UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
Form
10-Q
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT
OF 1934
For
the
quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT
PURSUANT
TO S
ECTION
13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
transition period from ______________
to
______________
Commission
File No.
001-32918
GLOBAL
ENERGY HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
|
|
84-1169517
|
(State
or Other Jurisdiction of
|
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
|
Incorporation
or Organization)
|
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
|
|
3348
Peachtree Road NE
Tower
Place Building 200, Suite 250
Atlanta,
Georgia
|
|
30326
|
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
|
|
(Zip
Code)
|
(404)
814-2500
(Registrant’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Xethanol
Corporation
(Former
Name, Former Address and Formal Fiscal Year, If Changed Since Last
Report)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days.
x
Yes
o
No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer
o
|
Accelerated
filer
o
|
|
|
Non-accelerated
filer
o
(Do
not check if a smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company
x
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o
Yes
x
No
The
number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock on November 13,
2008 was 29,070,103.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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|
|
PAGE
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|
NOTE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
3
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PART
I
–
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM
2.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
17
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|
|
|
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|
ITEM
3.
|
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
|
26
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|
|
|
|
|
ITEM
4T.
|
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
|
26
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|
|
|
|
PART
II – OTHER INFORMATION
|
27
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|
|
|
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|
ITEM
1.
|
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
|
27
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|
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|
ITEM
1A.
|
RISK
FACTORS
|
28
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|
ITEM
2.
|
UNREGISTERED
SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
|
28
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|
|
|
ITEM
3.
|
DEFAULTS
UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
|
28
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|
ITEM
4.
|
SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
|
28
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|
|
|
ITEM
5.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
28
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|
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|
ITEM
6.
|
EXHIBITS
|
29
|
NOTE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934. These statements relate to future economic performance, plans and
objectives of management for future operations and projections of revenues
and
other financial items that are based on the beliefs of our management, as well
as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management.
The
words
“may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “future,”
“intend,” “could,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or the
negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. We make forward-looking statements in the Notes
to
our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report and
in
Item 2 of this report. Some of the forward-looking statements relate to our
intent, belief or expectation regarding our strategies and plans, including
the
following:
|
·
|
development
of an alternative and renewable energy division and a demonstration
plant
in Florida for converting citrus peel waste into ethanol;
|
|
·
|
our
investments in strategically relevant, early stage energy companies;
|
|
·
|
our
investment in and exclusive license with New Generation Biofuels
Holdings,
Inc.;
|
|
·
|
the
current unavailability of a substantial portion of our working capital
due
to the inability of The Reserve U.S. Government Fund to process our
redemption requests;
|
|
·
|
the
possible sale of one or more of our properties; and
|
|
·
|
the
ways we may finance our future development and investment activities.
|
Other
forward-looking statements relate to trends affecting our financial condition
and results of operations, our anticipated capital needs and expenditures,
and
how we may address these needs.
These
statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including industry
and
economic conditions, competition and other factors discussed in this report
and
our other filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from those that are anticipated in the
forward-looking statements. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report
on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for a description of some of
the
important factors that may affect actual outcomes.
For
these
forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. The cautionary statements made in this report are intended to
be
applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they may appear
in
this report. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. All subsequent
written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person
acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary
statements contained or referred to in this section. We undertake no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
PART
I - Financial Information
Item
1.
Financial
Statements.
Global
Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(in
thousands, except share data)
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
December
31, 2007
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
3,403
|
|
$
|
12,322
|
|
Short-term
marketable securities
|
|
|
3,153
|
|
|
-
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
564
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
294
|
|
Other
current assets
|
|
|
755
|
|
|
879
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
7,424
|
|
|
14,059
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
3,963
|
|
|
4,316
|
|
Property
held for development
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
554
|
|
Property
previously held for development
|
|
|
5,416
|
|
|
5,416
|
|
Investment
in and advances to New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
647
|
|
Research
and license agreements, net of amortization of $409 in
2007
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
623
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
1,169
|
|
|
403
|
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
|
$
|
17,972
|
|
$
|
26,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
2,184
|
|
$
|
3,221
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
2,184
|
|
|
3,221
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
payable
|
|
|
283
|
|
|
295
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
116
|
|
Capitalized
lease obligation
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
14
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
2,591
|
|
|
3,646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares
issued and
outstanding
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,609,103
shares
issued and outstanding in 2008 and 2007,
respectively
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
29
|
|
Additional
paid-in-capital
|
|
|
89,277
|
|
|
89,171
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(73,925
|
)
|
|
(66,828
|
)
|
Total
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
15,381
|
|
|
22,372
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
$
|
17,972
|
|
$
|
26,018
|
|
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
Global
Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands, except per share data)
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
$
|
2,744
|
|
$
|
3,721
|
|
$
|
8,432
|
|
Cost
of sales, including depreciation of $346 and $338 for nine months
ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007 and $116 and $113 for three months ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007
|
|
|
306
|
|
|
3,255
|
|
|
5,077
|
|
|
9,512
|
|
Gross
loss
|
|
|
(285
|
)
|
|
(511
|
)
|
|
(1,356
|
)
|
|
(1,080
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
2,505
|
|
|
2,245
|
|
|
6,197
|
|
|
7,220
|
|
Equity
compensation
|
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
761
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
3,353
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
59
|
|
Impairment
losses on property held for development and research and license
agreements
|
|
|
972
|
|
|
522
|
|
|
972
|
|
|
3,356
|
|
Research
and development
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
235
|
|
|
678
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
3,492
|
|
|
3,766
|
|
|
7,565
|
|
|
14,666
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from operations before other income (expense)
|
|
|
(3,777
|
)
|
|
(4,277
|
)
|
|
(8,921
|
)
|
|
(15,746
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
170
|
|
|
619
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
(42
|
)
|
Loss
on marketable securities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1,589
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1,589
|
)
|
Gain
on sale of grain inventory
|
|
|
177
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
-
|
|
Gain
on sale of stock in New Generation Biofuels Holdings,
Inc.
