UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172019

 

Commission File Number: 000-54560001-36312

 

POWER REIT

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland 45-3116572
(State (State of organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

301 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(212) 750-0371

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered

Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.001 par value

 

NYSE American

   

7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable

Perpetual Preferred Stock,

Liquidation Preference $25 per Share

 

NYSE American

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirement for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not 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-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer[  ]Accelerated filer[  ]
Non-accelerated filer[  ]X]Smaller reporting company[X]
Emerging growth company[  ]  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes [  ] No [X]

 

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity of the Registrant held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2017,2019, the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $10,488,000,$7,731,000 computed by reference to the closing price of the Registrant’s shares of beneficial interest (“common shares” or “common stock”) on June 30, 20172019 of $7.54.$5.80. For purposes of this calculation, common shares held by persons who hold more than 5% of the outstanding shares and shares held by executive officers and trustees have been excluded. This is not a determination of affiliate or executive officer status for any other purpose. The Registrant has no non-voting common equity.

 

As of March 23, 2018,25, 2020, there were 1,827,3381,912,939 common shares outstanding and 144,636 Series A $25 par value Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference information in Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) within 120 days after December 31, 2017.2019.

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

POWER REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

  Page
PART IItem 1.Business3
 Item 1A.Risk Factors45
 Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments1824
 Item 2.Properties1824
 Item 3.Legal Proceedings2026
 Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures2228
PART IIItem 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities2229
 Item 6.Selected Financial Data2329
 Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2330
 Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk2935
 Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data2935
 Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure2935
 Item 9A.Controls And Procedures2935
 Item 9B.Other Information3036
PART IIIItem 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance3037
 Item 11.Executive Compensation3037
 Item12.Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters3137
 Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence3137
 Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services3137
PART IVItem 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules3137
 SIGNATURES3339

2

PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

 

Power REIT (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”, and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “we”, “us”, the “Company” or “Power REIT”, unless the context requires otherwise) is a Maryland-domiciled real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) that holds develops, acquires and manages real estate assets related to transportation, andalternative energy infrastructure and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the United States. Within the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, Power REIT is focused on making new acquisitions of real estate that are or will be leased to renewable energy generation projects, such as utility-scale solar farms and wind farms, that have low or minimal technology risk.

 

The Trust is structured as a holding company and owns its assets through fourseven wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiaries that have been formed in order to hold real estate assets, obtain financing and generate lease revenue. As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Trust’s assets consisted of approximately 112 miles of railroad infrastructure and related real estate which is owned by its subsidiary Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad (“P&WV”) and, approximately 601 acres of fee simple land leased to a number of utility scale solar power generating projects with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 108 Megawatts (“MW”). and approximately 7.3 acres of land with 18,612 sf of greenhouses leased to a medical cannabis operator. Power REIT is actively seeking to expandgrow its portfolio of real estate related to renewable energy generation projectsControlled Environment Agriculture for food and is pursuing investment opportunities that qualify for REIT ownership within solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, transmission and other infrastructure projects.cannabis production.

 

P&WV is a business trust organized under the laws of Pennsylvania for the purpose of owning railroad assets that are currently leased to Norfolk Southern Railway (“NSC”) pursuant to a 99-year lease that became effective in 1964 and is subject to an unlimited number of 99-year renewal periods under the same terms and conditions, including annual rent payments, at the option of NSC (the “Railroad Lease”). P&WV’s assets consist of a railroad line of approximately 112 miles in length, extending through Connellsville, Washington and Allegheny Counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through Brooke County in the State of West Virginia and through Jefferson and Harrison Counties in the State of Ohio, to Pittsburgh Junction in Harrison County, Ohio. There are also branch lines that total approximately 20 miles in length located in Washington and Allegheny Counties in Pennsylvania and Brooke County in West Virginia. NSC pays P&WV base cash rent of $915,000 per year, payable in quarterly installments. In addition, Power P&WV believes NSC is obligated to pay additional rent and other amounts, which iswas the subject of litigation. (See Item 3, Legal Proceedings).

 

PW Salisbury Solar, LLC (“PWSS”) is a Massachusetts limited liability Company that owns approximately 54 acres of land located in Salisbury, Massachusetts that is leased to a 5.7 MW operationalutility scale solar farm. Pursuant to the lease agreement, PWSS’ tenant is required to pay PWSS rent of $80,800 cash for the year December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013, with a 1.0% escalation in each corresponding year thereafter. Rent is payable quarterly in advance and is recorded by Power REIT for accounting purposes on a straight-line basis. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 rent has been recorded in the amount of $89,494. At the end of the 22-year lease period, which commenced on December 1, 2011 (prior to being assumed by PWSS), the tenant has certain renewal options, with terms to be mutually agreed upon.

 

PW Tulare Solar, LLC (“PWTS”) is a California limited liability company that owns approximately 100 acres of land leased to a five (5) utility scale solar farms, with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 20MW, located near Fresno, California. The solar farm tenants pay PWTS an aggregate annual rent of $157,500 cash, payable in advance and without escalation during the 25-year term of the leases. At the end of the 25-year term,terms, which commenced in March 2013 (prior to being assumed by PWTS), the tenants have certain renewal options, with terms to be mutually agreed upon. For each of the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, PWTS recorded rental income of $157,500.

PW Regulus Solar, LLC (“PWRS”) is a California limited liability company that owns approximately 447 acres of land leased to an operatinga utility scale solar projectfarm with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 82 Megawatts in Kern County, California near Bakersfield. PWRS’s lease was structured to provide it with initial quarterly rental payments until the solar farm achieved commercial operation which occurred inon November 11, 2014. During the primary term of the lease which extends for 20 years from achieving commercial operations, PWRS will receivereceives an initial annual rent of approximately $735,000 per annum which grows at 1% per annum. The lease is a “triple net” lease with all expenses to be paid by the tenant. At the end of the primary term of the lease, the tenants have certain renewal options with rent calculated as the greater of a minimum stated rental amount or a percentage of the total project-level gross revenue. The acquisition price, not including transaction and closing costs, was approximately $9.2 million. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, PWRS recorded rental income of $803,116$803,116.

PW CO CanRE JAB LLC (“PW JAB”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a new formed wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust. In July 2019, PW JAB acquired two properties (the “JAB Properties”) in southern Colorado that have approximately 7.3 acres with 18,612 square feet of greenhouse cultivation and $803,109.processing space. PW JAB has entered into two cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted triple-net leases with JAB Industries Ltd. for the JAB Properties. The leases provide that tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the JAB Properties, including maintenance expenses, insurance and taxes. The term of each of the leases is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, PW JAB recorded rental income from the JAB Properties of $182,249. The leases also have financial guarantees from affiliates of the tenant. The tenant intends to operate the JAB Properties as licensed cannabis cultivation and processing facilities. The rent for each of the leases is structured whereby after a six-month free-rent period, the rental payments provide the Trust a full return of invested capital over the next three years in equal monthly payments. After the 42nd month, rent is structured to provide a 12.5% return on the original invested capital amount which will increase at a 3% rate per annum. At any time after year six, if cannabis is legalized at the federal level, the rent will be adjusted down to an amount equal to a 9% return on the original invested capital amount and will increase at a 3% rate per annum based on a starting date of the start of year seven. The tenant is an affiliate of a company that owns and operates two indoor cannabis cultivation facilities and five dispensary locations in the State of Colorado along with several other cannabis related projects under development. The leases require the tenant to maintain a medical cannabis license and operate in accordance with all Colorado and local regulations with respect to its operations. The leases prohibit the retail sale of the tenant’s cannabis and cannabis-infused products from the JAB Properties.

 

The Company’s revenue is highly concentrated, with lease payments from the lessee of P&WV and PWRS assets representing approximately 47%42% and 41%37%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Mr. David H. Lesser serves as a member and Chairman of our Board of Trustees. He also serves as our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Currently, Power REIT has no other officers or employees. As Power REIT’s business grows, the Company will from time to time evaluate its staffing and third party service needs and adjust its staffing and third party service arrangements as necessary.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, the Trust paid a dividends of approximately $280,000 ($0.48440.484 per share per quarter for a total of $1.9375 per share total) on Power REIT’s 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock.

Power REIT was formed as part of a reorganization and reverse triangular merger of P&WV that closed on December 2, 2011. P&WV survived the reorganization as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.

 

Power REIT has elected to be treated for tax purposes as a REIT, which means that it is exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a sufficient portion of its annual income is distributed to its shareholders, and if certain other requirements are met. In order for Power REIT to maintain its REIT qualification, at least 90% of its ordinary taxable annual income must be distributed to shareholders.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

An investment in Power REIT’s securities involves significant risks. Anyone who is making an investment decision regarding Power REIT’s securities should, before making that decision, carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this document. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and future performance. If any of the circumstances contemplated in the following risk factors were to occur, Power REIT’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could all be materially adversely affected. In any such case, you could lose all or part of your investment.

4

 

Risks Related to our Operations

 

Our business strategy includes growth plans. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if we fail to grow or fail to manage our growth or investments effectively.

Power REIT is pursuing a growth strategy focused on infrastructure propertiesnon-traditional asset classes that qualify as real estate for REIT purposes. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in significant growth stages of development. General and administrative expenses, including expenses related to tax, legal and audit have been high and are expected to continue to be high, due to the complex organization of Power REIT, expenses related to growth and our litigation matter now complete more fully discussed below in this Risk Factors section and in Item 3, Legal Proceedings. We cannot assure you that we will be able to expand our market presence in our existing markets or successfully enter new markets or that any such expansion will not adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to manage potential transactions to successful conclusions, or failure more generally to manage our growth effectively, could have a material adverse effect on our business, future prospects, financial condition or results of operations and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy or pay dividends.dividends in the future.

 

Even if we are able to execute our business strategy, that strategy may not be successful.

 

Even if the Company is able to expand its business as it intends, its investments may not be successful due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to asset under-performance, higher than forecast expenses, failure or delinquency on the part of the Company’s lessees, changes in market conditions or other factors, any of which may result in lower returns than expected and may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities and we may be unable to identify and complete acquisitions of real property assets.

 

We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and public and private REITs to make the types of investments that we plan to make in the U.S. infrastructure sector.make. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are currently not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, allowing them to pay higher consideration, consider a wider variety of investments and establish more effective relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the restrictions that our REIT status imposes on us. These competitive conditions could adversely affect our ability to make investments in the infrastructure sector and could adversely affect our distributions to stockholders. Moreover, our ability to close transactions will be subject to our ability to access financing within stipulated contractual time frames, and there is no assurance that we will have access to such financing on terms that are favorable to us, if at all.

 

5

Because we may distribute a significant portion of our income to our stockholders or lenders, we will continue to need additional capital to make new investments. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on favorable terms, our ability to make new investments will be impaired.

 

Because we may to distribute a significant portion of our income to our shareholders or lenders, our business may from time to time require substantial amounts of new capital if we are to achieve our growth plans. We may acquire additional capital from the issuance of securities senior to our common shares, including additional borrowings or other indebtedness, preferred shares (such as our Series A Preferred Stock, which we have recently begun issuing)Stock) or the issuance of other securities. We may also acquire additional capital through the issuance of additional common shares. However, we may not be able to raise additional capital in the future, on favorable terms or at all. Unfavorable business, market or general economic conditions could increase our funding costs, limit our access to capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us.

To the extent we issue debt securities, other instruments of indebtedness or additional preferred stock, or borrow additional money from banks or other financial institutions, we will be additionally exposed to risks associated with leverage, including increased risk of loss. If we issue additional preferred securities that rank senior to our common shares in our capital structure, the holders of such preferred securities may have separate voting rights and other rights, preferences or privileges, economic and otherwise, more favorable than those of our common shares, and the issuance of such preferred securities could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for common shareholders.

 

Any inability to access additional financing on terms that are favorable to us may adversely affect our ability to grow and our business generally.

 

The Company’s investment portfolio is, and in the future may continue to be, concentrated in its exposure to a relatively few number of investments, industries and lessees.

As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Company had fourowns ten property investments, consisting of its ownership of its fourfive investment subsidiaries: P&WV, PWSS, PWTS, PWRS and PWRS.PW JAB. Payments from NSC to P&WV under the Railroad Lease represented approximately 47%42% and 46% of Power REIT’s consolidated revenues for each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Payments from PWRS’s tenant represented approximately 37% and 41%of Power REIT’s consolidated revenues in each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016.2018, respectively. As the Company grows, its portfolio will likely stillmay remain concentrated in a limited number of investments for a substantial period of time.investments.

 

The Company is exposed to risks inherent in this sort of investment concentration. Financial difficulty or poor business performance on the part of any single lessee or a default on any single lease will expose the Company to a greater risk of loss than would be the case if the Company were more diversified and holding numerous investments, and the underperformance or non-performance of any of its assets may severely adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results from operations. The Company’s lessees could seek the protection of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, which could result in the rejection and termination of our lease agreements and could cause a reduction in the Company’s cash flows. Furthermore, the Company intends to concentrate its investment activities in the infrastructure sector, including energy and transportation, which will subject the Company to more risks than if the Company were diversified across many sectors. At times, the performance of the infrastructure sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole.

 

6

We may incur additional indebtedness, which may adversely affect our financial condition and limit our ability to pay dividends.

 

Our governing documents do not limit us from incurring additional indebtedness and other liabilities. On a consolidated basis as of December 31, 2017,2019, we had approximately $10.0$24.6 million of indebtedness and other liabilities, a substantial portionall of which is secured. We may incur additional indebtedness and become more highly leveraged, which could harm our financial condition and potentially limit our ability to pay dividends.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay dividends regularly.

 

Our ability to pay dividends is dependent on our available cash, our ability to operate profitably and our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operations and distribute them up from our subsidiaries. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to pay dividends on a regular basis.

 

If our acquisitions or our overall business performance fail to meet expectations, the amount of cash available to us to pay dividends may decrease.

 

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to pay dividends at a specific level or to increase the amount of these dividends from time to time. Also, restrictions and provisions in any credit facilities we enter into or any debt securities we issue may limit our ability to pay dividends. We cannot assure you that you will receive dividends at a particular time, or at a particular level, or at all.

 

The issuance of securities with claims that are senior to those of the common shares of the Company, including the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, may limit or prevent the Company from paying dividends on its common shares. There is no limitation on the Company’s ability to issue securities senior to the Company’s common shares or incur indebtedness.

 

The Company’s common shares are equity interests that rank junior to the Company’s indebtedness and other non-equity claims with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against the Company, and junior to preferred securities of the Company that by their terms rank senior to common shares in the Company’s capital structure, including the Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Company has incurred debt in connection with its real estate acquisitions, and has issued approximately $3.5 million of its Series A Preferred Stock. This debt and these preferred securities rank senior to the Company’s common shares in the Company’s capital structure. The Company expects that in due course it may incur more debt, and issue additional preferred securities, as it pursues its business strategy.

 

In the case of indebtedness, specified amounts of principal and interest are customarily payable on specified due dates. In the case of preferred securities, such as the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, holders are provided with a senior claim to distributions, according to the specific terms of the securities. In contrast, however, in the case of common shares, dividends are payable only when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Trustees and depend on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, debt service requirements, obligations to pay distributions to holders of preferred securities, such as the Series A Preferred Stock, other cash needs and any other factors that the Board of Trustees may deem relevant or that they are required to consider as a matter of law. The incurrence by the Company of additional debt, and the issuance by the Company of additional preferred securities, may limit or eliminate the amounts available to the Company to pay dividends on its common shares.

7

Our ability to pay dividends is limited by the Maryland law.

 

Our ability to pay dividends is limited by the laws of Maryland. Under applicable Maryland law, a Maryland real estate investment trust generally may not make a distribution if, after giving effect to the distribution, the entity would not be able to pay its debts as those debts come due in the usual course of business, or the entity’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus (unless the entity’s charter provides otherwise) the amount that would be needed if the entity were dissolved at the time of the distribution to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. Accordingly, we may not be able to make a distribution on our common shares or Series A Preferred Stock if, after giving effect to the distribution, we would not be able to pay our debts as they come due in the usual course of business or (in the case of our common shares) our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, or (in the case of our Series A Preferred Stock), our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders of any outstanding securities with rights or preferences senior to those of the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

The ability of the RegistrantTrust to service its obligations and pay dividends depends on the ability of its wholly-owned subsidiaries to make distributions to it.

Because the RegistrantTrust holds its assets through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, its ability to service its debt and other obligations, and to pay dividends on its preferred and common shares, is dependent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and their ability to make distributions to the Registrant.Trust. To the extent any of the Registrant’sTrust’s subsidiaries are ever unable, through operation of law or otherwise, to make distributions to the Registrant,Trust, and as a result the RegistrantTrust is unable to service its debt or other obligations or pay dividends, our business and the prices of our securities may be adversely affected. In addition, in such circumstances, the RegistrantTrust may be forced to issue additional equity or debt, at unfavorable terms, in order to have the cash on hand with which to maintain its compliance with Internal Revenue Service rules that require the RegistrantTrust to distribute 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders or lose its REIT status. Or, if such equity or debt funding is unavailable, the RegistrantTrust may lose its REIT status.

 

We are dependent upon Mr. David H. Lesser for our success. On occasion, his interests may conflict with ours.

 

We are dependent on the diligence, expertise and business relationships of our management team to implement our strategy of acquiring and benefitting from the ownership of infrastructure-related real property assets. This is particularly true at the current time, when we have only a single individual, David Lesser, comprising our management team. Were Mr. Lesser unable to function on behalf of the Company, including in his roles as CEO and Chairman, the Company’s business and prospects would be adversely affected. Moreover, Mr. Lesser has other business interests to which he dedicates a portion of his time that are unrelated to Power REIT. Although Mr. Lesser is one of our major shareholders, on occasion, those other interests of his may conflict with his interests in Power REIT, and such conflicts may be unfavorable to us.

