credit agreements, upon commencement of
operation of the Snowflake plant, the Company must maintain a
21/2 year availability of fuel, other than paper sludge,
either on the plant site or available from counterparties under
contract, provided that at least a one year stockpile of such
availability of fuel, other than paper sludge, is on the plant
site at all times.
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims,
either asserted or unasserted, which arise in the ordinary
course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be
predicted with certainty, management does not believe the
outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this Report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert W. Zack
his attorney-in-fact, for him in any and all capacities, to sign
any amendments to this Report on
Form 10-KSB,
and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact, or his substitute, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Robert
M. Worsley
Robert
M. Worsley
President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer)
and Chairman of the Board