|
154
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,978
|
|
|
-
|
|
Loss
on equity of New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
(201
|
)
|
|
(265
|
)
|
|
(618
|
)
|
|
(1,316
|
)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
5
|
|
Total
other income (expense)
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
(1,617
|
)
|
|
1,824
|
|
|
(2,323
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(3,606
|
)
|
$
|
(5,894
|
)
|
$
|
(7,097
|
)
|
$
|
(18,069
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted net loss per share
|
|
$
|
(0.13
|
)
|
$
|
(0.21
|
)
|
$
|
(0.25
|
)
|
$
|
(0.63
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding
|
|
|
28,609,103
|
|
|
28,609,103
|
|
|
28,609,103
|
|
|
28,587,465
|
|
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
Global
Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
Consolidated
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands)
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
Additional
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Paid-in-Capital
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
28,609
|
|
$
|
29
|
|
$
|
89,171
|
|
$
|
(66,828
|
)
|
$
|
22,372
|
|
Options
granted under 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
Compensation Plan
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
106
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(7,097
|
)
|
|
(7,097
|
)
|
Balance
at September 30. 2008
|
|
|
28,609
|
|
$
|
29
|
|
$
|
89,277
|
|
$
|
(73,925
|
)
|
$
|
15,381
|
|
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
Global
Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands)
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(7,097
|
)
|
$
|
(18,069
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
596
|
|
|
593
|
|
Issuance
of common stock, stock options and warrants for services
rendered
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
3,353
|
|
Gain
on sale of Stock in New Generation Biofuels Holdings,
Inc.
|
|
|
(1,978
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Loss
on marketable securities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,589
|
|
Loss
on equity of New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
618
|
|
|
1,316
|
|
Impairment
losses on property held for development and research and license
agreements
|
|
|
972
|
|
|
3,356
|
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
564
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
181
|
|
|
43
|
|
Other
assets and liabilities
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
191
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
(1,037
|
)
|
|
434
|
|
Accounts
payable-related parties
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(301
|
)
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(6,811
|
)
|
|
(7,525
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
(1,511
|
)
|
Purchase
of property held for development
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(328
|
)
|
Investment
in Carbon Motors Corp.
|
|
|
(250
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Investment
in note receivable Consus Ethanol, LLC
|
|
|
(500
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Investment
in marketable securities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(38,100
|
)
|
Redemption
of marketable securities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
36,510
|
|
Reclassification
from cash and cash equivalents to short-term marketable
securities
|
|
|
(3,153
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Cash
received from sales of investment in New Generation Biofuels
Holdings,
Inc.
|
|
|
1,853
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
|
(3,429
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
received for common stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
224
|
|
Payment
of note payable
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
Payment
of capitalized lease obligation
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
Net
cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(8,919
|
)
|
|
(10,748
|
)
|
Cash
and cash equivalents - beginning of period
|
|
|
12,322
|
|
|
24,183
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents - end of period
|
|
$
|
3,403
|
|
$
|
13,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
Disclosures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$
|
40
|
|
$
|
42
|
|
Income
taxes paid
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
112
|
|
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
Global
Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September
30, 2008
NOTE
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Global
Energy Holdings Group, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly named Xethanol
Corporation, is a diversified renewable energy company based in Atlanta,
Georgia, with two divisions. Global Energy Systems, Inc. is developing renewable
energy projects, including biomass gasification and landfill-gas-to-energy
projects. Global Energy Systems also is coordinating and implementing utility
energy service projects, such as cogeneration and heat recovery, for
organizations that include government agencies and the U.S. military. Global
Energy Ventures invests in strategically relevant, early stage energy companies.