In addition, on occasion, Mr. Lesser may have financial interests that conflict, or appear to conflict, with the Company’s interests. For example, an affiliate of Mr. Lesser’sLesser has provided bridge funding for two of the Company’s acquisitions. Although a majority of our disinterested trustees must approve, and in those instances did approve, Power REIT’s involvement in such transactions, in any such circumstance, there may be conflicts of interest between Power REIT on one hand, and Mr. Lesser and his affiliates and interests on the other hand, and such conflicts may be unfavorable to us.

 

From time to time, our management team may own interests in our lessees or other counterparties, and may thereby have interests that conflict or appear to conflict with the Company’s interests.

 

On occasion, our management team may own interests in our lessees or other counterparties. Although our Declaration of Trust, as amended, restated and supplemented (and which we occasionally refer to herein as our “charter”) permits this type of business relationship and a majority of our disinterested trustees must approve any such transaction, in any such circumstance, there may be conflicts of interest between Power REIT on one hand, and the relevant member or members of our management team on the other hand, and these conflicts may be unfavorable to us.

 

8

Most of ourOur renewable energy lessees and many future lessees will likely be structured as special purpose vehicles, and therefore their ability to pay us is expected to be dependent solely on the revenues of a specific project, without additional credit support.

 

Most of our lessees will likely be structured as special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”), whose only source of cash flow will be from the operations of a single energy facility. If the energy facility fails to perform as projected, the SPV lessee might not have sufficient cash flow to make lease or interest payments to us. While we would expect the lenders or other parties connected to such SPVs to step in and continue to make payments to us, there can be no assurance that such parties would do so, rather than, for example, liquidating the facility. Further, if the facility materially underperforms or if energy supply contracts or other contracts are cancelled, there may be little value in such SPV lessees, and our investments in real estate relating to their facilities may become impaired.

 

Some losses related to our real property assets may not be covered by insurance or indemnified by our lessees, and so could adversely affect us.

 

Our new leases will generally require our lessees to carry insurance on our properties against risks customarily insured against by other companies engaged in similar businesses in the same geographic region, and to indemnify us against certain losses. However, there are some types of losses, including catastrophic acts of nature, acts of war or riots, for which we or our lessees cannot obtain insurance at an acceptable cost. If there is an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insurance limits, we could lose the revenues generated by the affected property and the capital we have invested in the property, assuming our lessee fails to pay us the casualty value in excess of such insurance limit, if any, or to indemnify us for such loss. Nevertheless, in such a circumstance we might still remain obligated to repay any secured indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

 

9

Legislative, regulatory, accounting or tax rules, and any changes to them or actions brought to enforce them, could adversely affect us.

 

We and our lessees are subject to a wide range of legislative, regulatory, accounting and tax rules. The costs and efforts of compliance with these laws, or of defending against actions brought to enforce them, could adversely affect us, either directly if we are subject to such laws or actions, or indirectly if our lessees are subject to them.

 

In addition, if there are changes to the laws, regulations or administrative decisions and actions that affect us, we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply, or we may have to restrict or change our operations. For example, changes to the accounting treatment of leases by both lessors and lessees under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) could change the presentation of information in our financial statements and as a result affect the perception of our business and our growth plans. Changes to Internal Revenue Service interpretations of “real assets” or changes to the REIT portion of the Internal Revenue Code could affect our plans, operations, financial condition and share price.

We have invested, and expect to continue to invest, in real property assets, which are subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety. These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, noise levels, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials and the remediation of contamination associated with disposals. Environmental laws and regulations may impose joint and several liabilities on tenants, owners or operators for the costs to investigate and remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. This liability could be substantial. In addition, the presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, could adversely affect our ability to sell, rent or pledge an affected property as collateral for future borrowings. We intend to take commercially reasonable steps when we can to protect ourselves from the risks of environmental law liability; however, we will not obtain independent third-party environmental assessments for every property we acquire. In addition, any such assessments that we do obtain may not reveal all environmental liabilities, or whether a prior owner of a property created a material environmental condition not known to us. In addition, there are various local, state and federal fire, health, safety and similar regulations with which we or our lessees may be required to comply, and that may subject us or them to liability in the form of fines or damages. In all events, our lessees’ operations, the existing condition of land when we buy it, operations in the vicinity of our properties or activities of unrelated third parties could all affect our properties in ways that lead to costs being imposed on us.

 

Any material expenditures, fines, damages or forced changes to our business or strategy resulting from any of the above could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Changes in interest rates may negatively affect the value of our assets, our access to debt financing and the trading price of our securities.

 

The value of our investments in certain assets may decline if long-term interest rates increase. If interest rates were to rise from their current historically low levels, it may affect the perceived or actual values of our assets and dividends, and consequently the prices of our securities may decline.

 

Furthermore, to the extent the Company has borrowed funds, a rise in interest rates may result in re-financing risk when those borrowings become due, and the Company may be required to pay higher interest rates or issue additional equity to refinance its borrowings, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

10

Our quarterly results may fluctuate.

 

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including variations in the returns on our current and future investments, the interest rates payable on our debt, the level of our expenses, the levels and timing of the recognition of our realized and unrealized gains and losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and other business, market and general economic conditions. Consequently, our results of operations for any current or historical period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in any future period.

 

We may not be able to sell our real property assets when we desire. In particular, in order to maintain our status as a REIT, we may be forced to borrow funds or sell assets during unfavorable market conditions.

 

Investments in real property are relatively illiquid compared to other investments. Accordingly, we may not be able to sell real property assets when we desire or at prices acceptable to us. This could substantially reduce the funds available for satisfying our obligations, including any debt or preferred share obligations, and for distributions to our common shareholders.

As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, to our shareholders. To the extent that we satisfy the REIT distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. In addition to applicable federal taxation, we may be subject to state taxation.

 

From time to time, we may have taxable income greater than our cash flow available for distribution to our shareholders (for example, due to substantial non-deductible cash outlays, such as capital expenditures or principal payments on debt). If we did not have other funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or find alternative sources of funds in order to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and avoid income and excise taxes in a particular year. Any of these outcomes could increase our operating costs and diminish our available cash flows or ability to grow.

 

We may fail to remain qualified as a REIT, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders and may have other adverse consequences.

 

Qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes is governed by highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. Our qualification as a REIT also depends on various facts and circumstances that are not entirely within our control. In addition, legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions might all change the tax laws with respect to the requirements for qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of qualification as a REIT.

 

If, with respect to any taxable year, we were to fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we would not be able to deduct distributions to our shareholders in computing our taxable income and would have to pay federal corporate income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income. If we had to pay federal income tax, the amount of money available to distribute to our shareholders would be reduced for the year or years involved. In addition, we would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost and thus our cash available for distribution to our shareholders would be reduced in each of those years, unless we were entitled to relief under relevant statutory provisions. Failure to qualify as a REIT could result in additional expenses or additional adverse consequences, which may include the forced liquidation of some or all of our investments.

Although we currently intend to operate in a manner designed to allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT, future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations might cause us to lose our REIT status, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy and pay dividends.

 

If an investment that was initially believed to be a real property asset is later deemed not to have been a real property asset at the time of investment, we could lose our status as a REIT or be precluded from investing according to our current business plan.

 

Power REIT must meet income and asset tests to qualify as a REIT. If an investment that was originally believed to be a real asset is later deemed not to have been a real asset at the time of investment, our status as a REIT could be jeopardized or we could be precluded from investing according to our current business plan, either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, we may not seek a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to some or all of our infrastructure investments. The lack of such private letter rulings may increase the risk that an investment believed to be a real asset could later be deemed not to be a real asset. In the event that an investment is deemed to not be a real asset, we may be required to dispose of such investment, which could have a material adverse effect on us, because even if we were successful in finding a buyer, we might have difficulty finding a buyer on favorable terms or in a sufficient time frame.

If we were deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on the price of our securities.

 

A company such as ours would be considered an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), if, among other things, it owned investment securities (including minority ownership interests in subsidiaries or other entities) that have an aggregate value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets on an unconsolidated basis, or it failed to qualify under the exemption from investment company status available to companies primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.

 

We do not believe that we are, or are likely to become, an investment company under the 1940 Act. Nevertheless, if we were deemed to be an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our operations and the price of our common shares.

 

Net leases may not result in fair market lease rates over time.

 

We expect a portion of our future income to come from net leases, whereby the lessee is responsible for all the costs, insurance and taxes of a property, including maintenance. Net leases typically have longer lease terms and, thus, there is an increased risk that if market rental rates increase in future years, the rates under our net leases will be less than fair market rental rates during those years. As a result, our income and distributions could be lower than they would otherwise be if we did not enter into net leases. When appropriate, we will seek to include a clause in each lease that provides increases in rent over the term of the lease, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in securing such a clause. Some of our investments may include “percentage of gross revenue” lease payments, which may result in positive or negative outcomes depending on the performance of the acquired asset.

If a sale-leaseback transaction is recharacterized in a lessee’s bankruptcy proceeding, our financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

In certain cases, we intend to enter into sale-leaseback transactions, whereby we would purchase a property and then simultaneously lease the same property back to the seller. In the event of the bankruptcy of a lessee company, a transaction structured as a sale-leaseback may be recharacterized as either a financing or a joint venture, either of which outcomes could adversely affect our business. If the sale-leaseback were recharacterized as a financing, we might not be considered the owner of the property, and as a result would have the status of a creditor in relation to the lessee company. In that event, we would no longer have the right to sell or encumber our ownership interest in the property. Instead, we would have a claim against the lessee company for the amounts owed under the lease, with the claim arguably secured by the property, and the lessee company/debtor might have the ability to restructure the terms, interest rate and amortization schedule of its outstanding balance. If new terms were confirmed by the bankruptcy court, we could be bound by them, and prevented from foreclosing on the property. If the sale-leaseback were recharacterized as a joint venture, we and the lessee company could be treated as co-venturers with regard to the property. As a result, we could be held liable, under some circumstances, for debts incurred by the lessee company relating to the property. Either of these outcomes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common shares.

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making difficult a change in control of Power REIT. The business combination provisions of Maryland law (if our Board of Trustees decides to make them applicable to us), the control share acquisition provisions of Maryland law (if the applicable provisions in our Bylaws are rescinded), the limitations on removal of Trustees, the restrictions on the acquisition of our common shares, the power to issue additional shares and the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the common shares or might otherwise be in their best interests.

 

In order to assist us in complying with limitations on the concentration of ownership of REIT stock imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, among other purposes, our charter provides that no natural person or entity may, directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively own more than 9.9% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares of all classes. In addition, our Board of Trustees may, without stockholder action, authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock. Our Board of Trustees may, without stockholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative impact on the price of our common shares and may discourage third party bids for ownership of our Company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to holders of common shares.

Risks Related to Our Investment Strategy

 

Our focus on thenon-traditional real estate asset classes including Controlled Environment Agriculture, alternative energy and transportation infrastructure sectors will subject us to more risks than if we were broadly diversified to include other asset classes.

 

Because we specifically focus on infrastructurenon-traditional real estate assets, investments in our securities may present more risks than if we were broadly diversified over numerous sectors of the economy. For example, a downturn in the U.S. energy or transportation infrastructure sectors would have a larger impact on us than on a company that does not concentrate in one sector of the economy. Factors that may adversely affect our investments include, but are not limited to, changes in supply and demand for infrastructure consumption, prices of national and global commodities, government regulation, world and regional events and general economic conditions.

 

Renewable energy resources are complex, and our investments in them rely on long-term projections of resource and equipment availability and capital and operating costs; if our or our lessees’ projections are incorrect, we may suffer losses.

 

Although the projection of renewable energy resource availability has been analyzed for decades across different geographies, technologies and topologies, long-term projections of renewable resource availability at a particular site, the availability of generating equipment and the operating costs of harvesting such renewable energy are subject to various uncertainties and in many cases must rely on estimates at best. If any such projections are materially incorrect, our lessees could suffer financial losses, which could adversely affect our investments. In addition, investments based on a percentage of gross revenue could under-perform our investment projections, leading to adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations.

Infrastructure assets may be subject to the risk of fluctuations in commodity prices and in the supply of and demand for infrastructure consumption.

The operations and financial performance of companies in the infrastructure sector may be directly or indirectly affected by commodity prices and fluctuations in infrastructure supply and demand. Commodity prices and infrastructure demand fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in market and economic conditions, the impact of weather on demand or supply, levels of domestic production and imported commodities, energy conservation, domestic and foreign governmental regulation and taxation and the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems. Fluctuations in commodity prices may increase costs for consumers of energy-related infrastructure assets and therefore reduce demand for such infrastructure. Further, extreme price fluctuation upwards or downwards could lead to the development of alternatives to existing energy-related infrastructure and could impair the value of our investments.

 

Volatility in commodity prices or in the supply of and demand for infrastructure assets may make it more difficult for companies in the infrastructure sector to raise capital to the extent the market perceives that their performance may be tied directly or indirectly to commodity prices. Historically, commodity prices have been cyclical and have exhibited significant volatility. Should infrastructure companies experience variations in supply and demand, the resulting decline in operating or financial performance could adversely affect the value or quality of our assets.

14

 

Infrastructure investments are subject to obsolescence risks.

 

Infrastructure assets are subject to obsolescence risks that could occur as a result of changing supply and demand, new types of construction, changing demographics, changing weather patterns and new technologies. In any such event, there might be few alternative uses for our investments, and our investments might drop in value.

 

Renewable energy investments may be adversely affected by variations in weather patterns.

 

Renewable energy investments may be adversely affected by variations in weather patterns, including shifting wind or solar resources and including variations brought about by climate changes, which would cause earnings volatility for our lessees or borrowers and which could affect their ability to make lease or other contractual payments to us. Lease payments that are structured as a percentage of gross revenue typically fluctuate from period to period. Although we believe these fluctuations tend to average out over time, to the extent that our projections are incorrect because weather patterns change significantly, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

If the development of renewable energy projects slows, we may have a harder time sourcing investments.

 

Renewable energy projects are dependent on a variety of factors, including government Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), equipment costs and federal and state incentives. Changes in some or all of these factors could result in reduced construction of renewable projects and may make it harder for us to source investments that are attractive to us, and this could have an adverse affect on our business. Volatility in project development and construction may result in uneven growth and may make it hard to predict with certainty our growth trends or patterns, which could make our securities less appealing to investors.

Investments in renewable energy may be dependent on equipment or manufacturers that have limited operating histories or financial or other challenges.

 

Although most wind, solar and other renewable energy projects use technologies that are well understood by the market, many technologies are undergoing rapid changes and improvements and many have not been tested in operating environments for the expected durations of our investments. Some manufacturers are new or relatively new and may not have the financial ability to support their extended warranties. As a result, if the future performance of equipment that is a basis for a lessee’s revenues is lower than projected, such a lessee may have difficulty making its lease payments to us and our business could suffer.

 

Risks Related to Our Securities

 

There is a 9.9% limit on the amount of our equity securities that any one person or entity may own.

 

In order to assist us in complying with limitations on the concentration of ownership of REIT stock imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, among other purposes, our charter provides that no natural person or entity may, directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively own more than 9.9% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares of all classes. If a person were found to own more than this amount, whether as a result of intentionally purchasing our securities, developments outside such person’s control or otherwise – for example, as a result of changes in the Company’s capital structure, the inheritance of securities, or otherwise – then, among other things, the transfers leading to the violation of the 9.9% limit would be void and the Board of Trustees would be authorized to take such actions as it deemed advisable to insure the undoing of the transfers.

 

15

Factors could lead to the Company losing one or both of its NYSE listings.

 

The Company could lose its common shares listing or its Series A Preferred Stock listing, both on the NYSE, depending on a number of factors, including a failure by us to continue to qualify as a REIT, a failure to meet the NYSE ongoing listing requirements, including those relating to the number of shareholders, the price of the Company’s securities and the amount and composition of the Company’s assets, changes in NYSE ongoing listing requirements and other factors.

 

Low trading volumes in the Company’s listed securities may adversely affect holders’ ability to resell their securities at prices that are attractive, or at all.

 

Power REIT’s common shares are traded on the NYSE MKTAmerican under the ticker “PW”. The average daily trading volume of Power REIT’s common shares is less than that of the listed securities of many other companies, including larger companies. During the 12 months endingended December 31, 2017,2019, the average daily trading volume for the Company’s common shares was approximately 5,40014,373 shares. Power REIT’s Series A Preferred Stock is traded on the NYSE MKTAmerican under the ticker “PW PRA”. The Series A Preferred Stock has been listed since March 18, 2014, it has not yet achieved significant trading volumes over a material amount of time and even if an active and liquid trading market for the Series A Preferred Stock develops, it may not be sustained. Nevertheless, because2014. Because the Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date, investors seeking liquidity may be limited to selling their shares of Series A Preferred Stock in the secondary market. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2017, the average daily trading volume for the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock was approximately 115 shares. In part due to the relatively small trading volume of the Company’s listed securities, any material sales of such securities by any person may place significant downward pressure on the market price of the Company’s listed securities. In general, as a result of low trading volumes, it may be difficult for holders of the Company’s listed securities to sell their securities at prices they find attractive, or at all.

The price of the Company’s securities may fluctuate significantly and this may make it difficult for holders to sell the Company’s securities when desired or at prices that are attractive.

 

The market value of the Company’s securities will likely fluctuate in response to a number of factors, including factors that are beyond the Company’s control. The market value of the Company’s securities may also be affected by conditions affecting the financial markets generally, including the volatility of trading markets. These conditions may result in fluctuations in the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, the Company’s securities, as well as sales of substantial amounts of the Company’s securities in the market, in each case to a degree that could be unrelated or disproportionate to any changes in the Company’s operating performance. Such market fluctuations could adversely affect the market value of the Company’s securities. A significant decline in the price or prices of Company securities could result in substantial losses for security holders and could lead to costly and disruptive securities litigation.

 

Our ability to issue preferred stock in the future could adversely affect the rights of existing holders of our equity securities.