The Company will need substantial additional capital to pursue its plans, and
given the current economic climate, the Company can give no assurance that
it
will be able to raise the additional capital it needs on commercially acceptable
terms, or at all.
The
Company’s properties or investments currently include: a former pharmaceutical
plant in Augusta, Georgia and a former fiberboard manufacturing facility in
Spring Hope, North Carolina, both of which the Company is seeking to sell;
a
plant in Blairstown, Iowa that until May 1, 2008 produced ethanol from corn;
a
demonstration plant in Florida for converting citrus peel waste into ethanol
that is in the development phase; bioseparation and bio-fermentation
technologies, along with strategic relationships with government and university
research labs; and minority investments in other renewable energy or clean
tech
businesses. The Company’s only source of revenue has been from its sales of
ethanol and related products at its Blairstown corn-based plant. As a result
of
the continued high prices for corn and natural gas, the Company indefinitely
ceased production of ethanol at the Blairstown plant on May 1, 2008 to reduce
its operating losses.
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements and related footnotes should
be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
footnotes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) on March 31, 2008.
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the SEC related to interim statements. The financial
information contained herein is unaudited; however, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial
information have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring
nature. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for
the
full year. The balance sheet presented as of December 31, 2007 is derived from
audited financial statements. Certain prior period research and development
amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period
presentation.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities. Significant estimates include the valuation of shares issued
for services or in connection with acquisitions and the valuation of
investments, property and equipment and intangibles and their estimated useful
lives. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results
could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or
conditions.
Cash,
Cash Equivalents and Short-term Marketable Securities
The
Company’s cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit,
including money market accounts and funds that invest in debt instruments of
the
U.S. government and its agencies. All investments with stated maturities of
three months or less from the date of purchase are classified as cash
equivalents.
Approximately
$5,391,000 of the Company’s cash as of
September 30, 2008 was held in The Reserve U.S. Government Fund (a money market
fund), which was unable to process redemption requests from September 2008
until
November 13, 2008. The Reserve announced on November 13, 2008 that
it
had
begun the initial distribution of $4.5 billion, or approximately 40% of the
total assets of the fund, to shareholders on a pro rata basis. The Reserve
further stated that approximately $6 billion in total assets remain in the
fund,
and that it would “make additional distributions as more cash becomes available
either through sales at amortized cost (no loss being realized) or maturity.”
The
Company received its initial pro rata distribution of $2,238,000 on November
14,
2008. Further, the Company expects to be able to access the remaining $3,153,000
of its funds at no loss in the relatively near future, but the Company can
provide no assurances in that regard. The Company has reclassified $3,153,000
of
its assets in the fund from cash and cash equivalents to short-term marketable
securities on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2008 because
the
investment in the fund no longer meets the definition of a cash equivalent.
In
addition, the Company reflected the effect of that reclassification on the
consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended September
30,
2008 as reclassification from cash equivalents to short-term marketable
securities.
Loss
per Common Share
Loss
per
share is computed based on weighted average number of common shares outstanding
and excludes any potential dilution. Diluted loss per share reflects the
potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue
common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the
issuance of common stock, which would then share in the earnings of the Company.
The shares issuable on the exercise of stock options and warrants are excluded
from the calculation of net loss per share, as their effect would be
anti-dilutive.
During
the periods presented, the Company had securities outstanding that could
potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were excluded
from the computation of diluted loss per share, as their effect would have
been
anti-dilutive. The anti-dilutive securities are as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
Balance
at September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Employee
stock options
|
|
|
5,320
|
|
|
5,245
|
|
Series
A Warrants
|
|
|
2,124
|
|
|
2,124
|
|
Series
B Warrants
|
|
|
759
|
|
|
759
|
|
Other
Warrants
|
|
|
1,213
|
|
|
1,342
|
|
|
|
|
9,416
|
|
|
9,470
|
|
Recently
Issued Accounting Standards
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements
(“SFAS 157”), which clarifies that fair value is the amount that would be
exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants. Further, the standard establishes a framework
for
measuring fair value in GAAP and expands certain disclosures about fair value
investments. SFAS 157 became effective for financial assets and liabilities
on
January 1, 2008. This standard has not materially affected how the Company
determines fair value during 2008. The FASB has deferred the implementation
of
the provisions of SFAS 157 relating to certain nonfinancial assets and
liabilities until January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating whether this
standard will affect the Company’s determination of fair value in
2009.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141R, Business Combinations (“SFAS
141R”). SFAS 141R broadens the guidance of SFAS 141, extending its applicability
to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over
one or more other businesses. It broadens the fair value measurement and
recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and interests transferred
as a result of business combinations. SFAS 141R stipulates that acquisition
related costs be expensed rather than included as part of the basis of the
acquisition. SFAS 141R expands required disclosures to improve the ability
to
evaluate the nature and financial effects of business combinations. SFAS 141R
is
effective for all transactions entered into on or after January 1, 2009. The
adoption of this standard on January 1, 2009 could materially impact the
Company’s future financial results to the
extent
that the Company makes significant
acquisitions, as related acquisition costs will be expensed as incurred,
compared to the Company’s current practice of capitalizing those costs and
amortizing them over the estimated useful life of the assets acquired.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 160 will require
noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to
be
treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability or other item
outside of permanent equity. SFAS No. 160 is effective for periods beginning
on
or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this statement will result in
minority interest currently classified in the “mezzanine” section of the balance
sheet to be reclassified as a component of stockholders’ equity, and minority
interest expense will no longer be recorded in the consolidated statement of
operations.
In
March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments
and
Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 161”). The new standard is intended to improve
financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by
requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their
effects on an entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
and
interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect
this standard to have a material impact on its financial position, results
of
operations or cash flows.
In
May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of
accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in
the
preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP.
SFAS 162 will become effective on November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect
the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material impact on its financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE
2. INVENTORIES
Raw
materials are carried at average cost. Work in process is based on the amount
of
average product costs currently in the production pipeline. Finished goods
are
carried at the lower of cost using the average cost method or market.
Inventories
consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
30,
2008
|
|
December
31,
2007
|
|
Raw
materials
|
|
$
|
93
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
Work
in process
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
109
|
|
Finished
goods
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
$
|
113
|
|
$
|
294
|
|
NOTE
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, PROPERTY HELD FOR DEVELOPMENT, PROPERTY PREVIOUSLY
HELD FOR DEVELOPMENT AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Property
and equipment at the Company’s plant in Blairstown, Iowa, consists of the
following (in thousands):
|
|
September
30,
2008
|
|
December
31,
2007
|
|
Land
|
|
$
|
28
|
|
$
|
28
|
|
Buildings
|
|
|
732
|
|
|
732
|
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
|
|
3,912
|
|
|
3,906
|
|
Land
improvements
|
|
|
569
|
|
|
569
|
|
|
|
|
5,241
|
|
|
5,235
|
|
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1,472
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,769
|
|
$
|
4,110
|
|
Property
and equipment at the Company’s corporate office consists of the following (in
thousands):
|
|
September
30,
2008
|
|
December
31,
2007
|
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
|
$
|
293
|
|
$
|
259
|
|
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
$
|
194
|
|
$
|
206
|
|
Property
held for development consists of the following fixed assets (in
thousands):
|
|
September
30,
2008
|
|
December
31,
2007
|
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
554
|
|
Property
held for development consisted of machinery and equipment purchased in
connection with the proposed demonstration plant in Bartow, Florida. The Company
recorded an impairment charge of $554,000 on these assets at September 30,
2008.
Property
previously held for development consists of the following fixed assets (in
thousands):
|
|
September
30,
2008
|
|
December
31,
2007
|
|
Land
|
|
$
|
1,709
|
|
$
|
1,709
|
|
Buildings
|
|
|
1,817
|
|
|
1,817
|
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
|
|
1,890
|
|
|
1,890
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,416
|
|
$
|
5,416
|
|
The
Company has reevaluated its facility in Augusta, Georgia and has decided that
the facility does not fit within its long-term corporate strategy. The Company’s
board of directors has decided to seek a buyer for the facility. The Company
can
offer no assurances regarding how long it would take to sell the facility or
the
price the Company might receive. The carrying value of this property at
September 30, 2008 and at December 31, 2007, after an impairment charge of
$2.1
million in 2007, is $3.5 million.
The
Company has reevaluated its facility in Spring Hope, North Carolina and has
determined that the facility does not fit within its long-term corporate
strategy. The Company’s board of directors has decided to seek a buyer for the
facility. Before the Company sells the property (or as a term of its sale),
the
Company expects that it will have to resolve certain liens on the property
filed
by companies that performed, or have claimed to have performed, environmental
remediation and demolition work on the property. The Company has accrued
$500,000 to settle claims and $450,000
for
environmental clean-up at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The Company
has not completed an environmental study or remediation. These estimates may
require adjustment. The Company can offer no assurances regarding how long
it
would take to sell the facility or the price the Company might receive. The
carrying value of this property at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
after an impairment charge of $7.0 million in 2007, is $856,000.
The
Company has determined to defer indefinitely its expansion project at its second
ethanol site at Blairstown and is currently evaluating several alternatives
in
which to dispose of or use the property. The carrying value of this property
at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, after an impairment charge of $2.6
million in 2007, is $1,060,000.