 

Our charter permits our Board of Trustees to increase the number of authorized shares of our capital stock without the approval of holders of our common shares or Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, our charter permits our Board of Trustees to reclassify any or all of our unissued authorized shares as shares of preferred stock in one or more new series on terms determinable by our Board of Trustees, without the approval of holders of our common shares or Series A Preferred Stock. Future reclassifications or issuances by us of preferred stock, whether Series A Preferred Stock or some new series of preferred stock, could effectively diminish our ability to pay dividends or other distributions to existing equity security holders, including distributions upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

16

The issuance of additional equity securities may dilute existing equity holders.

 

The issuance of additional equity securities may result in the dilution of existing equity securities holders. Although the Company expects to deploy additional equity capital principally for the purpose of makingseeking to make accretive transactions, and in such cases mayseeks to not dilute the economic value of equity securities held by existing holders, such additional issuances may dilute existing equity securities holders’ percentage ownership of the Company, and the percentage of voting power they hold, depending on the terms of the newly issued equity securities.

 

Our preferred stock is subject to interest rate risk.

 

Distributions payable on our Series A Preferred Stock are subject to interest rate risk. Because dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock are fixed, our costs may increase upon maturity or redemption of the securities. This might require us to sell investments at a time when we would otherwise not do so, which could affect adversely our ability to generate cash flow. To the extent that our Series A Preferred Stock may have call or conversion provisions that are in our favor at a given time, such provisions may be detrimental to the returns experienced by the holders of the securities.

 

Inflation may negatively affect the value of our preferred stock and the dividends we pay.

 

Inflation is the reduction in the purchasing power of money, resulting from an increase in the price of goods and services. Inflation risk is the risk that the inflation-adjusted, or “real”, value of an investment will be worth less in the future. If and when the economy experiences material rates of inflation, the real value of our Series A Preferred Stock and the dividends payable to holders will decline.

Our Series A Preferred Stock has not been rated and is junior to our existing and future debt, and the interests of holders of Series A Preferred Stock could be diluted by the issuance of additional parity-preferred securities and by other transactions.

 

Our Series A Preferred Stock has not been rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, which may negatively affect its market value and a holder’s ability to sell it. It is possible that one or more rating agencies might independently determine to issue such a rating and that such a rating, if issued, could adversely affect the market price of our Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, we may elect in the future to obtain a rating of our Series A Preferred Stock, which could adversely affect its market price. Ratings reflect only the views of the rating agency or agencies issuing the ratings, and they could be revised downward or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency if in its judgment circumstances so warrant. Any such downward revision or withdrawal of a rating could have an adverse effect on the market price of our Series A Preferred Stock.

 

The payment of amounts due on the Series A Preferred Stock will be junior in payment preference to all of our existing and future debt and any securities we may issue in the future that have rights or preferences senior to those of the Series A Preferred Stock. We may issue additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or additional shares of preferred stock in the future which are on a parity with (or, upon the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, senior to) the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Additional issuance of preferred securities or other transactions could reduce the pro-rata assets available for distribution upon liquidation and you may not receive your full liquidation preference if there are not sufficient assets. In addition, issuance of additional preferred securities or other transactions could dilute your voting rights with respect to certain matters that require votes or the consent of holders of our Series A Preferred Stock.

 

17

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock have limited voting rights.

 

The voting rights of a holder of Series A Preferred Stock are limited. Our common stock is the only class of our securities carrying full voting rights. Voting rights for holders of Series A Preferred Stock exist only with respect to amendments to our charter (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) that materially and adversely affect the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, the authorization or issuance of classes or series of equity securities that are senior to the Series A Preferred Stock and, if we fail to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive), the election of additional trustees. Holders would not, however, have any voting rights if we amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our charter or the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock in connection with a merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets or otherwise, so long as the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding and its terms remain materially unchanged or holders receive stock of the successor entity with substantially identical rights, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an event described in this sentence, we may not be the surviving entity. Furthermore, if holders receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series A Preferred Stock on the last date prior to the first public announcement of an event described in the preceding sentence, or the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of such event, pursuant to the occurrence of any of the events described in the preceding sentence, then holders will not have any voting rights with respect to the events described in the preceding sentence.

The change of control conversion and delisting conversion features of our Series A Preferred Stock may not adequately compensate a holder of such securities upon a Change of Control or Delisting Event (as such terms as defined in regard to our Series A Preferred Stock), and the change of control conversion, delisting conversion and redemption features of our Series A Preferred Stock may make it more difficult for a party to take over our company or may discourage a party from taking over our company.

 

Upon a Change of Control or Delisting Event, holders of our Series A Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our special optional redemption rights) to convert all or part of their Series A Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration). If our common stock price were less than $5.00 (which is approximately 61% of the per-share closing sale price of our common stock on March 24, 2014), subject to adjustment, holders will receive a maximum of 5 shares of our common stock per share of Series A Preferred Stock, which may result in a holder receiving value that is less than the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, the foregoing features of our Series A Preferred Stock may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for our company or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then current market prices of those securities, or that holders may otherwise believe is in their best interests.

 

We may issue additional Series A Preferred Stock at a discount to liquidation value or at a discount to the issuance value of shares of Series A Preferred Stock already issued.

 

We may offer additional Series A Preferred Stock at prices or yields that represent a discount to liquidation value, or that represent a discount to the price paid for or the yield applicable to shares of Series A Preferred Stock previously issued and sold. Such sales could adversely affect the market price of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Risks Related to Regulation

Our business activities, and the business activities of our cannabis tenant, while believed to be compliant with applicable U.S. state and local laws, are currently illegal under U.S. federal law.

While certain states in the U.S. have legalized “medical cannabis,” “adult-use cannabis” or both, medical and adult-use cannabis remains illegal under federal law. The U.S. Controlled Substances Act (the “CSA”) classifies “marijuana” as a Schedule I drug. Under U.S. federal law, a drug or other substance is placed on Schedule I if:

“[t]he drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse”;
“[t]he drug or other substance has no accepted medical use in the United States”; and
“[t]here is a lack of safety for the use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.”

As such, cannabis-related business activities, including, without limitation, the cultivation, manufacture, importation, possession, use or distribution of cannabis, remains illegal under U.S. federal law. Although we believe our cannabis-related activities are compliant with the laws and regulations of the State of Colorado, strict compliance with state and local rules and regulations with respect to cannabis neither absolves us of liability under U.S. federal law, nor provides a defense to any proceeding that may be brought against us under U.S. federal law. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that our cannabis tenant, and any future cannabis tenants, are currently operating, and will continue to operate, in strict compliance with state and local rules and regulations in which they operate. Any proceeding that may be brought against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Violations of any U.S. federal laws and regulations could result in significant fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements, arising from either civil or criminal proceedings brought by either the U.S. federal government or private citizens, including, but not limited to, property seizures, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business activities or divestiture. Such fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements could have a material adverse effect on us, including, but not limited to:

our reputation and our ability to conduct business and/or maintain our current business relationships;
the listing of our securities on the NYSE American (the “NYSE”); and
the market price of our common shares.

We cannot assure you that our common shares will remain listed on the NYSE.

Our common shares are currently listed on the NYSE. To our knowledge, the NYSE has not approved for listing any U.S.-based companies engaged in cannabis-related activities, other than Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR), a cannabis-focused real estate investment trust listed in late 2016 just prior to the nomination of former Attorney General Sessions. Although we currently meet the maintenance listing standards of the NYSE, we cannot assure you that we will continue to meet those standards, or that the NYSE will not seek to delist our common stock as a result of our entry into a lease agreement with a licensed U.S. cannabis cultivator. If we are delisted from the NYSE, then our common shares will trade, if at all, only on the over-the-counter market, such as the OTCQB or OTCQX trading platforms, and then only if one or more registered broker-dealer market makers comply with quotation requirements. Any potential delisting of our common shares from the NYSE could, among other things, depress our share price, substantially limit liquidity of our common shares and materially adversely affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

The U.S. federal government’s approach towards cannabis laws may be subject to change or may not proceed as previously outlined.

In an effort to provide guidance to U.S. federal law enforcement, under former President Barak Obama, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), released a memorandum on August 29, 2013 entitled “Guidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement” from former Deputy Attorney General James Cole (the “Cole Memorandum”). The Cole Memorandum sought to limit the use of the U.S. federal government’s prosecutorial resources by providing United States attorneys (“U.S. Attorneys”) with certain priorities (the “Cole Priorities”) on which to focus their attention in states that have established cannabis programs with regulatory enforcement systems. U.S. Attorneys were required to adhere to the Cole Priorities until the rescission of the Cole Memorandum in January 2018.

While the rescission of the Cole Memorandum did not create a change in U.S. federal law, as the Cole Memorandum was policy guidance and not law, the revocation removed the DOJ’s guidance to U.S. Attorneys that state-regulated cannabis industries substantively in compliance with the Cole Memorandum’s guidelines should not be a prosecutorial priority. Accordingly, the rescission added to the uncertainty of U.S. federal enforcement of the CSA in states where cannabis use is regulated. Pursuant to his rescission of the Cole Memorandum, former Attorney General Jeffrey B. Sessions also issued a one-page memorandum known as the “Sessions Memorandum.” According to the Sessions Memorandum, the Cole Memorandum was “unnecessary” due to existing general enforcement guidance adopted in the 1980s, as set forth in the U.S. Attorney’s Manual (the “USAM”). The USAM enforcement priorities, like those of the Cole Memorandum, are also based on the U.S. federal government’s limited resources, and include “law enforcement priorities set by the Attorney General,” the “seriousness” of the alleged crimes, the “deterrent effect of criminal prosecution,” and “the cumulative impact of particular crimes on the community.” To date, U.S. Attorney General William Barr has not issued statements or guidance in his official capacity since becoming Attorney General with respect to the medical or adult-use of cannabis, although in his confirmation hearings he indicated that he believed that rescinding the Cole Memorandum was a mistake.

The United States House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (currently known as the “Joyce Amendment” and formerly known as the “Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment”), which funds the DOJ. Under the Joyce Amendment, the DOJ is prohibited from using federal funds to prevent states “from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.” In particular, the Joyce Amendment only prohibits the use of federal funds to prosecute individuals and businesses operating cannabis companies in compliance with state laws regulating the medical use of cannabis and does not apply to adult-use cannabis operations. The Joyce Amendment must be renewed each federal fiscal year and was subsequently renewed by the U.S. Congress (“Congress”) through September 30, 2019. There can be no assurance that Congress will further renew the Joyce Amendment for the 2020 fiscal year.

The U.S. federal government’s approach towards cannabis and cannabis-related activities remains uncertain. If the Joyce Amendment is not renewed in the future, and/or until the U.S. federal government amends the laws and its enforcement policies with respect to cannabis, there is a risk that the DOJ and other U.S. federal agencies may utilize U.S. federal funds to enforce the CSA in states with a medical and adult-use cannabis program, which could have a material adverse effect on our current and future cannabis tenants.

Furthermore, while we have acquired and may acquire additional cannabis facilities with the intent to lease those facilities for the cultivation and processing of medical-use cannabis facilities, our lease agreements do not prohibit our cannabis tenant from cultivating and processing cannabis for adult use, provided that such tenant complies with all applicable state and local rules and regulations. Certain of our tenants may opt to cultivate adult-use cannabis in our medical-use cannabis facilities, which may in turn subject our cannabis tenant, us and our properties to federal enforcement actions.

Laws, regulations and the policies with respect to the enforcement of such laws and regulations affecting the cannabis industry in the United States are constantly changing, and we cannot predict the impact that future regulations may have on us.

Medical and adult-use cannabis laws and regulations in the United States are complex, broad in scope, and subject to evolving interpretations. As a result, compliance with such laws and regulations could require us to incur substantial costs or alter certain aspects of our business. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt certain aspects of our business plan and may have a material adverse effect on certain aspects of our planned operations. Further, regulations may be enacted in the future that will be directly applicable to certain aspects of our cannabis-related activities. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, especially in the United States, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.

Currently, there are 33 states plus the District of Columbia and certain U.S. territories that have laws and/or regulations that recognize, in one form or another, consumer use of cannabis in connection with medical treatment. Of those, 11 states plus the District of Columbia and certain U.S. territories have laws and/or regulations that permit the adult-use of cannabis. As cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance under the CSA, U.S. federal laws and regulations prohibit a range of activities regarding cannabis. Unless and until Congress amends the CSA with respect to cannabis (the timing and scope of which is not assured and hard to predict), there is a risk that governmental authorities in the United States may enforce current U.S. federal law, and we may, through our business activities, be deemed to be operating in direct violation of U.S. federal law. Accordingly, active enforcement of the current U.S. federal regulatory position on cannabis could have a material adverse effect on us. The risk of strict enforcement of the CSA in light of Congressional activity, judicial holdings, and stated policy remains uncertain, and any regulations prohibiting the use of cannabis, or prohibiting cannabis-related activities, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, relevant state or local rules and regulations may be amended or repealed, or new rules and regulations may be enacted in the future to eliminate prohibiting the cultivation, processing and dispensing of cannabis. If our cannabis tenant, or any future cannabis tenants, are forced to cease operations, we would be required to replace such tenant with one that is not engaged in the cannabis industry, who may pay significantly lower rents. Any changes in state or local laws that reduce or eliminate the ability to cultivate and produce cannabis would likely result in a high vacancy rate for the kinds of properties that we seek to acquire, which would depress our lease rates and property values. In addition, we would realize an economic loss on any and all improvements made to properties that were to be used in connection with cannabis cultivation and processing.

We may be subject to anti-money laundering laws and regulations in the United States.

Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related activities can form the basis for prosecution under the U.S. money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the U.S. Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”), as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Treasury primarily charged with administering and enforcing the Bank Secrecy Act, previously issued a memorandum providing instructions to banks seeking to provide services to cannabis-related businesses (the “FinCEN Memorandum”). The FinCEN Memorandum states that in some circumstances, it is permissible for banks to provide services to cannabis-related businesses without risking prosecution for violation of U.S. federal money laundering laws, and explicitly refers to the Cole Priorities. As discussed above, the Cole Memorandum was rescinded in January 2018 and the decision to prosecute was left to the discretion of each U.S. Attorney in each district. As a result, it is unclear at this time whether the current administration will follow the guidelines of the FinCEN Memorandum and whether Attorney General Barr will reinstate the Cole Priorities, adopt a different enforcement policy or take no action at all. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did state, following rescission of the Cole Memorandum, that the FinCEN Memorandum remains in place. If any of our investments, or any proceeds thereof, any dividends or distributions therefrom, or any profits or revenues accruing from such investments in the United States were found to be in violation of anti-money laundering laws or otherwise, such transactions may be viewed as proceeds of crime, including under one or more of the statutes discussed above. Any property, real or personal, and its proceeds, involved in or traceable to such a crime is subject to seizure by and forfeiture to governmental authorities. Any such seizure, forfeiture or other action by law enforcement regarding our assets could restrict or otherwise jeopardize our ability to declare or pay dividends or effect other distributions, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Litigation, complaints, enforcement actions and governmental inquiries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our participation in the cannabis industry may lead to litigation, formal or informal complaints, enforcement actions and governmental inquiries. Litigation, complaints, enforcement actions and governmental inquiries could consume considerable amounts of our financial and other resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales, revenue, profitability, and growth prospects.

Litigation, complaints, enforcement actions and governmental inquiries could result from cannabis-related activities in violation of federal law, including, but not limited to, the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). RICO is a U.S. federal statute providing criminal penalties in addition to a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. Under RICO, it is unlawful for any person who has received income derived from a pattern of racketeering activity, to use or invest any of that income in the acquisition of any interest, or the establishment or operation of, any enterprise that is engaged in interstate commerce. RICO also authorizes private parties whose properties or businesses are harmed by such patterns of racketeering activity to initiate a civil action against the individuals involved. Recently, a number of RICO lawsuits have been brought by neighbors of state-licensed cannabis farms, who allege they are bothered by noise and odor associated with cannabis production, which has also led to decreased property values. By alleging that the smell of cannabis interferes with the enjoyment of their property and drives down their property value, plaintiffs in these cases have effectively elevated common law nuisance claims into federal RICO lawsuits. These lawsuits have named not only the cannabis operator, but also supply chain partners and vendors that do not directly handle or otherwise “touch” cannabis. To our knowledge, none of these cases has been entirely dismissed at the pleadings stage, and we cannot be certain how the courts will rule on cannabis-related RICO lawsuits in the future. If a property owner were to assert such a claim against us, we may be required to devote significant resources and costs to defending ourselves against such a claim, and if a property owner were to be successful on such a claim, our cannabis tenant may be unable to continue to operate its business in its current form at the property, which could materially adversely impact such tenant’s business and the value of our property, our business and, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, from time to time in the normal course of our business operations, we, or any of our subsidiaries, may become subject to litigation, complaints, enforcement actions and governmental inquiries that may result in liability material to our financial statements as a whole or may negatively affect our operating results if changes to our business operations are required. The cost to defend such litigation, complaints, actions or inquiries may be significant and may require a diversion of our resources. There also may be adverse publicity associated with such litigation, complaints, actions or inquiries that could negatively affect customer perception of our business, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. Insurance may not be available at all or in sufficient amounts to cover any liabilities with respect to these or other matters. A judgment or other liability in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We and our cannabis tenant may have difficulty accessing the service of banks, which may make it difficult for us and for them to operate.

Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related activities can form the basis for prosecution under the U.S. federal anti-money laundering statutes, unlicensed money transmitter statutes and the Bank Secrecy Act. As noted above, guidance issued by FinCEN clarifies how financial institutions can provide services to cannabis-related businesses consistent with their obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. Furthermore, since the rescission by U.S. Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions on January 4, 2018 of the Cole Memorandum, U.S. federal prosecutors have had greater discretion when determining whether to charge institutions or individuals with any of the financial crimes described above based upon cannabis-related activity. As a result, given these risks and their own related disclosure requirements, despite the guidance provided in the FinCEN Memorandum, most banks remain hesitant to offer banking services to cannabis-related businesses. Consequently, those businesses involved in the cannabis industry continue to encounter difficulty establishing or maintaining banking relationships.