The
Company recorded an impairment charge of $418,000 on its intangible assets
at
September 30, 2008.
NOTE
4. OTHER INVESTMENTS
In
January 2008, the Company invested $250,000 in Carbon Motors Corporation, a
development stage American automaker developing a specially-built law
enforcement vehicle featuring a clean diesel engine that can run on biodiesel
fuel. For its investment, the Company received a warrant that is initially
exercisable for 30,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price of $1.05
per share with a term of five years. This amount is included in other assets
in
the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008.
In
January 2008, the Company made a $500,000 investment in Consus Ethanol, LLC
of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a development stage company, pursuant to a convertible
promissory note. Consus Ethanol has a permitted site in western Pennsylvania,
where it plans to build the first of several ethanol plants. Its business model
calls for a cogeneration plant using waste coal to power the companion ethanol
plant. The note bears interest at the rate of 10% per annum and had an initial
term of six months.
During
July 2008, the Company and Consus agreed to extend the note an additional six
months through December 31, 2008. The Company may also convert the outstanding
principal and accrued interest to shares of common stock by providing 30 days
written notice to Consus before the maturity date or in the event Consus
proposes to enter into certain transactions.
The
Company recorded interest income of $13,000 and $36,000 on the note for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. Northeast Securities, Inc.
is a
financial advisor to Consus Ethanol; the chairman of the Company’s board of
directors was also vice chairman of Northeast Securities until September 2008.
The Company’s investment in Consus is included in other assets in the
consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008.
NOTE
5. INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The
Company’s 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) provides for grants of
stock options, stock appreciation rights or SARs, restricted or deferred stock,
other stock-related awards and performance awards that may be settled in cash,
stock or other property. On February 12, 2008, at the conclusion of the
Company’s annual meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to
the Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance
under the Plan from 4,000,000 to 6,500,000, which covered all of the options
previously granted subject to stockholder approval. Persons eligible to receive
awards under the Plan are the officers, directors, employees and consultants
to
the Company and its subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2008, 317,070 shares
of
common stock and stock options to purchase 5,320,000 shares of common stock
were
outstanding under the Plan, and a total of 862,930 shares were available for
future awards under the Plan.
No
options were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2008. Options
to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock expired during the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2008. During the nine months ended September 30,
2008, options to purchase 275,000 shares of common stock were granted to
directors. An option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock was forfeited
during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The Company recorded net
compensation expense for outstanding stock options of $349,000 and $523,000
for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.
The
weighted average fair value of stock options is estimated at the grant date
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
Nine
months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Exercise
price
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$0.42
|
|
|
$2.70
|
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2.36
|
%
|
|
4.84
|
%
|
Expected
life of options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
10.00
|
|
|
9.73
|
|
Expected
dividend yield
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
0
|
%
|
Expected
volatility
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
55.0
|
%
|
|
55.0
|
%
|
NOTE
6. WARRANTS
The
Company issued no warrants during the three and nine months ended September
30,
2008. The Company recorded no compensation expense for outstanding warrants
for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. Warrants to purchase 0
and
35,312 shares of common stock expired during the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008, respectively. At September 30, 2008, warrants to purchase
4,095,834 shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average
exercise price of $5.80.
NOTE
7. INVESTMENT IN NEW GENERATION BIOFUELS HOLDINGS, INC. (FORMERLY H2DIESEL
HOLDINGS, INC.)
The
Company considers its investment in New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc.
(“New
Generation Biofuels”), formerly named H2Diesel Holdings, Inc., as a variable
interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”). New Generation Biofuels is the
licensee of a proprietary vegetable oil-based diesel biofuel to be used as
a
substitute for conventional petroleum diesel and biodiesel, heating and other
fuels under an exclusive license agreement with the inventor of the biofuel.
New
Generation Biofuels has in turn sublicensed this technology to the Company.
Because the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the Company
has
accounted for its investment in New Generation Biofuels utilizing the equity
method of accounting pursuant to
Accounting
Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 18
,
The
Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock
.
At
September 30, 2008, the Company owned 5,453,000 shares of New Generation
Biofuels common stock, which represented 28.9% of the outstanding common stock
of New Generation Biofuels. New Generation Biofuels is currently a development
stage company that has not yet generated any revenues. In February 2008, the
Company sold 180,000 shares of New Generation Biofuels common stock for net
proceeds of approximately $777,000. In June 2008, the Company sold 180,000
shares of New Generation Biofuels common stock for net proceeds of approximately
$1.1 million. In September 2008, the Company sold 37,000 shares for net proceeds
of $154,000. The Company has recorded gains on the sales of New Generation
Biofuels’ common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 of
$154,000 and $2.0 million, respectively. The Company is evaluating whether
or
not to pursue the manufacture and sale of a diesel biofuel under its exclusive
license with New Generation Biofuels.