While we do not presently have challenges with our banking relationships, should we have an inability to maintain our current bank accounts, or the inability of our cannabis tenants to maintain their current banking relationships, it would be difficult for us to operate our business, may increase our operating costs, could pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges and could result in our inability to implement our business plan.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None

 

Item 2. Properties

 

Registrant’s property consists of its fourten properties held through seven wholly-owned subsidiaries:

 

1.Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad. P&WV was organized in Pennsylvania in 1967 as a real estate investment trust. The property consists of approximately 112 miles of main railroad extending from Connellsville, Pennsylvania through parts of West Virginia to Pittsburgh Junction, Ohio, and approximately 20 miles of branch lines and other related property. The railroad was leased to Norfolk and Western Railway Company, now known as Norfolk Southern Corporation (“NSC”), effective in 1964, by P&WV’s predecessor company, for 99 years, and is subject to an unlimited number of 99-year renewal periods under the same terms and conditions, including annual rent payments, at the option of NSC. The more significant provisions of the Railroad Lease include:

 Annual Base Cash Rent. P&WV currently receives annual base cash rent of $915,000 per year, paid quarterly, which amount is fixed and unvarying for the life of the Railroad Lease, including any renewal periods. In addition to annual base cash rent, NSC is responsible for additional rent as described in the Railroad Lease. NSC has refused to pay the additional rent which was, in part, the subject of a multi-year litigation which ended in 2017. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings.
   
 Triple Net Lease. NSC, at its own expense and without deduction from the rent, maintains, manages and operates the leased property and makes such improvements thereto as it considers desirable. Such part of the leased property as is, in the opinion of NSC, not necessary may be disposed of. Pursuant to the Railroad Lease, the proceeds of dispositions may be held by NSC and treated as indebtedness owed to P&WV by NSC.
   
 Amount Owed to P&WV. According to records maintained by NSC pursuant to the Railroad Lease and provided by NSC to P&WV, as of December 31, 2012 the indebtedness owed to P&WV was approximately $16,600,000. NSC has not provided a more recent update of the indebtedness amount. P&WV believes that the indebtedness amount is understated. This amount results primarily from rent payments from NSC under Section 4(b)(1) of the Railroad Lease, which NSC has historically elected to treat as indebtedness rather than pay in cash. Section 4(b)(1) rent is calculated based on the annual amount of tax depreciation and amortization of P&WV’s assets that are leased to NSC. The indebtedness amount also includes the gross amount of sales transactions in which NSC sells portions of P&WV’s real estate and has the option to retain the proceeds from such sales and treat it as indebtedness to P&WV. The payment and amount of these items was the subject of a multi-year litigation which ended in 2017. For financial reporting purposes, the receivable existing from the additional rent amounts and the indebtedness amounts have been fully reserved on the Registrant’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations. Although the Company has not recorded a net receivable for financial reporting purposes, the Company has historically recognized taxable income from Section 4(b)(1) rent. Based on the outcome of the litigation P&WV will writewrote off the full amount of this receivable on its 2017 tax return. For the years ended December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2019, the amount of tax depreciation and amortization of P&WV’s assets that are leased to NSC was $294,062 per annum which would be added as an additional amount of indebtedness from NSC for a total of approximately $18,400,000. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings.
   
 Indemnification. Under the terms of the Railroad Lease, NSC must indemnify P&WV for taxes, charges, damages and other losses imposed on it by virtue of its operation of the Railroad Lease.

 

On October 25, 2019, the Trust transferred its ownership of P&WV to a wholly owned subsidiary: PW PWV Holdings LLC.

2.PW Salisbury Solar, LLC. PWSS owns approximately 54 acres of fee simple land located in Salisbury, Massachusetts that is leased to an operational solar farm. Pursuant to the lease agreement, PWSS’ tenant is required to pay PWSS rent of $80,800 cash for the year December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013, with a 1.0% escalation in each corresponding year thereafter. Rent is payable quarterly in advance and is recorded by Power REIT for accounting purposes on a straight-line basis, with $89,494 having been recorded during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2019. At the end of the 22-year lease period, which commenced on December 1, 2011 (prior to being assumed by PWSS), the tenant has certain renewal options, with terms to be mutually agreed upon.
  
3.PW Tulare Solar, LLC. PWTS owns approximately 100 acres of fee simple land located in Tulare County, California, that is leased to five (5) operational solar farms. Pursuant to the lease agreements, the tenants are required to pay annual cash rent totaling $157,500. Rent is paid annually in advance in March of each year. At the end of the 25-year terms of the leases, which began running in March 2013, the tenants have certain renewal options, with terms to be mutually agreed upon.
  
4.PW Regulus Solar, LLC. PWRS owns approximately 447 acres of fee simple leased to an operational solar project with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 82 Megawatts located in Kern County, California near Bakersfield. During the primary term of the lease which extends for 20 years from achieving commercial operations (November 11, 2014), PWRS receives an initial annual rent of approximately $735,000 per annum which grows at 1% per annum. Rent is payable quarterly in advance and is recorded by Power REIT for accounting purposes on a straight-line basis, with $803,116 having been recorded during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2019. The lease is a “triple net” lease with all expenses to be paid by the tenant. At the end of the primary term of the lease, the tenants have certain renewal options with rent calculated as the greater of a minimum stated rental amount or a percentage of the total project-level gross revenue.
5.PW CO CanRE JAB LLC. On July 12, 2019, through two new wholly owned subsidiaries, PW CanRe of Co. Holdings, LLC and PW CO CanRE JAB, LLC, Power REIT completed the acquisition of two Controlled Environment Agriculture properties in southern Colorado. One property was acquired for $1,075,000, is 2.11 acres and has an existing greenhouse and processing facility totaling 12,996 square feet. The other property was acquired for $695,000, is 5.2 acres and has an existing greenhouse and processing facility totaling 5,616 square feet. The total combined purchase price of $1,770,000 plus acquisition expenses of $29,021 was paid with existing working capital. The acquisitions are accounted for as asset acquisitions under ASC 805-50. Power REIT has established a depreciable life for the greenhouses of 20 years. The Company recognized depreciation expense of approximately $38,800 related to the greenhouses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Concurrent with the closing on the acquisitions, Power REIT entered into leases with a tenant that is licensed for the production of medical cannabis at the facilities. The initial combined straight-line annual rent is approximately $331,000 although the rental payments are accelerated such that Power REIT will receive a full return of capital over the first 42 months of the lease. The term of each of the leases is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. The leases also has financial guarantees from affiliates of the tenant.

On December 31, 2019, the Trust announced it had entered into an agreement, effective November 1, 2019, with its tenant to expand the greenhouse at the 5.2 acre property from approximately 5,616 rentable square feet of greenhouse to approximately 16,416 square feet. The tenant is responsible for implementing the expansion and the Trust will fund the cost of such expansion up to a total of $899,582 with any additional amounts funded by tenant.

As part of the agreement, PW JAB and its tenant have amended the Lease to increase the rent whereby after a six-month period, the additional rental payments provide PW JAB with a full return of its invested capital related to the expansion over the next three years in equal monthly payments. Thereafter, rent is structured to provide a 12.5% return on the original invested capital amount which will increase at a 3% rate per annum. At any time after year six of the Lease, if cannabis is legalized at the federal level, the rent will be readjusted down to an amount equal to a 9% return on the original invested capital amount and will increase at a 3% rate per annum based on a starting date of the start of year seven. The additional straight-line annual rent related to the expansion is approximately $165,000.

The leases provide that Tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the JAB Properties, including maintenance expenses, insurance and taxes.

Rent on the leases is recorded by the Trust for accounting purposes on a straight-line basis, with $182,249 having been recorded during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company’s revenue is highly concentrated, with lease payments from the lessee of P&WV and PWRS assets representing approximately 47%42% and 41%37%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. PWV’s tenant is NSC which is a Class I railroad and, as reported in its Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 5, 2018,6, 2020, had approximately $16.4$15.2 billion of total stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 20172019 and earned approximately $5.4$2.7 billion of net income during its fiscal year ended December 31, 20172019

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

As previously disclosed in its public filings with the SEC, the Trust and its wholly-owned subsidiary P&WV have beenwere involved in litigation with NSC and NSC’s sub-lessee, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad (“WLE” and, together with NSC, the “Litigants”) concerning matters arising under the Railroad Lease. The case was pending in Federal trial court in Pittsburgh (the “Court”). The Litigants initiated the litigation against the Trust and P&WV in December 2011, seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment that NSC was not in default under the Railroad Lease.

 

P&WV, as lessor, asserted counterclaims, seeking determinations that NSC was in default under the Railroad Lease for, among other things, failing to reimburse P&WV for certain legal fees incurred by P&WV, failing to permit P&WV to inspect NSC’s books and records as called for under the terms of the Railroad Lease and failing to pay other amounts that P&WV believes are due and owing. P&WV also sought declarations from the Court (a) that NSC’s obligation to repay the indebtedness owed under the Railroad Lease is not indefinite in duration, and (b) that the indebtedness owed to P&WV is due on demand with interest. If P&WV was successful with certain of its counterclaims, it would have been able to terminate the Railroad Lease and demand from NSC payment of the indebtedness.

The indebtedness is the cumulative result of amounts received by NSC from its dispositions of P&WV property, additional rental amounts due and other sums that NSC owes to P&WV but which NSC has elected, under its interpretation of the Railroad Lease, to pay by increasing its indebtedness to P&WV rather than by providing P&WV with cash. According to records maintained by NSC pursuant to the Railroad Lease and provided by NSC to P&WV, as of December 31, 2012 the indebtedness owed to P&WV was approximately $16,600,000. The indebtedness has not been included in P&WV’s balance sheets prepared under GAAP, because of the dispute as to when it is due. Similarly, certain additional rental amounts that NSC disputes are due on a current basis, and which have historically been treated as indebtedness, have not been included in P&WV’s income statements or balance sheets prepared under GAAP; however, these additional rent amounts have historically been recorded as taxable income on P&WV’s tax returns.

 

The parties made certain supplements to their respective claims and counterclaims. In August 2013, P&WV filed a second supplement to its counterclaims following the Litigants’ disclosure of previously undisclosed dispositions of P&WV property. P&WV was seeking a ruling that additional amounts are owed to it as a result of these dispositions and, accordingly, asserted new counterclaims, including claims of fraud and conversion. Based on the information available at the time P&WV supplemented its claims, P&WV estimated that the additional amounts owed to it exceeded $8 million, not including potential interest and damages. P&WV also supplemented its counterclaim for additional rental amounts due in order to include the reimbursement of its legal expenses related to the litigation. In response to P&WV’s second supplement to its counterclaims, in January 2014 the Litigants amended their pleadings to add additional claims against both P&WV and the Trust. The Litigants’ additional claims sought additional declarations from the Court that the Litigants have not defaulted on or violated the terms of the Railroad Lease.

On September 13, 2013, the Trust filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of all of the claims against it primarily based on the fact that the Trust is not a party to the Lease. On January 15, 2014, the Court heard oral arguments from the parties on the Trust’s motion. On October 16, 2013, the Litigants filed a motion seeking leave to supplement their claims to include: (i) nominal damages, (ii) enjoinment of Power REIT from taking actions in breach of the Lease Agreement, (iii) the withdrawal of NSC’s consent to the additional share by PWV; and (iv) the undoing of the reverse triangular merger. On June 19, 2014, the court denied the Trust’s motion but also denied Plaintiff’s motion seeking leave to supplement their claims with the exception of granting the motion to seek nominal damages.

 

On September 8, 2014, P&WV filed a Motion for Summary Judgment and on October 22, 2014, the Litigants filed an opposition to such motion and on November 5, 2014, P&WV filed a Reply to NSC and WLE’s opposition to such motion. On September 8, 2014, the Litigants filed a Motion for Summary Judgment and on October 22, 2014, P&WV filed an opposition to such motion and on November 5, 2014, the Litigants filed a reply to P&WV’s opposition to such motion. On December 16, 2014, the court held oral argument on both of the motions for Summary Judgment.

 

On April 22, 2015, the court denied P&WV’s motion for summary judgment and granted the Litigants’ summary judgment motion thereby dismissing all of P&WV’s claims. During the week of August 3, 2015, a trial was conducted on the two remaining claims of the Litigants against P&WV and Power REIT. On December 29, 2015, the Court issued a ruling with respect to the remaining claims that were the subject of the trial. In the ruling, the Court found in favor of Power REIT on all claims brought against it by NSC and WLE. In addition, the Court also found in favor of P&WV with respect to claims brought against P&WV by WLE. However, the Court did find in favor of NSC against P&WV for certain of its claims (fraud and breach of contract) and awarded nominal damages of $1.00. In connection with NSC’s demand for punitive damages, the Court ruled that NSC was not entitled to punitive damages.

On January 26, 2016, Power REIT and P&WV filed a Notice of Appeal to appeal the matter to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On April 28, 2016, Power REIT and P&WV filed its appellate brief. On June 27, 2016, NSC and WLE filed their reply brief. On August 10, 2016, Power REIT and P&WV filed a reply brief at which point the appeal was fully briefed. As previously disclosed, On August 29, 2017, the appellate court rendered its ruling affirming the ruling from the lower court in its entirety. Power REIT has not included a loss contingency associated with the outcome of the case since it believes all expenses related to the litigation have been accounted for in the financial statements contained herein. Power REIT and P&WV retained the firm of Keker & Van Nest LLP as lead counsel related to the appeal.

 

P&WV has provided key court filings in the litigation on its website (www.pwreit.com) under a tab called “P&WV Litigation Update” which is under the “Investor Relations” tab. The provided documents and accompanying supporting documents are not comprehensive or complete and the full case docket is available from the Public Access to Court Records (PACER) website. Power REIT encourages interested parties to review all the public filings available on PACER and to review the risks and disclosures in Power REIT’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-k and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

During the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, P&WV incurred no litigation related expenses of approximately $130,000 and $483,000, respectively.expenses. As of December 31, 2017,2019, P&WV had incurred a total of approximately $3.68 million of cumulative expenses related to the litigation. P&WV believed that the costs associated with the litigation are reimbursable by NSC under the Railroad Lease as additional rent, but the court ruled against it and the appellate court upheld this ruling.

As of the date of this filing, NSC has continued to make its quarterly base rental payments ($228,750 per quarter). Based on the outcome of the litigation, the indebtedness described above that P&WV had accrued is deemed uncollectable and was written off for tax purposes (it has not been reflected on P&WV’s financial statements which are consolidated into Power REIT’s financial statements). The indebtedness will be tracked by P&WV on an annual basis since, based on the outcome of the litigation, it effectively serves as a termination fee that is due upon termination of the lease for any purpose including default or failure to renew.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable

 

28

PART II

 

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Our common shares of $0.001 par value are listed for trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “PW”. As of MarchFebruary 20, 2018,2020, there were approximately 394355 registered holders of registrant’s common shares.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales price per common share reported on the NYSE American as traded and the dividends paid per common share for each of the quarters indicated:

 

 Quarters Ended, 2017  Quarters Ended, 2019 
 March 31  June 30  Sept. 30  Dec. 31  March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 
Closing Price:                                
High $7.86  $7.95  $8.69  $6.44  $6.36  $6.18  $10.78  $10.09 
Low  6.15   6.51   6.04   6.00   5.15   5.71   5.76   7.9 
Dividends Paid  0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00 

 

 Quarters Ended, 2016  Quarters Ended, 2018 
 March 31  June 30  Sept. 30  Dec. 31  March 31  June 30  Sept. 30  Dec. 31 
Closing Price:                         
High $4.70  $7.80  $8.49  $9.46  $6.4  $6.57  $6.24  $6.14 
Low  4.02   4.79   6.65   6.05   6.00   5.70   5.83   5.32 
Dividends Paid  0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00 

 

During the first quarter of 20182020 through March 20, 2018,26, 2020, the NYSE American price per share of our common shares hit a high of $6.47$15.21 and a low of $6.00.$7.06.

 

Distributions

 

U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to any deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and pay tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income that it does not distribute.

 

The timing and frequency of our distributions are authorized and declared by our Board of Trustees based upon a number of factors, including:

 

 our funds from operations;
 our debt service requirements;
 our taxable income, combined with the annual distribution requirements necessary to maintain REIT qualification;
 tax loss carryfowards
 requirements of Maryland law;
 our overall financial condition; and
 other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Trustees.

 

Any distributions that we make will be at the discretion of our Board of Trustees, and there can be no assurance that dividends will be paid in any particular period or at any particular level, or sustained in future periods based on past timing of payments and payments levels.

 

During 2017,2019, the Company paid approximately $280,000 of dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “would,” “should,” “project,” “plan,” “assume” or other similar words or expressions, or negatives of such words or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements can be identified in this way. All statements contained in this document regarding strategy, plans, future operations, projected financial condition or results of operations, prospects, the future of Power REIT’s industries and markets, outcomes that might be obtained by pursuing management’s plans and objectives, and similar subjects, are forward-looking statements. Over time, Power REIT’s actual performance, results, financial condition and achievements may differ from the anticipated performance, results, financial condition and achievements that are expressed or implied by Power REIT’s forward-looking statements, and such differences may be significant and materially adverse to Power REIT and its security holders.

 

All forward-looking statements reflect Power REIT’s good-faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance. Furthermore, Power REIT disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of factors that could cause Power REIT’s future performance, results, financial condition or achievements to differ materially from that which is expressed or implied in Power REIT’s forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of this document.

 

Overview

 

Power REIT is a Maryland-domiciled REIT that holds, develops, acquires and managesowns a portfolio of real estate assets related to transportation, and energy infrastructure and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the United States. Within the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, Power REIT is focused on making new acquisitions of real estate that are or will be leased to renewable energy generation projects, such as utility-scale solar farms and wind farms, that have low or minimal technology risk.