New
Generation Biofuels is a development stage company with no revenues. According
to its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008
filed with the SEC: New Generation Biofuels has incurred a net loss of $21.4
million and negative cash flows from operating activities of $9.8 million since
its inception. New Generation Biofuels is obligated to pay $6 million to the
inventor of the biofuel, of which $1 million is due in February 2009. These
matters raise substantial doubt about New Generation Biofuels’ ability to
continue as a going concern. New Generation Biofuels’ continued existence beyond
2008 is dependent upon several factors, including obtaining additional debt
or
equity financing, producing biofuel, developing a market for its biofuel, and
achieving certain levels of sales volume and profitability from the sale of
its
biofuel and sublicenses of its technology. If New Generation Biofuels fails
to
make the license payments to the inventor as required, the Company could lose
its entire investment in New Generation Biofuels as well as its sublicense
of
the technology.
NOTE
8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The
Company is a party to the Jacoby Energy Development lawsuit as described below.
The class action lawsuit described below was settled on October 6, 2008. An
adverse result in the Jacoby Energy Development lawsuit could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Class
Action Lawsuit
.
In
October 2006, a shareholder class action complaint was filed in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, purportedly brought
on behalf of all purchasers of the Company’s common stock during the period
January 31, 2006 through August 8, 2006. The complaint alleged, among other
things, that the Company and some of its former officers and directors made
materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s operations,
management and internal controls in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5. The individual defendants were
Lawrence S. Bellone, a former director, Executive Vice President, Corporate
Development, principal accounting officer and Chief Financial Officer;
Christopher d’Arnaud-Taylor, a former director, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer; and Jeffrey S. Langberg, a former director. The plaintiffs
sought, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages and reasonable
costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees.
Six
nearly identical class action complaints were
thereafter filed in the same court, all of which were later consolidated
into
one action, In re Xethanol Corporation Securities Litigation, 06 Civ. 10234
(HB)
(S.D.N.Y.). The plaintiffs filed their amended consolidated complaint on
March
23, 2007. On November 28, 2007, the defendants, including the Company, reached
an agreement in principle with the plaintiffs’ lead counsel to settle the class
action. On October 6, 2008, the District Court Judge dismissed the class
action
with prejudice. In connection with the settlement, the plaintiffs received
$2.8
million, of which the Company paid $400,000 and the Company’s insurance carriers
paid $2.4 million. In addition, the Company’s insurance carriers paid $300,000
in legal costs.
Jacoby
Energy Development, Inc. Lawsuit
.
On July 28, 2008, Jacoby Energy Development, Inc. (“JEDI”), Geoplasma, LLC and
Georecover-Live Oak, LLC filed an action in the Superior Court of Fulton County
of the State of Georgia (File No. 2008CV154224) against the Company, its
subsidiary Global Energy Systems, Inc. (“GES”), and six current officers and
employees. The six individual defendants are Romilos Papadopoulos, the
Company’s Chief Operating Offer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice
President and Secretary; Michael Ellis, President of GES; and four other
employees of GES. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the
Company breached a mutual nondisclosure agreement related to previous
negotiations for a possible merger between the Company and JEDI and its
affiliates. The plaintiffs allege that the Company breached the agreement
by soliciting and hiring the six individual defendants, who were previously
employed by the plaintiffs, and by using the plaintiffs’ confidential and
proprietary information for its own business purposes. The plaintiffs also
allege that the Company tortuously interfered with the plaintiffs’ business and
misappropriated the plaintiffs’ trade secrets. The plaintiffs seek, among
other things, a permanent injunction, unspecified compensatory damages plus
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the litigation, including
attorneys’ fees, and general and punitive damages in an amount not less than $10
million. The parties agreed to suspend the litigation while they attempt to
come
to a business resolution of the issues.
On
October 17, 2008, at the request of the parties, the Superior Court entered
a
consent order to stay further proceedings in the litigation until November
14,
2008 and, if the parties do not settle the case by that date, to extend the
time
within which the defendants are required to file an answer and respond to
discovery until November 21, 2008 and December 5, 2008, respectively. As of
the
date of this report, the parties have not yet reached a settlement agreement
but
are continuing their discussions.
NOTE
9. CONTINGENCIES
The
Company has entered into several letters of intent for energy-related projects
under which it has paid a total of $650,000 in good faith deposits that it
may
lose if the Company does not acquire the projects as planned. The projects
require the Company to obtain debt and equity financing, which is difficult
in
the current credit and business environment.