Power REIT was formed as part of a reorganization and reverse triangular merger of P&WV that closed on December 2, 2011. P&WV survived the reorganization as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant. The Company’s investment strategy, which is focused on transportation and energy infrastructure-related real estate, builds upon its subsidiary P&WV’s historical ownership of railroad real estate assets, which are currently triple-net leased to NSC.

 

The Trust is structured as a holding company and owns its assets through fourseven wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiaries that have been formed in order to hold real estate assets, obtain financing and generate lease revenue. As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Trust’s assets consisted of approximately 112 miles of railroad infrastructure and related real estate which is owned by its subsidiary Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad (“P&WV”) and, approximately 601 acres of fee simple land leased to a number of solar power generating projects with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 108 Megawatts (“MW”). and approximately 7.3 acres of land with 18,612 sf of greenhouses leased to a medical cannabis operator. Power REIT is actively seeking to expandgrow its portfolio of real estate related to renewable energy generation projectsControlled Environment Agriculture for food and is pursuing investment opportunities that qualify for REIT ownership within solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, transmission and other infrastructure projects.cannabis production.

 

Results of Operations

 

Power REIT’s consolidated revenue in fiscal years 20172019 and 20162018 was approximately $1,982,000$2,181,000 and $1,976,000,$1,975,000 respectively. Consolidated net income in fiscal year 20172019 was approximately $718,000$947,000 compared to $247,000$839,000 for 2016.2018. The difference between our 20172019 and 20162018 consolidated results was principally attributable to the following: an increase in rental income of $182,000, an increase in general and administrative costs of $44,000, a decrease$10,000, an increase in litigation costsdepreciation expense of approximately $353,000 (See Note 10);$39,000, and a decreasean increase in amortization of capitalized equity offering costsinterest expense of approximately $152,000.

$49,000.

The Company’s cash outlays, other than dividend payments on its Series A Preferred Stock, are for general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses, which consist principally of insurance, legal and other professional fees, consultant fees, trustees’ fees, NYSE American listing fees, shareholder service company fees and auditing costs (although in presenting our expenses in our consolidated statements of operations, in both 2017 and 2016 we have broken out legal and other professional fees relating to our litigation with NSC into the separate line item “litigation expenses”)costs. . The Company further expects that the remainder of its G&A expenses will continue to increase in 20182020 and beyond as it further implements its business plan.

 

For each ofthe fiscal years 2017 and 2016,ended 2019, P&WV and PWRS contributed approximately 47%42% and 37% of consolidated revenue compared to 2018 where P&WV and PWRS contributed approximately 46% and 41% of consolidated revenue. If Power REIT is successful in pursuing its business plan and acquisition strategies, the contribution to its consolidated revenues from renewable generation-related real estate and other infrastructurerelated to Controlled Environment Agriculture related real estate is expected to increase over time as a percentage of the Company’s total consolidated revenue.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

To meet its working capital and longer-term capital needs, Power REIT relies on cash provided by its operating activities, proceeds received from the issuance of equity securities and proceeds received from borrowings, which are typically secured by liens on acquired assets.

Cash Flows

During the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, the Company’s net cash generated by operating activities was approximately $1,054,000.$1,372,000. During the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, the Company’s net cash used ingenerated by operating activities was approximately $884,000.$1,266,000.

 

During the yearsyear ended December 31, 2016 and 2017,2019, the Company’s net cash used in investing activities was $0 as the$1,799,000. The Company, did not make any new acquisitions.through two wholly owned subsidiaries, acquired two greenhouse and processing facilities properties in Colorado.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, the Company’s net cash usedobtained by financing activities was approximately $624,000,$14,498,000, comprised principally of principal payments on long term debt of approximately $344,000$409,000, loan acquired for $15,500,000 and dividends on the Preferred Stock of approximately $280,000. During the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, the Company’s net cash providedused by financing activities was approximately $603,000,$642,000, comprised principally of principal payments on long term debt of approximately $323,000$361,000 and dividends on the Preferred Stock of approximately $280,000.

 

Preferred Stock

 

During 2014, the Company expanded its equity financing activities by offering a series of preferred shares to the public. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks, as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, senior to the Company’s common shares. Voting rights for holders of Series A Preferred Stock exist only with respect to amendments to the Company’s charter that materially and adversely affect the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, the authorization or issuance of equity securities that are senior to the Series A Preferred Stock and, if the Company fails to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive), the election of two additional trustees to our Board of Trustees. No Series A Preferred Stock was issued during 2017.2019. The Company had previously closed on the sale of approximately $3,492,000 of its Series A $25 Par Value Preferred Stock pursuant to a public offering prospectus supplement dated January 23, 2014.

Borrowings

In December 2012, PWSS acquired the approximately 54 acres of land in Salisbury, Massachusetts that it leases to a 5.7 MW operationalutility scale solar farm. ThatThe acquisition was financed in part by a bridge loan extended by Hudson Bay Partners, LP (“HBP”), an affiliate of our Chairman and CEO, Mr. David Lesser. In July 2013, PWSS borrowed $750,000 from a regional bank (the “PWSS Term Loan”) to refinance the bridge loan. The PWSS Term Loan carries a fixed interest rate of 5.0% for a term of 10 years and amortizes based on a 20-year principal amortization schedule. The loan is secured by PWSS’ real estate assets and a parent guarantee from the Company. The balance of the PWSS Term Loan as of December 31, 20172019 was approximately $626,000$579,000 (net of approximately $15,000$9,500 of capitalized debt costs). As part of the land acquisition, PWSS also assumed certain existing municipal financing, the balance of which on December 31, 20172019 was approximately $90,000.$77,000.

 

On April 14, 2014, PWRS borrowed approximately $6,900,000 in connection with PWRS’ acquisition of leased property and establishment of its approximately $26 million credit facility. The credit facility carried a floating rate calculated as based on a spread of 350 basis points over LIBOR. On November 6, 2015, PWRS repaid the entire balance of the credit facility with proceeds from a new financing secured by the real property owned by PWRS (the “PWRS Bonds”) and terminated the credit facility.

The PWRS Bonds are secured by land owned by PWRS and generated gross proceeds of $10,150,000. The PWRS Bonds carry a fixed interest rate of 4.34 and fully amortize over the life of the financing which matures in 2034. The use of proceeds from the PWRS Bonds was to retire approximately $6.65 million of existing indebtedness and the associated swap that was entered which are secured by the PWRS property; retire the $1.65 million loan to PW Tulare Solar, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Power REIT) from Hudson Bay Partners, LP (an affiliate of David H. Lesser - Chairman and CEO of Power REIT) including accrued interest; and, to pay other accounts payable of Power REIT and its subsidiaries. Upon completion of the refinancing, PWTS now owns its assets free and clear of any indebtedness.

 

The balance of the PWRS Bonds as of December 31, 20172019 was approximately $9,200,000$8,538,000 (net of approximately $370,000$325,000 of capitalized debt costs).

On November 25, 2019, Power REIT, through a newly formed subsidiary, completed a financing that is intended to provide capital for acquisition of additional properties on an accretive basis. The financing is in the form of long-term fixed rate bonds with gross proceeds of $15,500,000. The bonds carry a fixed interest rate of 4.62% and fully amortize over the life of the financing which matures in 2054 (35 years). The Trust intends to use the proceeds to expand its portfolio of income producing properties.

 

In the case of each of the bridge financings from HBP described above, the independent members of the Company’s Board of Trustees approved the borrowings in advance.

 

The approximate amount of principal payments remaining on Power REIT’s long-term debt as of December 31, 20172019 is as follows:

 

  Total Debt 
2018  366,520 
2019  389,996 
2020  414,585 
2021  442,171 
2022  472,958 
Thereafter  8,192,777 
Long term debt  10,279,007 

  Total Debt 
2020  598,256 
2021  635,517 
2022  675,390 
2023  1,167,971 
2024  715,778 
Thereafter  21,215,114 
Long term debt  25,008,026 

Related Party Transactions

 

For information concerning loans extended to the Company by Hudson Bay Partners, LP, an affiliate of our Chairman and CEO, see “—Borrowings”“Borrowings”, above. For information concerning other related party transactions, see Note 78 to the consolidated financial statements appearing following Item 15 of this document, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make significant judgments and estimates to develop certain amounts reflected and disclosed. In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. We regularly review the application of our accounting policies and evaluate the appropriateness of the estimates that are required to be made in order to prepare our consolidated financial statements. Typically, estimates may require adjustments from time to time based on, among other things, changing circumstances and new or better information.

 

The accounting policies that we consider to be our “critical accounting policies” are those that we believe are either the most judgmental or involve the selection or application of alternative accounting policies, and that in each case are material to our consolidated financial statements. We believe that our revenue recognition policies meet these criteria. These policies are as follows:

 

 Railroad Lease. The Railroad Lease is treated as a capitaldirect financing lease, and income to P&WV under the Railroad Lease is recognized as earned based on an implicit rate of 10% over the life of the lease, which is assumed to be perpetual for the purposes of revenue recognition and recording the leased assets on the balance sheet.
 Operating lease with rent escalation. Lease revenue from land that is subject to an operating lease with rent escalation provisions is recorded on a straight-line basis when the amount of escalation in lease payments is known at the time we enter into the lease agreement, or known at the time we assume an existing lease agreement as part of a land acquisition (e.g., an annual fixed percentage escalation).
   
 Operating lease without rent escalation. Lease revenue from land that is subject to an operating lease without rent escalation provisions is recorded on a straight-line basis.

 

For further information, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements appearing following Item 15 of this document, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Non GAAP Financial Measures – Funds From Operations

 

We assess and measure our overall operating results based upon an industry performance measure referred to as Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”) which management believes is a useful indicator of our operating performance. This report contains supplemental financial measures that are not calculated pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including the measure identified by us as Core FFO. Following is a definition of this measure, an explanation as to why we present it and, at the end of this section, a reconciliation of Core FFO to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

 

Core FFO: Management believes that Core FFO is a useful supplemental measure of the Company’s operating performance. Management believes that alternative measures of performance, such as net income computed under GAAP, or Funds From Operations computed in accordance with the definition used by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), include certain financial items that are not indicative of the results provided by the Company’s asset portfolio and inappropriately affect the comparability of the Company’s period-over-period performance. These items include non-recurring expenses, such as those incurred in connection with litigation, one-time upfront acquisition expenses that are not capitalized under ASC-805 and certain non-cash expenses, including stock-based compensation expense amortization and certain up front financing costs. Therefore, management uses Core FFO and defines it as net income excluding such items. Management believes that, for the foregoing reasons, these adjustments to net income are appropriate. The Company believes that Core FFO is a useful supplemental measure for the investing community to employ, including when comparing the Company to other REITs that disclose similarly adjusted FFO figures, and when analyzing changes in the Company’s performance over time. Readers are cautioned that other REITs may use different adjustments to their GAAP financial measures than we do, and that as a result, the Company’s Core FFO may not be comparable to the FFO measures used by other REITs or to other non-GAAP or GAAP financial measures used by REITs or other companies.

 

27

CORE FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO)

 

  2017  2016 
       
Core FFO Available to Common Shares $1,027,099  $1,061,071 
         
Core FFO per common share  0.57   0.60 
         
Weighted Average shares outstanding (basic)  1,809,672   1,770,268 
  2019  2018 
       
Core FFO Available to Common Shares $1,173,958  $1,043,633 
         
Core FFO per Common Share  0.63   0.56 
         
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (basic)  1,871,554   1,848,739 

 

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Unaudited)

  2017  2016 
Net income (loss) Attributable to Common Shares $438,602  $(32,687)
Litigation expense  130,279   483,306 
Stock-based compensation  195,889   195,828 
Interest Expense - Amortization of Debt Costs  25,187   25,181 
Amortization of Intangible Asset  237,142   237,141 
Amortization of equity offering costs  -   152,302 
Core FFO Available to Common Shares $1,027,099  $1,061,071 
  2019  2018 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shares $666,662  $558,579 
Stock-Based Compensation  205,335   222,721 
Interest Expense - Amortization of Debt Costs  26,062   25,191 
Amortization of Intangible Asset  237,142   237,142 
Depreciation on Land Improvements  38,757   - 
Core FFO Available to Common Shares $1,173,958  $1,043,633 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

This information appears following Item 15 of this document and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None

 

Item 9A. Controls And Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a- 15(f) of the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. The design and operation of a control system must also reflect that there are resource constraints and management is necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls.

 

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on our evaluation, we believe that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 20172019 were effective. Management understands that there are weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures given that our CEO is primarily responsible for all aspects of financial reporting and there is no effective separation of duties for financial reporting. Management and the Audit Committee believe that that they have established appropriate mechanisms for oversight of its financial affairs and do not believe it is appropriate to add additional layers of management to mitigate such potential weaknesses at this time.

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Power REIT maintains a system of internal accounting controls that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that its books and records accurately reflect its transactions and that its policies and procedures are followed. There have been no changes in our internal control during fiscal year 20172019 or thereafter through the date of filing of this document that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such controls.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

This document does not include an attestation report of the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Commission that permit the Registrant to provide only management’s report in this document.

 

The management of Power REIT is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Registrant’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the trustees regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement presentation and preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

 

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.2019.

 

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant Section 989G of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act and Section 404(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as adopted and amended by the SEC, which provides that Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is not applicable with respect to any audit report prepared for an issuer that is neither an accelerated filer nor a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 12b-2 the Company is a smaller reporting company and not subject to the internal control over financial reporting attestation requirements by the Company’s registered independent public accounting firm.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.2019.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.2019.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

A list of all financial statements, financial statement schedules and related information filed as part of this document is set forth starting on page F-1 hereof.

 

A list of all exhibits that are filed as a part of this document is set forth below:

 

Exhibit 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad, Power REIT and Power REIT PA, LLC, dated December 1, 2011, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of December 5, 2011.
   
Exhibit 3.1 Declaration of Trust of Power REIT, dated August 25, 2011, as amended and restated November 28, 2011 and as supplemented effective February 12, 2014, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrants Form 10-K filed with the Commission as of April 1, 2014.
   
Exhibit 3.2 Bylaws of Power REIT, dated October 20, 2011, incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Commission as of November 8, 2011.
   
Exhibit 10.1 Lease Agreement between Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway Company and Norfolk & Western Railway Company, dated July 12, 1962, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of April 2, 2013.
   
Exhibit 10.2.1 Promissory Note A from PW Tulare Solar, LLC to Hudson Bay Partners, LP, relating to the acquisition of real property in Tulare County, California, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of July 15, 2013.
   
Exhibit 10.2.2 Promissory Note B from PW Tulare Solar, LLC to Hudson Bay Partners, LP, relating to the acquisition of real property in Tulare County, California, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of July 15, 2013.
Exhibit 10.2.3 Deed of Trust between PW Tulare Solar, LLC and Hudson Bay Partners, LP, relating to the acquisition of real property in Tulare County, California, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of July 15, 2013.
   
Exhibit 10.2.4 Guaranty from Power REIT to Hudson Bay Partners, LP, relating to the acquisition of real property in Tulare County, California, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of July 15, 2013.
Exhibit 10.3 At Market Issuance Sales Agreement between Power REIT and MLV & Co. LLC, dated March 28, 2013, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of March 29, 2013.
   
Exhibit 10.4 Power REIT 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of March 29, 2013.
Exhibit 10.5Lease between True North Energy, LLC and True North LLC (PW Salisbury Solar LLC) dated December 1, 2011 filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.6Assignment and Assumption of Lease between True North, LLC and PW Salisbury Solar LLC dated December 31, 2012, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.7Ground Lease for Solar Energy System (Exeter 13) between ImMODO California 1 LLC and Tulare PV I LLC dated March 11, 2013, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.8Ground Lease for Solar Energy System (Ivanhoe 13) between ImMODO California 1 LLC and Tulare PV I LLC dated March 11, 2013, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.9Ground Lease for Solar Energy System (Kinsburg) between ImMODO California 1 LLC and Tulare PV II LLC dated March 26, 2013, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.10Ground Lease for Solar Energy System (Lindsey 134) between ImMODO California 1 LLC and Tulare PV I LLC dated March 11, 2013, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.11Ground Lease for Solar Energy System (Porterville 125) between ImMODO California 1 LLC and Tulare PV I LLC dated March 11, 2013, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.12Assignment and Assumption of Lease between ImMODO California 1 LLC and PW Tulare Solar, LLC dated July 8, 2013, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.13Lease between PW Regulus Solar, LLC and Regulus Solar, LLC dated April 10, 2014 filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.14Lease Agreement between PW CO CanRE JAB LLC and JAB Industries Ltd dba WildFlower Farms (Maverick), dated July 12th, 2019, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of July 15, 2019
Exhibit 10.15Lease Agreement between PW CO CanRE JAB LLC and JAB Industries Ltd dba WildFlower Farms (Tamarack), dated July 12th, 2019, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of July 15, 2019
Exhibit 10.16Amendment to Lease Agreement between PW CO CanRE JAB LLC and JAB Industries Ltd dba WildFlower Farms (Maverick), dated November 1st, 2019, filed herewith*
Exhibit 10.17Loan Agreement between CTL Lending Group LLC and PW PWV Holdings LLC dated November 25, 2019, filed herewith.*
Exhibit 10.18Lease Agreement between PW CO CanRE Mav 14 LLC and NutraCanna LLC, dated February 1, 2020, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of February 6, 2020.
Exhibit 10.19Lease Agreement between PW CO CanRE Sherman 6 LLC and Green Street LLC, dated February 1, 2020, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission as of February 6, 2020.
   
Exhibit 14.1 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission as of March 28, 2012.
   
Exhibit 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant, filed herewith.*
   
Exhibit 31.1 Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certification of David H. Lesser, filed herewith.*
   
Exhibit 32.1 Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 906 Certification of David H. Lesser, filed herewith.*
   
Exhibit 101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheet, (ii) Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* Filed herewith

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 POWER REIT
   
 By:/s/ David H. Lesser
  David H. Lesser
  Chairman, CEO, Secretary and Treasurer
  
(Principal executive officer, principal
  financial officer and principal accounting officer)
   
  Date: March 23, 201827, 2020

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name Title Date
     
/s/ David H. Lesser Trustee and Chairman of the Board ofMarch 23, 2018
David H. LesserTrustees, CEO, Secretary and Treasurer March 27, 2020
David H. Lesser
     
/s/ Virgil E. Wenger Trustee March 23, 2018
Virgil E. Wenger   March 27, 2020
     
/s/ William S. Susman Trustee March 23, 201827, 2020
William S. Susman    
     
/s/ Patrick R. Haynes, III Trustee March 23, 201827, 2020
Patrick R. Haynes, III    
     
/s/ Justinian Hobor Trustee March 23, 201827, 2020
Justinian Hobor    

39

Power REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 Page
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
  
Consolidated Financial Statements: 
  
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 20172019 and 20162018F-3
  
Consolidated Statements of Operations, years ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018F-4
  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, years ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018F-5
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, years ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018F-6
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-7

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Power REIT

Old Bethpage, NY

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Power REIT and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP

www.malonebailey.com

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.

Houston, Texas

March 23, 201827, 2020

F-2

POWER REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

  December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
ASSETS        
Land $6,788,067  $6,788,067 
Net investment in capital lease - railroad  9,150,000   9,150,000 
Total real estate assets  15,938,067   15,938,067 
         
Cash and cash equivalents  1,146,730   717,104 
Prepaid expenses  13,903   31,371 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization  4,063,737   4,300,879 
Other assets  297,442   227,510 
TOTAL ASSETS $21,459,879  $21,214,931 
         
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Deferred revenue $42,775  $48,188 
Accounts payable  21,206   84,757 
Accounts payable - Related party  1,176   - 
Accrued interest  91,529   94,356 
Current portion of long-term debt  366,520   344,114 
Long-term debt  9,527,068   9,868,402 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  10,050,274   10,439,817 
         
Series A 7.75% Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Par Value $25.00 (175,000 shares authorized; 144,636 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)  3,492,149   3,492,149 
         
Commitments and Contingencies  -   - 
         
Equity:        
Common Shares, $0.001 par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,827,338 and 1,784,939 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)  1,827   1,785 
Additional paid-in capital  11,393,476   11,197,629 
Accumulated deficit  (3,477,847)  (3,916,449)
Total Equity  7,917,456   7,282,965 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $21,459,879  $21,214,931 

  December 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
ASSETS        
Land $6,928,644  $6,788,067 
Greenhouse cultivation facilities, net of accumulated depreciation  1,619,687   - 
Net investment in direct financing lease - railroad  9,150,000   9,150,000 
Total real estate assets  17,698,331   15,938,067 
         
Cash and cash equivalents  15,842,504   1,771,011 
Prepaid expenses  14,626   16,795 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization  3,589,453   3,826,595 
Deferred rent receivable  546,187   325,968 
Other assets  16,700   16,700 
TOTAL ASSETS $37,707,801  $21,895,136 
         
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Deferred revenue $29,342  $32,851 
Security deposit  114,378   - 
Accounts payable  54,993   24,828 
Accounts payable - Related party  -   1,374 
Accrued interest  84,313   87,846 
Current portion of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount  564,682   389,996 
Long-term debt, net of unamortized discount  23,797,191   9,167,336 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  24,644,899   9,704,231 
         
Series A 7.75% Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Par Value $25.00 (175,000 shares authorized; 144,636 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018)  3,492,149   3,492,149 
         
Commitments and Contingencies  -   - 
         
Equity:        
Common Shares, $0.001 par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,872,939 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 1,870,139 at December 31, 2018)  1,873   1,870 
Additional paid-in capital  11,821,486   11,616,154 
Accumulated deficit  (2,252,606)  (2,919,268)
Total Equity  9,570,753   8,698,756 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $37,707,801  $21,895,136 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3

POWER REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the years endedYears Ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018

 

 2017  2016  2019  2018 
REVENUE                
Lease income from capital lease – railroad, net $915,000  $915,000 
Lease income from direct financing lease – railroad $915,000  $915,000 
Rental income  1,050,110   1,050,103   1,232,359   1,050,110 
Misc. income  17,155   10,818   33,539   9,513 
TOTAL REVENUE  1,982,265   1,975,921   2,180,898   1,974,623 
                
EXPENSES                
Amortization of intangible assets  237,142   237,141   237,142   237,142 
Amortization of capitalized equity offering costs  -   152,302 
General and administrative  384,092   339,815   408,505   398,443 
Property tax  22,715   13,727   22,188   22,012 
Litigation expenses (see note 10)  130,279   483,306 
Depreciation Expense  38,757   - 
Interest expense  489,564   502,447   527,412   478,215 
TOTAL EXPENSES  1,263,792   1,728,738   1,234,004   1,135,812 
                
NET INCOME  718,473   247,183   946,894   838,811 
                
Preferred Stock Dividends  (279,871)  (279,870)  (280,232)  (280,232)
                
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHARES $438,602  $(32,687)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHARES $666,662  $558,579 
                
Income (Loss) Per Common Share:        
Income Per Common Share:        
Basic and diluted $0.24  $(0.02) $0.36  $0.30 
                
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:                
Basic and diluted  1,809,672   1,770,268 
Basic  1,871,554   1,848,739 
Diluted  1,871,554   1,848,739 
                
Cash dividend per Series A Preferred Share $1.94  $1.94  $1.94  $1.94 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4

POWER REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018

 

           Retained    
        Additional  Earnings/  Total 
  Common Shares  Paid-in  Accumulated  Shareholders 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
                
Balance at December 31, 2015 1,742,688  $1,743  $11,001,843  $(3,883,762) $7,119,824 
Net loss  -   -   -   247,183   247,183 
Cash dividends on Preferred Stock  -   -   -   (279,870)  (279,870)
Stock-based compensation  42,250   42   195,786   -   195,828 
Balance at December 31, 2016  1,784,938   1,785   11,197,629   (3,916,449)  7,282,965 
                     
Net income  -   -   -   718,473   718,473 
Cash dividends on Preferred Stock  -   -   -   (279,871)  (279,871)
Stock-based compensation  42,400   42   195,847   -   195,889 
Balance at December 31, 2017  1,827,338  $1,827  $11,393,476  $(3,477,847) $7,917,456 

        Additional     Total 
  Common Shares  Paid-in  Accumulated  Shareholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
                
Balance at December 31, 2017  1,827,338  $1,827  $11,393,476  $(3,477,847) $7,917,456 
Net Income  -   -   -   838,811   838,811 
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock  -   -   -   (280,232)  (280,232)
Stock-Based Compensation  42,801   43   222,678   -   222,721 
Balance at December 31, 2018  1,870,139  $1,870  $11,616,154  $(2,919,268) $8,698,756 
Net Income  -   -   -   946,894   946,894 
Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock  -   -   -   (280,232)  (280,232)
Stock-Based Compensation  2,800   3   205,332   -   205,335 
Balance at December 31, 2019  1,872,939  $1,873  $11,821,486  $(2,252,606) $9,570,753 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

POWER REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

  2017  2016 
Operating activities        
Net Income $718,473  $247,183 
         
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Amortization of intangible assets  237,142   237,141 
Amortization of equity offering costs  -   152,302 
Amortization of debt costs  25,187   25,181 
Stock-based compensation  195,889   195,828 
         
Changes in operating assets and liabilities        
(Increase) decrease in other receivables  -   6,142 
(Increase) in other assets  (15,799)  - 
(Decrease) in deferred revenue  (54,133)  (60,342)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses  17,468   23,985 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable  (63,551)  8,735 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, related party  1,176   (1,773)
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest  (2,827)  20,113 
Increase (decrease) in prepaid rent  (5,413)  29,675 
Net cash provided by operating activities  1,053,612   884,170 
         
Financing Activities        
Principal payment on long-term debt  (344,115)  (323,066)
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock  (279,871)  (279,870)
Net cash used in financing activities  (623,986)  (602,936)
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  429,626   281,234 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  717,104   435,870 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $1,146,730  $717,104 
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
Interest paid $467,204  $457,153 

  For the Year ended December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Operating activities        
Net Income $946,894  $838,811 
         
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Amortization of intangible assets  237,142   237,142 
Amortization of debt costs  26,062   25,191 
Stock-based compensation  205,335   222,721 
Depreciation  38,757   - 
         
Changes in operating assets and liabilities        
Accounts payable, related party  (1,374)  198 
Deferred rent receivable  (220,219)  

(45,501

)
Prepaid expenses  2,169   (2,617)
Accounts payable  30,165   3,622 
Security deposit  114,378   - 
Accrued interest  (3,533)  (3,683)
Deferred revenue  (3,509)  (9,924)
Net cash provided by operating activities  1,372,267   1,265,960 
         
Investing activities        
Cash paid for land and land improvements  (1,799,021)  - 
Net cash used in investing activities $(1,799,021) $- 
         
Financing Activities        
Proceeds from long-term debt  15,500,000   - 
Principal payment on long-term debt  (409,309)  (361,447)
Payments of debt issuance costs  (312,212)  - 
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock  (280,232)  (280,232)
Net cash used in financing activities  14,498,247   (641,679)
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  14,071,493   624,281 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  1,771,011   1,146,730 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $15,842,504  $1,771,011 
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
Interest paid $504,883  $447,026 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

POWER REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES

F-6

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued

1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of Operations

 

Power REIT (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”, and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “we”, “us”, the “Company” or “Power REIT”, unless the context requires otherwise) is a Maryland-domiciled real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) that holds develops, acquires and manages real estate assets related to transportation, andalternative energy infrastructure and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the United States. Within the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, Power REIT is focused on making new acquisitions of real estate that are or will be leased to renewable energy generation projects, such as utility-scale solar farms and wind farms that have low or minimal technology risk.

 

The Trust is structured as a holding company and owns its assets through fiveseven wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiaries with one subsidiary owning another subsidiary, that have been formed in order to hold real estate assets, obtain financing and generate lease revenue. As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Trust’s assets consisted of approximately 112 miles of railroad infrastructure and related real estate which is owned by its subsidiary Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad (“P&WV”) and, approximately 601 acres of fee simple land leased to a number of utility scale solar power generating projects with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 108 Megawatts (“MW”). and approximately 7.3 acres of land with 18,612 sf of greenhouses leased to a medical cannabis operator. Power REIT is actively seeking to expandgrow its portfolio of real estate related to renewable energy generation projectsCEA for food and is pursuing investment opportunities that qualify for REIT ownership within solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, transmission and other infrastructure projects.cannabis production.

 

P&WV is a business trust organized under the laws of Pennsylvania for the purpose of owning railroad assets that are currently leased to Norfolk Southern Railway (“NSC”) pursuant to a 99-year lease that became effective in 1964 and is subject to an unlimited number of 99-year renewal periods under the same terms and conditions, including annual rent payments, at the option of NSC (the “Railroad Lease”). P&WV’s assets consist of a railroad line of approximately 112 miles in length, extending through Connellsville, Washington and Allegheny Counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through Brooke County in the State of West Virginia and through Jefferson and Harrison Counties in the State of Ohio, to Pittsburgh Junction in Harrison County, Ohio. There are also branch lines that total approximately 20 miles in length located in Washington and Allegheny Counties in Pennsylvania and Brooke County in West Virginia. NSC pays P&WV base cash rent of $915,000 per year, payable in quarterly installments. In addition, Power P&WV believes NSC is obligated to pay additional rent and other amounts, which is currentlywas the subject of litigation. (See Note 10)Item 3, Legal Proceedings).

 

PW Salisbury Solar, LLC (“PWSS”) is a Massachusetts limited liability company that owns approximately 54 acres of land located in Salisbury, Massachusetts that is leased to a 5.7 MW operationalutility scale solar farm. Pursuant to the lease agreement, PWSS’ tenant is required to pay PWSS rent of $80,800 cash for the year December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013, with a 1.0% escalation in each corresponding year thereafter. Rent is payable quarterly in advance and is recorded by Power REIT for accounting purposes on a straight-line basis. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 rent has been recorded in the amount of $89,494. At the end of the 22-year lease period, which commenced on December 1, 2011 (prior to being assumed by PWSS), the tenant has certain renewal options, with terms to be mutually agreed upon.

F-7

PW Tulare Solar, LLC (“PWTS”) is a California limited liability company that owns approximately 100 acres of land leased to five (5) utility scale solar farms, with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 20MW, located near Fresno, California. The solar farm tenants pay PWTS an aggregate annual rent of $157,500 cash, payable in advance and without escalation during the 25-year term of the leases. At the end of the 25-year term,terms, which commenced in March 2013 (prior to being assumed by PWTS), the tenants have certain renewal options, with terms to be mutually agreed upon. For each of the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, PWTS recorded rental income of $157,500.

 

PW Regulus Solar, LLC (“PWRS”) is a California limited liability company that owns approximately 447 acres of land leased to an operatinga utility scale solar projectfarm with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 82 Megawatts in Kern County, California near Bakersfield. PWRS’s lease was structured to provide it with initial quarterly rental payments until the solar farm achieved commercial operation which occurred inon November 11, 2014. During the primary term of the lease which extends for 20 years from achieving commercial operations, PWRS will receivereceives an initial annual rent of approximately $735,000 per annum which grows at 1% per annum. The lease is a “triple net” lease with all expenses to be paid by the tenant. At the end of the primary term of the lease, the tenants have certain renewal options with rent calculated as the greater of a minimum stated rental amount or a percentage of the total project-level gross revenue. The acquisition price, not including transaction and closing costs, was approximately $9.2 million. For each of the yearstwelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, PWRS recorded rental income of $803,116$803,116.

PW CO CanRE JAB LLC (“PW JAB”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a new formed wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust. In July 2019, PW JAB acquired two properties (the “JAB Properties”) in southern Colorado that have approximately 7.3 acres with 18,612 square feet of greenhouse cultivation and $803,109 respectively.processing space. PW JAB has entered into two cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted triple-net leases with JAB Industries Ltd. for the JAB Properties. The leases provide that tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the JAB Properties, including maintenance expenses, insurance and taxes. The term of each of the leases is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, PW JAB recorded rental income from the JAB Properties of $182,249. The leases also have financial guarantees from affiliates of the tenant. The tenant intends to operate the JAB Properties as licensed cannabis cultivation and processing facilities. The rent for each of the leases is structured whereby after a six-month free-rent period, the rental payments provide the Trust a full return of invested capital over the next three years in equal monthly payments. After the 42nd month, rent is structured to provide a 12.5% return on the original invested capital amount which will increase at a 3% rate per annum. At any time after year six, if cannabis is legalized at the federal level, the rent will be adjusted down to an amount equal to a 9% return on the original invested capital amount and will increase at a 3% rate per annum based on a starting date of the start of year seven. The tenant is an affiliate of a company that owns and operates two indoor cannabis cultivation facilities and five dispensary locations in the State of Colorado along with several other cannabis related projects under development. The leases require the tenant to maintain a medical cannabis license and operate in accordance with all Colorado and local regulations with respect to its operations. The leases prohibit the retail sale of the tenant’s cannabis and cannabis-infused products from the JAB Properties.

 

The Company’s revenue is highly concentrated, with lease payments from the lessee of P&WV and PWRS assets representing approximately 47%42% and 41%37%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019.

F-8

 

Power REIT has elected to be treated for tax purposes as a REIT, which means that it is exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a sufficient portion of its annual income is distributed to its shareholders, and if certain other requirements are met. In order for Power REIT to maintain its REIT qualification, at least 90% of its ordinary taxable annual income must be distributed to shareholders.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”GAAP���).

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the new standard’s effective date by one year. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.

We will adopt the new revenue guidance effective January 1, 2018. Our analysis of our contracts under the new revenue recognition standard supports the recognition of revenue over time under the straight-line method for our leases, which is consistent with our historical revenue recognition model. Consequently, we do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No 2016-09 “Compensation - Stock compensation” (Topic 718). The new guidance is intended to simplify some provisions in stock compensation accounting, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and was adopted for 2017 with no material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842). The standard requires companies that lease valuable assets like aircraft, real estate, and heavy equipment to recognize on their balance sheets the assets and liabilities generated by contracts longer than a year. The standard also requires companies to disclose in the footnotes to their financial statements information about the amount, timing, and uncertainty for the payments they make for the lease agreements. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt this standard when effective,2018, and the impact on our financial statementsCompany adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2019. The lessor accounting model under ASC 842 is similar to existing guidance, however, it limits the capitalization of initial direct leasing costs, such as internally generated costs.

The Company elected all practical expedients permitted under ASC 842, other than the hindsight practical expedient. Accordingly, the Company will retain distinction between a finance lease (i.e., capital leases under existing guidance) and an operating lease and account for its existing operating leases as operating leases under the new guidance, without reassessing (a) whether the contracts contain a lease under ASC 842, (b) whether classification of the operating leases would be different in accordance with ASC 842 or (c) whether the unamortized initial direct costs before transition adjustments would have met the definition of initial direct costs in ASC 842 at lease commencement. The Company does not currently estimable.have a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption.

 

In January 2016,June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No 2016-01, “RecognitionNo. 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718),” which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and Measurementservices from non-employees. The adoption of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10). The new guidance is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. This guidance requires that financial assets and financial liabilities must be separately presented by measurement category and form of financial assetASU 2018-07 on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard includes a requirement that businesses must report changes in the fair value of their own liabilities in other comprehensive income (loss) instead of earnings, and this is the only provision of the update for which the FASB is permitting early adoption. We expect to adopt this guidance when effective, and doJanuary 1, 2019 did not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Power REIT and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

F-9

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Trust considers all highly liquid investments with original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of a money market fund reported in the consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Railroad Lease is treated as a capitaldirect financing lease, and income to P&WV under the Railroad Lease is recognized as earned based on an implicit rate of 10% over the life of the lease, which is assumed to be perpetual for the purposes of revenue recognition and recording the leased assets on the consolidated balance sheet.sheets.