NOTE
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Compensation
Awards
In
October 2008, the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors
adopted several compensation arrangements for the Company’s current executive
officers, who are:
Name
|
Title
|
|
|
David
Ames
|
Chief
Executive Officer and President
|
|
|
Romilos
Papadopoulos
|
Chief
Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President
and
Secretary
|
|
|
Michael
Ellis
|
President
of Global Energy Systems, Inc.
|
On
October 7, 2008, the compensation committee approved an increase in annual
salary for Mr. Ames from $1 to $350,000, effective October 1, 2008, and awarded
a $150,000 cash bonus for his past service. The Company has accrued this bonus
at September 30, 2008.
On
October 9, 2008, the compensation committee
granted to the Company’s executive officers and other key members of management
shares of restricted stock and non-qualified stock options under the Company’s
2005
Incentive
Compensation Plan. In connection with the grants of shares of restricted stock
and stock options under the Plan, the Company entered into a restricted stock
agreement and a stock option agreement with each of the recipients. The
committee granted to our executive officers a total of 305,000 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase a total of 555,000 shares at a purchase
price per share equal to the closing price of the common stock on the American
Stock Exchange on the date of grant (which was $0.19 per share), as detailed
in
the following table. In total, the committee granted to officers and employees
a
total of 461,000 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase a total
of
839,000 shares at a purchase price of $0.19 per share. Under the terms of the
respective agreements, the restricted stock and the stock options have a 7-year
term and will vest or expire or be forfeited at earlier dates based on the
Company’s stock price as explained in more detail below.
Name
|
|
Restricted
Stock
|
|
Options
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
Ames
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
240,000
|
|
|
370,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Romilos
Papadopoulos
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
175,000
|
|
|
270,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Ellis
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
140,000
|
|
|
220,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
305,000
|
|
|
555,000
|
|
|
860,000
|
|
Under
the
terms of the respective agreements, all unvested shares of the restricted stock
will be forfeited immediately if the recipient’s employment is terminated for
any reason, and all unexercised stock options will be terminated immediately
if
the recipient’s employment is terminated for “Cause.” “Cause” means (1) the
failure by the officer to perform, in a reasonable manner, his or her duties
as
assigned by us, (2) any violation or breach by the officer of his or her
employment, consulting or other similar agreement with us, if any, (3) any
violation or breach by the officer of any non-competition, non-solicitation,
non-disclosure and/or other similar agreement with the us, (4) any act by the
officer of dishonesty or bad faith with respect to us, (5) use of alcohol,
drugs
or other similar substances in a manner that adversely affects the officer’s
work performance, or (6) the commission by the officer of any act, misdemeanor,
or crime reflecting unfavorably upon the officer or us. If the recipient’s
employment is terminated for any other reason (including retirement and
disability), all vested but unexercised stock options will expire 90 days after
the termination or longer, as described in the option agreement. In addition,
each restricted stock and stock option award will vest as to the number of
shares specified below upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions, subject
to
earlier forfeiture or termination as described below:
|
·
|
One-half
of the restricted stock and the stock option will vest if the closing
price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NYSE Alternext US
equals or exceeds $1.50 per share for ten consecutive trading days
(the
“Initial Threshold Price”) on or before October 9, 2011;
provided that if the Initial Threshold Price is not achieved on or
before
October 9, 2011, all of the restricted stock and the stock
option shall be forfeited and
terminated.
|
|
·
|
If
and only if the Initial Threshold Price is achieved on or before
October 9, 2011, an additional one-fourth of the restricted
stock and the stock option will vest if the closing price of the
Company’s
common stock as reported on the NYSE Alternext US equals or exceeds
$2.00
per share for ten consecutive trading days on or before
October 9, 2015.
|
|
·
|
If
and only if the Initial Threshold Price is achieved on or before
October 9, 2011, an additional one-fourth of the restricted
stock and the stock option will vest if the closing price of the
Company’s
common stock as reported on the NYSE Alternext US equals or exceeds
$2.50
per share for ten consecutive trading days on or before
October 9, 2015.
|
Sales
of Shares in New Generation Biofuels
In
October 2008, the Company sold 151,000 shares of New Generation Biofuels for
net
proceeds of $384,000.
Distribution
from The Reserve U.S. Government Fund
On
November 14, 2008, the Company received a total of $2,238,000 in distributions
from The Reserve U.S. Government Fund, which had previously been unable to
honor
redemption requests since September 2008.
Item
2.
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
Safe
Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995
.
The
statements in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and
other factors, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many
of
which are beyond our control that may cause our actual results, performance
or
achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance
or
achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. These
risks are detailed in (a) Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report
on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007; (b) Part II, Item 1A, Risk
Factors, in this report; and (c) our other SEC filings. Please also see the
cautionary statements included in the Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
at the beginning of this report.