 

Lease revenue from solar land and greenhouse properties that isare subject to an operating lease with rent escalation provisions isare recorded on a straight-line basis when the amount of escalation in lease payments is known at the time Power REIT enters into the lease agreement, or known at the time Power REIT assumes an existing lease agreement as part of a landan acquisition (e.g., an annual fixed percentage escalation).

 

Lease revenue from land that is subject to an operating lease without rent escalation provisions is recorded on a straight-line basis.

 

Other Assets

The Trust records an asset for prepaid expenses and capitalizes other expenses that are expected to provide Power REIT with benefits over a period of one year or longer.

During 2016, the Trust fully amortized approximately $43,000 of remaining capitalized shelf-offering expenses based on the expiration of its shelf-offering. There were no transactions related to the shelf-offering during 2016 or 2017.

During 2016, the Trust fully amortized the remaining capitalized asset related to its ATM and Series A Preferred Stock Offering of approximately $85,000 and $24,000 respectively based on the expiration of both offerings. There were no sales of stock related to the ATM or Series A Preferred Stock Offering during 2016 or 2017.

Intangibles

 

A portion of the acquisition price of the assets acquired by PWTS have been allocated on The Trust’s consolidated balance sheetsheets between Land and Intangibles’ fair values at the date of acquisition. The total amount of intangibles established was approximately $237,000, which will be amortized over a 24.6-year period. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, approximately $10,000 of the intangibles was amortized.

 

A portion of the acquisition price of the assets acquired by PWRS have been allocated on The Trust’s consolidated balance sheets between Land and Intangibles’ fair values at the date of acquisition. The total amount of intangibles established was approximately $4,714,000, which is amortized over a 20.7-year period. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, approximately $227,000 of the intangibles was amortized.

 

Intangible assets are evaluated whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. There were no impairment charges recorded for the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016.2018.

The following table provides a summary of the Intangible Assets:

 

 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016  December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 
   Accumulated Net book   Accumulated Net book    Accumulated Net book   Accumulated Net book 
 Cost amortization value Cost amortization value  Cost amortization value Cost amortization value 
Intangibles - PWTS $237,471  $43,083  $194,388  $237,471  $33,429  $204,042  $237,471  $62,389  $175,082  $237,471  $52,737  $184,734 
Intangibles - PWRS  4,713,548   844,199   3,869,349   4,713,548   616,711   4,096,837   4,713,548   1,299,177   3,414,371   4,713,548   1,071,687   3,641,861 
Total $4,951,019  $887,282  $4,063,737  $4,951,019  $650,140  $4,300,879  $4,951,019  $1,361,566  $3,589,453  $4,951,019  $1,124,424  $3,826,595 

F-10

 

The following table provides a summary of the current estimate of future amortization of Intangible Assets:

 

2018 $237,141 
2019  237,141 
2020  237,141  $237,141 
2021  237,141   237,141 
2022  237,141   237,141 
2023  237,141 
2024  237,141 
Thereafter  2,878,032   2,403,748 
Total $4,063,737  $3,589,453 

 

Land

 

Land is carried at cost. Newly acquired investments in land with in-place leases are accounted for as business combinations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Upon the acquisition of land, management assesses the fair value of acquired assets (including land, improvements and identified intangibles such as above- and below-market leases and acquired in-place leases) and acquired and assumed liabilities (if any), and allocates the acquisition price based on these assessments. Newly acquired investments in land without in-place leases are recorded at cost (including costs related to the acquisition of the land).

 

Net Investment in CapitalDirect Financing Lease – Railroad

 

P&WV’s net investment in its leased railroad property, recognizing the lessee’s perpetual renewal options, was estimated to have a current value of $9,150,000, assuming an implicit interest rate of 10%.

 

Fair Value

 

Fair value represents the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Trust measures its financial assets and liabilities in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

 

Level 1 – valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, or interest in open-end mutual funds that allow a company to sell its ownership interest back at net asset value on a daily basis. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets, liabilities or funds.
   
Level 2 – valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer, or broker markets, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 includes U.S. Treasury, U.S. government and agency debt securities, and certain corporate obligations. Valuations are usually obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, such as option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities.

 

F-11

In determining fair value, the Trust utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considering counterparty credit risk.

 

The carrying amounts of Power REIT’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, deposits,prepaid expenses, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their relatively short-term maturities. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value since the related rates of interest approximate current market rates. There are no financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016.2018.

 

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted net earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus any potential dilutive shares for the period. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company determined that there were no dilutive common shares, accordingly, basic and diluted earnings per share were the same.

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts in the 2016 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2017current period presentation.

 

2 – CONCENTRATIONS

 

The Company’s revenue is highly concentrated, with lease payments from the lessee of P&WV and PWRS assets representing approximately 47%42% and 41%37%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. PWV’s tenant is NSC which is a Class I railroad and, as reported in its Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 5, 2018,6, 2020, had approximately $16.4$15.2 billion of total stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2017,2019, and earned approximately $5.4$2.7 billion of net income during its fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Power REIT places its cash and cash equivalents with a single, high-credit quality financial institution; however amounts are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC.

 

3 – CAPITALACQUISITIONS

On July 12, 2019, through two new wholly owned subsidiaries, PW CanRe of Co. Holdings, LLC and PW CO CanRE JAB, LLC, Power REIT completed the acquisition of two greenhouse properties in southern Colorado. One property was acquired for $1,075,000, is 2.11 acres and has an existing greenhouse and processing facility totaling 12,996 square feet. The other property was acquired for $695,000, is 5.2 acres and has an existing greenhouse and processing facility totaling 5,616 square feet. The total combined purchase price of $1,770,000 plus acquisition expenses of $29,021 was paid with existing working capital.

The acquisitions are accounted for as asset acquisitions under ASC 805-50. Power REIT has established a depreciable life for the greenhouses of 20 years. The Company recognized depreciation expense of approximately $38,800 related to the greenhouses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Concurrent with the closing on the acquisitions, Power REIT entered into leases with a tenant that is licensed for the production of medical marijuana at the facilities

F-12

The combined straight-line annual rent is approximately $331,000 although the rental payments are accelerated such that Power REIT will receive a full return of capital over the first 42 months of the lease. The tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the properties including maintenance, insurance and taxes. The term of each of the leases is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. The leases also have financial guarantees from affiliates of the tenant.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase consideration based on the fair values of the assets acquired:

Land $140,577 
Assets subject to depreciation:    
Improvements (greenhouses)  1,658,444 
     
Total Assets Acquired $1,799,021 

4 – DIRECT FINANCING LEASES AND OPERATING LEASES

 

CapitalDirect Financing Leases

 

The Railroad Lease provides for a base cash rental of $915,000 per annum, payable quarterly, for the current 99-year lease period. The leased properties are maintained entirely at the lessee’s expense. Under the terms of the Railroad Lease, which became effective October 16, 1964, NSC (formerly Norfolk and Western Railway Company) leased all of P&WV’s real properties, including its railroad lines, for a term of 99 years, renewable by the lessee upon the same terms for additional 99-year terms in perpetuity.

 

Prior to 1983, the Railroad Lease was accounted for as an operating lease in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board [FASB] ASC 840,Leases, because the railroad assets as accounted for under “betterment accounting” were considered similar to land. Effective January 1, 1983, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) changed the method of accounting for railroad companies from “betterment accounting” (which was previously used by the P&WV and most railroads) to “depreciation accounting”. The leased assets, under “depreciation accounting,” are no longer similar to land; and, effective January 1, 1983, under the provisions of ASC 840, the Railroad Lease is considered a capitaldirect financing lease and the property deemed sold in exchange for rentals receivable under GAAP accounting. As of January 1, 2019, the accounting model under ASC 842 was adopted and there is no material change to the financial statements.

The Railroad Lease may be terminated by the lessee at the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, or by default of NSC. In the event of termination, NSC is obligated to return to P&WV all properties covered by the Railroad Lease, together with sufficient cash and other assets to permit operation of the railroad for a period of one year. In addition, NSC would be obligated upon default or termination, to the extent NSC has not previously paid indebtedness due to P&WV, to settle remaining indebtedness owed to P&WV. The existing indebtedness owed to P&WV, including the ability of P&WV to make an immediate demand for payment of such amounts, was part of the subject of a multi-year litigation which concluded in 2017. See 10, Legal Proceedings.

 

P&WV has determined that the lease term is perpetual (for GAAP accounting purposes only) because it is perceived that it would be un-economic for the lessee to terminate and the Lessee has control over its actions with respect to default and has unlimited renewal options. Accordingly, as of January 1, 1983, the rentals receivable of $915,000 per annum, recognizing renewal options by the lessee in perpetuity, were estimated to have a present value of $9,150,000, assuming an implicit interest rate of 10% as of the date FASB ASC 840 and 842 was implemented. The Company has evaluated their long-lived assets for impairment under ASC 360 and concluded there are no impairment indicators as of December 31, 2017.2019.

F-13

 

Operating Leases

 

PWSS’ land is subject to a lease agreement with a special purpose entity that owns a solar farm with an original 22-year initial term with two five-year extension options on economic terms to be mutually agreed to between PWSS and the lessee. The lease commenced on December 1, 2011 and has approximately twenty years left on the initial term. The initial term is due to expire December 1, 2033, with two five-year extension options at the lessee’s option at fair market rates to be mutually determined. PWSS assumed the existing lease upon its acquisition of the Salisbury land. Pursuant to the lease, the lessee will pay PWSS $80,800 of annual cash rent during December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013. Rent is paid quarterly in advance with a 1.0% annual escalation. Rent from the lease will be recorded on a straight-line basis, with $89,494 recorded during the years ended 2017December 31, 2019 and 2016.2018.

 

PWTS’ land is subject to lease agreements with special purpose entities that own solar farms with an original 25-year initial term (the “PWTS Leases”). The PWTS Leases include two five-year extension options on economic terms to be mutually agreed to between PWTS and the lessees. The PWTS Leases commenced in March 2013 (prior to being assumed by PWTS). PWTS assumed the existing PWTS Leases upon its acquisition of the Tulare land. Pursuant to the PWTS Leases, the lessee will pay PWTS $157,500 of annual cash rent paid annually in advance in March of each. A total of $157,500 of rent paid to PWTS was recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016.2018.

 

PWRS’ land is subject to a lease agreement with a special purpose entity that owns a solar farms with an initial term that expires 20 years from the project commencing operations which occurred on November 11, 2014 (the “PWRS Lease”). At the end of the initial lease term, the tenant has certain renewal options, with rent calculated as the greater of a minimum stated rental amount or a percentage of the total project-level gross revenues. Pursuant to the PWTS Leases, the lessee will pay PWTS $735,000 in its first year after achieving commercial operations which grows at 1% per annum on a “triple net” basis with all expenses to be paid by the tenant. Rent from the lease will be recorded on a straight-line basis, with $803,116 and $803,109 recorded for each of the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016, respectively.2018.

PW JAB’s lands and greenhouses are subject to two cross collateralized and cross- defaulted lease agreements with a special purpose entity that is licensed for the production of medical cannabis at the facilities. The leases commenced on July 12, 2019 and the initial combined straight-line annual rent is approximately $331,000 although the rental payments are accelerated such that Power REIT will receive a full return of capital over the first 42 months of the leases. The term of each lease is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. The leases also have financial guarantees from affiliates of the tenant.

On November 1, 2019, PW JAB and its tenant agreed to expand the greenhouse at one of the two properties by 10,800 square feet with Power REIT funding $899,582 for the expansion. As part of the transaction the Lease was amended to increase the rent whereby after a six-month period, the additional rental payments provide PW JAB with a full return of its invested capital related to the expansion over the next three years in equal monthly payments. Thereafter, rent is structured to provide a 12.5% return on the original invested capital amount which will increase at a 3% rate per annum. At any time after year six of the Lease, if cannabis is legalized at the federal level, the rent will be readjusted down to an amount equal to a 9% return on the original invested capital amount and will increase at a 3% rate per annum based on a starting date of the start of year seven. The additional straight-line annual rent related to the expansion is approximately $165,000.

F-14

The leases provide that Tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the JAB Properties, including maintenance expenses, insurance and taxes.

Rent on the leases is recorded by the Trust for accounting purposes on a straight-line basis, with $182,249 having been recorded during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

The following is a schedule by years of minimum future rentals on non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2017:2019:

 

 Total  Total 
2018  1,000,249 
2019  1,008,631 
   
2020  1,017,097   1,803,960 
2021  1,025,648   1,938,841 
2022  1,034,284   1,947,478 
2023  1,465,020 
2024  1,404,177 
Thereafter  13,456,079   17,803,927 
Total  18,541,988   26,363,403 

 

45 – LONG-TERM DEBT

 

On November 6, 2015, PWRS borrowed $10,150,000 pursuant to a bond offering (the “PWRS Bonds”).

 

The PWRS Bonds PWRS Bonds are secured by land and intangibles owned by PWRS and have a total obligation of $10,150,000. The PWRS Bonds carry a fixed annual interest rate of 4.34% and matures in 2034. During 2015, the Trust capitalized approximately $441,000 of expenses related to the PWRS Bonds of which approximately $97,000 was paid in cash and approximately 344,000 was incurred through issuance of debt. This amount is amortized over the life of the PWRS Bonds. For each of 2017 and 2016, the Trust amortized approximately $23,000 and $22,000, respectively, of this capitalized debt cost which is included in the amortization of debt costs on the consolidated statements of cash flows.As of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, the balance of the PWRS Bonds was approximately $9,178,000$8,538,000 (net of unamortized debt costs of approximately $370,000)$325,000) and $9,466,000$8,870,000 (net of unamortized debt costs of approximately add $393,000)$348,000), respectively.

 

On July 5, 2013, PWSS borrowed $750,000 from a regional bank (the “PWSS Term Loan”) to refinance a bridge loan that had been extended by HBP in connection with PWSS’ acquisition of leased property in December 2012. The PWSS Term Loan carries a fixed interest rate of 5.0%, a term of 10-years and amortizes based on a twenty-year principal amortization schedule. In addition to being secured by PWSS’ real estate assets, the term loan is secured by a parent guarantee from the Trust. The balance of the PWSS Term Loan as of December 31, 20172019 and December 31, 20162018 is approximately $626,000$579,000 (net of approximately $15,000$9,500 of capitalized debt costs which are being amortized over the life of the financing) and $650,000$605,000 (net of approximately $18,000$12,000 of capitalized debt costs which are being amortized over the life of the financing), respectively.

F-15

 

On December 31, 2012, as part of the Salisbury land acquisition, PWSS assumed existing municipal financing (“Municipal Debt”). The Municipal Debt has approximately 1512 years remaining. The Municipal Debt has a simple interest rate of 5.0% that is paid annually, with the next payment due February 1, 2017.2019. The balance of the Municipal Debt as of December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 is approximately $90,000$77,000 and $96,000 respectively.$83,000respectively.

On November 25, 2019, Power REIT, through a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, completed a financing that is intended to provide capital for acquisition of additional properties on an accretive basis. The financing is in the form of long-term fixed rate bonds with gross proceeds of $15,500,000. The bonds carry a fixed interest rate of 4.62% and fully amortize over the life of the financing which matures in 2054 (35 years). The bonds are fully secured by the equity interest in Power REIT’s wholly owned subsidiary – PWV. The total debt issuance costs which will be amortized over the life of the financing is approximately $312,200. The balance of the loan as of December 31, 2019 is $15,168,600 (net of approximately $311,000 of capitalized debt costs).

 

The approximate amount of principal payments remaining on Power REIT’s long-term debt as of December 31, 20172019 is described below:

 

 Total Debt  Total Debt 
2018  366,520 
2019  389,996 
2020  414,585   598,256 
2021  442,171   635,517 
2022  472,958   675,390 
2023  1,167,971 
2024  715,778 
Thereafter  8,192,777   21,215,114 
Long term debt  10,279,007   25,008,026 

56 – LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

The Trust grants awards pursuant to its 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”), which was approved at the Trust’s 2012 annual shareholder meeting. The Plan provides for grants of stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and other equity incentive awards to employees, officers and other persons providing services to the Trust and its subsidiaries, including outside directors. Compensation may be awarded under the Plan until it is terminated or until the ten-year anniversary of the Plan. The initial number of shares of stock available for issuance under the Plan was 200,000 shares. The Plan contains an “evergreen” provision that automatically adjusts the number of shares available for future issuance, as provided in Section 4 of the Plan (subject to certain adjustments) as follows: “the number of shares of Stock which shall be made available for issuance under the Plan shall be increased by the positive number of shares equal to the lesser of: (i) (A) 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Stock, calculated on a fully diluted and consolidated basis (including the OP Units of our Operating Partnership, if any), less (B) the sum of (1) the aggregate number of shares remaining available for issuance under the Plan as of such date, plus (2) the aggregate number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and unvested shares of Restricted Stock or other unvested equity compensation granted under the Plan as of such date, or (ii) a lesser amount determined by the Compensation Committee. For clarity, if the amount determined in the formula in the preceding sentence is negative, the number of shares available for issuance shall neither be increased nor decreased.” In addition, the Trust grants restricted stock that is not subject to the Plan.

 

F-16

Summary of Stock Based Compensation Activity – Options

 

The summary of Plan activity for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, with respect to the Trust’s stock options, was as follows:

 

     Weighted    
  Number of  Average  Aggregate 
  Options  Exercise Price  Intrinsic Value 
Balance as of December 31, 2016  106,000   7.96   - 
Plan Awards  -   -   - 
Options Exercised  -   -   - 
Balance as of September 30, 2017  106,000   7.96   - 
Options vested at September 30, 2017  106,000   7.96   - 
     Weighted    
  Number of  Average  Aggregate 
  Options  Exercise Price  Intrinsic Value 
Balance as of December 31, 2018  106,000   7.96   - 
Plan Awards  -   -   - 
Options Exercised  -   -   - 
Balance as of December 31, 2019  106,000   7.96   110,240 
Options vested at December 31, 2019  106,000   7.96   110,240 

 

As of December 31, 2017,2019, the weighted average remaining term of the options is 4.622.61 years.

 

The summary of Plan activity for the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, with respect to the Trust’s stock options, was as follows:

 

     Weighted    
  Number of  Average  Aggregate 
  Options  Exercise Price  Intrinsic Value 
Balance at December 31, 2015  106,000  $7.96   41,340 
Plan Awards  -         
Options Exercised  -   -     
Balance as of December 31, 2016  106,000   7.96   0 
Options expected to vest at December 31, 2016  -   7.96   0 
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2016  106,000   7.96   0 
     Weighted    
  Number of  Average  Aggregate 
  Options  Exercise Price  Intrinsic Value 
Balance as of December 31, 2017  106,000   7.96   - 
Plan Awards  -   -   - 
Options Exercised  -   -   - 
Balance as of December 31, 2018  106,000   7.96   - 
Options vested at December 31, 2018  106,000   7.96            - 

 

As of December 31, 2016,2018, the weighted average remaining term of the options is 5.623.61 years.

Summary of Stock Based Compensation Activity – Restricted Stock

 

The summary of stock based compensation activity for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, with respect to the Trust’s restricted stock, was as follows:

 

  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares of  Average 
  Restricted  Grant Date 
  Stock  Fair Value 
Balance as of December 31, 2016  38,633   5.31 
Plan Awards  42,400   6.89 
Restricted Stock Vested  (32,200)  6.09 
Balance as of December 31, 2017  48,833   6.17 

Summary of Activity - Restricted Stock

  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares of  Average 
  Restricted  Grant Date 
  Stock  Fair Value 
Balance as of December 31, 2018  54,033   6.23 
Plan Awards  2,800   5.80 
Restricted Stock Vested  (32,800)  6.26 
Balance as of December 31, 2019  24,033   6.14 

F-17

 

The summary of Stock Based Compensation activity for the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, with respect to the Trust’s restricted stock, was as follows:

 

  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares of  Average 
  Restricted  Grant Date 
  Stock  Fair Value 
Balance at December 31, 2015  24,875  $7.58 
Plan Awards  42,250   5.02 
Restricted Stock Vested  (28,492)  6.87 
Balance as of December 31, 2016  38,633   5.31 

Summary of Plan Activity - Restricted Stock

  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares of  Average 
  Restricted  Grant Date 
  Stock  Fair Value 
Balance as of December 31, 2017  48,833   6.17 
Plan Awards  42,800   6.03 
Restricted Stock Vested  (37,600)  5.92 
Balance as of December 31, 2018  54,033   6.23 

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

During 2017,2019, the Trust recorded approximately $196,000$205,000 of non-cash expense related to restricted stock and options granted under the Plan compared to approximately $196,000$223,000 for 2016.2018. As of December 31, 20172019, there was approximately $301,000$148,000 of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense, which expense will be recognized through the first quarter of 2019, equating to a weighted average amortization period of approximately 1.5 years from the issuance date.2021. The Trust does not currently have a policy regarding the repurchase of shares on the open market related to equity awards and does not currently intend to acquire shares on the open market.awards.

 

67 - INCOME TAXES

 

The Trust is organized as a Maryland-domiciled real estate investment trust and has elected to be treated under the Internal Revenue Code as a real estate investment trust. As such, the Trust does not pay Federal taxes on taxable income and capital gains to the extent that they are distributed to shareholders. In order to maintain qualified status, at least 90% of annual ordinary taxable income must be distributed; it is the intention of the trustees to continue to make sufficient distributions to maintain qualified status.

 

Under the Railroad Lease, NSC reimburses P&WV, in the form of additional cash rent, for all taxes and governmental charges imposed upon the assets leased by NSC from P&WV, except for taxes relating to cash rent payments made by the lessee. Due to the treatment of the Railroad Lease as a direct financing lease for financial reporting purposes, the tax basis of the leased property is higher than the basis of the leased property as reported in these consolidated financial statements.

The Trust has implemented the accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes using the provisions of FASB ASC 740,Income Taxes. Using that guidance, tax positions initially need to be recognized in the financial statements when it is more-likely-than-not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities.

 

Dividends distributed byFor the Trust for the yearyears ended December 31, 2016 amounting to $279,870 were characterized as follows: 66.23% is deemed ordinary income2019 and 33.77% is deemed a return of capital. For the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, 100% of dividends distributed by the Trust of $279,871$280,232 were deemed a return of capital.

 

The Trust and its wholly-owned subsidiary P&WV are generally no longer subject to examination by income taxing authorities for years ended prior to December 31, 2013.2014.

 

F-18

78 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Trust and its subsidiaries have hired Morrison Cohen, LLP (“Morrison Cohen”) as their legal counsel with respect to general corporate matters and the litigation with NSC. The spouse of the Trust’s Chairman, CEO, Secretary and Treasurer is a partner at Morrison Cohen. During the twelve monthsyear ended December 31, 2017,2019, Power REIT (on a consolidated basis) did not pay any legal fees and costs to Morrison Cohen in connection with various legal matters, including the litigation with NSC.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, David H. Lesser paid $1,176 in expenses payable on behalf of the Company. This is an unsecured, non-interest bearing payable and is due on demand.Cohen.

 

A wholly-owned subsidiary of HBPHudson Bay Partners, LP (“HBP”), an entity associated with the CEO of the company, David Lesser, provides the Trust and its subsidiaries with office space at no cost. Effective September 2016, the Board of Directors approved reimbursing an affiliate of HBP $1,000 per month for administrative and accounting support based on a conclusion that it would pay more for such support from a third party. During 2017 and 2016, aA total of $12,000 and $4,000, respectively, was paid pursuant to this arrangement.arrangement during each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. On January 28, 2020, the Board of Directors approved increasing the monthly reimbursement to HBP to $1,750 effective January 1, 2020 based on increased work level as well as a recognition that such work would cost significantly more if an independent third party firm was retained.

David Lesser, CEO, paid expenses on behalf of the Company in the amount of $1,374 during 2018 which is disclosed as accounts payable – related party in the consolidated balance sheets. The amount is noninterest bearing, unsecured, and due on demand. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the accounts payable – related party was repaid.

 

Under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, the Trust may enter into transactions in which trustees, officers or employees have a financial interest, provided however, that in the case of a material financial interest, the transaction is disclosed to the Board of Trustees or the transaction shall be fair and reasonable. After consideration of the terms and conditions of the retention of Morrison Cohen described herein, and cost for administrative and accounting supportthe reimbursement to HBP described herein, the independent trustees approved such arrangements determininghaving determined such arrangement to beare fair and reasonable and in the interest of the Trust.

 

89 - CONTINGENCY

 

The Trust is not subject to any contingencies, except as described in Note 10, Legal Proceedings. The Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, P&WV, is subject to various restrictions imposed by the Railroad Lease with NSC, including restrictions on share and debt issuance, including guarantees.

 

910 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On January 30, 2020 and February 2, 2018,20, 2020, Power REIT (the “Trust”) acquired two properties located in southern Colorado (the “Properties”) through two newly formed wholly owned subsidiaries of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust (each a “PropCo”).

The first property, “Maverick 14”, was acquired for $850,000 and is 5.54 acres with an existing greenhouse and processing facility totaling approximately 8,300 square feet. As part of the transaction, the Trust has agreed to fund the immediate expansion of 15,120 square feet of greenhouse space for $1,058,400 and the tenant has agreed to fund the construction of approximately 2,520 additional square feet of head-house/processing space on the property. Accordingly, Power REIT’s total capital commitment totals $1,908,400.

The second property, “Sherman 6”, was acquired for $150,000 and is 5.0 acres of vacant land approved for cannabis cultivation. As part of the transaction, the Trust has agreed to fund the immediate construction of 15,120 square feet of greenhouse space and 7,520 square feet of head-house/processing space on the property for $1,693,800. Accordingly, Power REIT’s total capital commitment totals $1,843,800.

F-19

The total combined investment across these properties will be approximately $3,752,200 plus acquisition expenses. The acquisitions and commitments to fund construction are being funded from existing working capital.

Each Propco has entered into a triple-net lease with an operator such that the tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the Properties, including maintenance expenses, insurance and taxes. The term of each lease is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. The Leases also have financial guarantees from affiliates of the tenants. Each tenant intends to operate the Properties as licensed cannabis cultivation and processing facilities.

The rent for each of the Leases is structured whereby after a deferred-rent period, the rental payments provide Power REIT a full return of invested capital over the next three years in equal monthly payments. The deferred-rent period for one of the leases is six months and for the other lease is nine months. After the deferred-rent period, rent is structured to provide a 12.5% return for one of the leases and a 12.9% return for the other lease based on the original invested capital amount with annual rent increases of 3% rate per annum. At any time after year six, if cannabis is legalized at the federal level, the rent will be readjusted down to an amount equal to a 9% return on the original invested capital amount and will increase at a 3% rate per annum based on a starting date of the start of year seven.

The Leases require the Tenant to maintain a medical cannabis license and operate in accordance with all Colorado and state and local regulations with respect to its operations. The Leases prohibit the retail sale of the Tenant’s cannabis and cannabis-infused products from the Properties.

On January 29, 2020, the Registrant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.484375 per share on Power REIT’s 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock payable on March 15, 20182020 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2018.2020.

On January 31, 2020, Mr. Lesser was granted 40,000 shares as compensation which vests quarterly over three years with the first vesting to occur on 3/31/20.

On March 19, 2020, Power REIT (the “Trust”) acquired a property located in southern Colorado (the “Property”) through a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust (“PropCo”).

The property, “Maverick 5”, was acquired for $150,000 and is 5.2 acres of vacant land approved for cannabis cultivation. As part of the transaction, the Trust has agreed to fund the immediate construction of 5,040 square feet of greenhouse space and 4,920 square feet of head-house/processing space on the property for $868,125. Accordingly, Power REIT’s total capital commitment totals $1,018,125 plus acquisition expenses.

The Propco has entered into a triple-net lease with an operator such that the tenant is responsible for paying all expenses related to the Property, including maintenance expenses, insurance and taxes. The term of the lease is 20 years and provides two options to extend for additional five-year periods. The Lease also has a financial guarantee from affiliates of the tenant. The tenant intends to operate the Property as a licensed cannabis cultivation and processing facility. The rent for the Lease is structured whereby after a deferred-rent period, the rental payment provides Power REIT a full return of invested capital over the next three years in equal monthly payments. The deferred-rent period for the lease is six months. After the deferred-rent period, rent is structured to provide a 12.5% return for the lease based on the original invested capital amount with annual rent increases of 3% rate per annum. At any time after year six, if cannabis is legalized at the federal level, the rent will be readjusted down to an amount equal to a 9% return on the original invested capital amount and will increase at a 3% rate per annum based on a starting date of the start of year seven.

The Lease requires the Tenant to maintain a medical cannabis license and operate in accordance with all Colorado and state and local regulations with respect to its operations. The Leases prohibit the retail sale of the Tenant’s cannabis and cannabis-infused products from the Properties.

1011 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

As previously disclosed in its public filings with the SEC, the Trust and its wholly-owned subsidiary P&WV have been involved in litigation with NSC and NSC’s sub-lessee, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad (“WLE” and, together with NSC, the “Litigants”) concerning matters arising under the Railroad Lease. The case was pending in Federal trial court in Pittsburgh (the “Court”). The Litigants initiated the litigation against the Trust and P&WV in December 2011, seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment that NSC was not in default under the Railroad Lease.

 

P&WV, as lessor, asserted counterclaims, seeking determinations that NSC was in default under the Railroad Lease for, among other things, failing to reimburse P&WV for certain legal fees incurred by P&WV, failing to permit P&WV to inspect NSC’s books and records as called for under the terms of the Railroad Lease and failing to pay other amounts that P&WV believes are due and owing. P&WV also sought declarations from the Court (a) that NSC’s obligation to repay the indebtedness owed under the Railroad Lease is not indefinite in duration, and (b) that the indebtedness owed to P&WV is due on demand with interest. If P&WV was successful with certain of its counterclaims, it would have been able to terminate the Railroad Lease and demand from NSC payment of the indebtedness.

 

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The indebtedness is the cumulative result of amounts received by NSC from its dispositions of P&WV property, additional rental amounts due and other sums that NSC owes to P&WV but which NSC has elected, under its interpretation of the Railroad Lease, to pay by increasing its indebtedness to P&WV rather than by providing P&WV with cash. According to records maintained by NSC pursuant to the Railroad Lease and provided by NSC to P&WV, as of December 31, 2012 the indebtedness owed to P&WV was approximately $16,600,000. NSC has not provided a more recent update of the indebtedness amount. The indebtedness has not been included in P&WV’s balance sheets prepared under GAAP, because of the dispute as to when it is due. Similarly, certain additional rental amounts that NSC disputes are due on a current basis, and which have historically been treated as indebtedness, have not been included in P&WV’s income statements or balance sheets prepared under GAAP; however, these additional rent amounts have historically been recorded as taxable income on P&WV’s tax returns.

 

The parties made certain supplements to their respective claims and counterclaims. In August 2013, P&WV filed a second supplement to its counterclaims following the Litigants’ disclosure of previously undisclosed dispositions of P&WV property. P&WV was seeking a ruling that additional amounts are owed to it as a result of these dispositions and, accordingly, asserted new counterclaims, including claims of fraud and conversion. Based on the information available at the time P&WV supplemented its claims, P&WV estimated that the additional amounts owed to it exceeded $8 million, not including potential interest and damages. P&WV also supplemented its counterclaim for additional rental amounts due in order to include the reimbursement of its legal expenses related to the litigation. In response to P&WV’s second supplement to its counterclaims, in January 2014 the Litigants amended their pleadings to add additional claims against both P&WV and the Trust. The Litigants’ additional claims sought additional declarations from the Court that the Litigants have not defaulted on or violated the terms of the Railroad Lease.

On September 13, 2013, the Trust filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of all of the claims against it primarily based on the fact that the Trust is not a party to the Lease. On January 15, 2014, the Court heard oral arguments from the parties on the Trust’s motion. On October 16, 2013, the Litigants filed a motion seeking leave to supplement their claims to include: (i) nominal damages, (ii) enjoinment of Power REIT from taking actions in breach of the Lease Agreement, (iii) the withdrawal of NSC’s consent to the additional share by PWV; and (iv) the undoing of the reverse triangular merger. On June 19, 2014, the court denied the Trust’s motion but also denied Plaintiff’s motion seeking leave to supplement their claims with the exception of granting the motion to seek nominal damages.

 

On September 8, 2014, P&WV filed a Motion for Summary Judgment and on October 22, 2014, the Litigants filed an opposition to such motion and on November 5, 2014, P&WV filed a Reply to NSC and WLE’s opposition to such motion. On September 8, 2014, the Litigants filed a Motion for Summary Judgment and on October 22, 2014, P&WV filed an opposition to such motion and on November 5, 2014, the Litigants filed a reply to P&WV’s opposition to such motion. On December 16, 2014, the court held oral argument on both of the motions for Summary Judgment.

 

On April 22, 2015, the court denied P&WV’s motion for summary judgment and granted the Litigants’ summary judgment motion thereby dismissing all of P&WV’s claims. During the week of August 3, 2015, a trial was conducted on the two remaining claims of the Litigants against P&WV and Power REIT. On December 29, 2015, the Court issued a ruling with respect to the remaining claims that were the subject of the trial. In the ruling, the Court found in favor of Power REIT on all claims brought against it by NSC and WLE. In addition, the Court also found in favor of P&WV with respect to claims brought against P&WV by WLE. However, the Court did find in favor of NSC against P&WV for certain of its claims (fraud and breach of contract) and awarded nominal damages of $1.00. In connection with NSC’s demand for punitive damages, the Court ruled that NSC was not entitled to punitive damages.

 

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On January 26, 2016, Power REIT and P&WV filed a Notice of Appeal to appeal the matter to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On April 28, 2016, Power REIT and P&WV filed its appellate brief. On June 27, 2016, NSC and WLE filed their reply brief. On August 10, 2016, Power REIT and P&WV filed a reply brief at which point the appeal was fully briefed. As previously disclosed, On August 29, 2017, the appellate court rendered its ruling affirming the ruling from the lower court in its entirety. Power REIT has not included a loss contingency associated with the outcome of the case since it believes all expenses related to the litigation have been accounted for in the financial statements contained herein. Power REIT and P&WV retained the firm of Keker & Van Nest LLP as lead counsel related to the appeal.

 

P&WV has provided key court filings in the litigation on its website (www.pwreit.com) under a tab called “P&WV Litigation Update” which is under the “Investor Relations” tab. The provided documents and accompanying supporting documents are not comprehensive or complete and the full case docket is available from the Public Access to Court Records (PACER) website. Power REIT encourages interested parties to review all the public filings available on PACER and to review the risks and disclosures in Power REIT’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-k and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

During the yeartwelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, P&WV incurred no litigation related expenses of approximately $130,000 and $483,000, respectively.expenses. As of December 31, 2017,2019, P&WV had incurred a total of approximately $3.68 million of cumulative expenses related to the litigation. P&WV believed that the costs associated with the litigation are reimbursable by NSC under the Railroad Lease as additional rent, but the court ruled against it and the appellate court upheld this ruling.

 

As of the date of this filing, NSC has continued to make its quarterly base rental payments ($228,750 per quarter). However, there canBased on the outcome of the litigation, the indebtedness described above that P&WV has accrued is deemed uncollectable and will be no assurancewritten off for tax purposes (it has not been reflected on P&WV’s financial statements which are consolidated into Power REIT’s financial statements). The indebtedness will be tracked by P&WV on an annual basis since, based on the outcome of the litigation, it effectively serves as a termination fee that NSC will continueis due upon termination of the lease for any purpose including default or failure to make its base rental payments.renew.

 

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