Overview
Change
in Name and New Corporate Structure
On
October 27, 2008, we changed our name to Global Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
from
Xethanol Corporation. We are a diversified renewable energy company based in
Atlanta, Georgia, with two divisions. Global Energy Systems, Inc. is developing
renewable energy projects, including biomass gasification and
landfill-gas-to-energy projects. Global Energy Systems is also coordinating
and
implementing utility energy service projects, such as cogeneration and heat
recovery, for organizations that include government agencies and the U.S.
military. Global Energy Ventures invests in strategically relevant, early stage
energy companies.
Source
of Revenue until May 1, 2008
Our
only
source of revenue has been from our sales of ethanol and related products at
our
corn-based plant in Blairstown, Iowa. As a result of the continued high prices
for corn and natural gas, on May 1, 2008 we indefinitely ceased production
of
ethanol at our Blairstown plant to reduce our operating losses. We currently
have essentially no sources of revenue.
Cash
and Liquidity Position
We
had
cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of approximately
$6.6 million as of September 30, 2008, a
pproximately
$5,391,000 of which was held in The Reserve U.S. Government Fund (a money market
fund), which was unable to process redemption requests from September 2008
until
November 13, 2008. The Reserve announced on November 13, 2008 that
it
had
begun the initial distribution of $4.5 billion, or approximately 40% of the
total assets of the fund, to shareholders on a pro rata basis. The Reserve
further stated that approximately $6 billion in total assets remain in the
fund,
and that it would “make additional distributions as more cash becomes available
either through sales at amortized cost (no loss being realized) or maturity.”
We
received our initial pro rata distribution of $2,238,000 on November 14, 2008.
Further, we expect to be able to access the remaining approximately $3,153,000
of our funds at no loss in the relatively near future, but we can provide no
assurances in that regard.
In
light
of the foregoing, w
e
reclassified $3,153,000 of our assets in the fund from cash and cash equivalents
to short-term marketable securities on the consolidated balance sheets at
September 30, 2008 because the investment in the fund no longer meets the
definition of a cash equivalent. In addition, we reflected the effect of that
reclassification on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three
months ended September 30, 2008 as reclassification from cash equivalents to
short-term marketable securities.
Possible
Asset Sales
We
have
reevaluated our Augusta, Georgia and Spring Hope, North Carolina facilities
and
have decided that they do not fit within our long-term corporate strategy.
On
March 20, 2008, our board authorized management to pursue the sale of each
facility.
We
are
also considering the sale of our facilities in Blairstown, Iowa. We can offer
no
assurances regarding how long it will take to sell the facilities or the price
we might receive.
We
currently plan to sell some of our stock in New Generation Biofuels Holdings,
Inc. (formerly named H2Diesel Holdings, Inc.) from time to time to raise
capital. We note that the closing trading price of that stock has recently
fallen below $2.00 per share, which is considerably lower than the sales prices
we achieved earlier this year. In the interim, while we still hold these real
estate and stock assets, we are also seeking to obtain a credit facility secured
by these assets.
Investing
Activities
For
the
nine months ended September 30, 2008, net cash of $2.1 million was used in
connection with investing activities. During the first nine months of 2008,
we
made a $500,000 convertible loan to Consus Ethanol, LLC, invested $250,000
in
Carbon Motors Corporation and purchased property and equipment for $40,000.
At
September 30, 2008, we reclassified cash and cash equivalents of $3,153,000
to
short-term marketable securities, resulting in a use of cash. Also during the
first nine months of 2008, we sold 397,000 shares of the common stock of New
Generation Biofuels for $2,007,000, of which we received $1,853,000 in cash
during the period and another $154,000 after September 30, 2008. At September
30, 2008, we held 5,453,000 shares of common stock in New Generation Biofuels,
which represented approximately 28.9% of its outstanding common stock. We
currently hold 5,301,000 shares of common stock in New Generation Biofuels,
which represents approximately 28.1% of its outstanding common
stock.
Anticipated
Funding Needs
During
June 2008, we formed a new operating division, Global Energy Systems, Inc.
(GES), as noted above. We plan to use a portion of our current cash to provide
working capital for GES while we analyze and pursue options to finance projects
that GES initiates. We will also use cash on hand to fund corporate overhead
as
well as research and development. GES generated no revenues during the nine
months ended September 30, 2008.
We
will
need substantial additional capital to pursue our plans, and given the current
economic climate, we can give no assurance that we will be able to raise the
additional capital we need on commercially acceptable terms, or at
all.
We
are
continuing to evaluate an opportunity to build a demonstration plant for
converting citrus peel waste into ethanol. The estimated cost for the two-year
build-out of the demonstration plant is approximately $6 million. On January
22,
2008, the
Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
approved
a $500,000 grant for this purpose. We are investigating various sources of
funding including government grants.
We
anticipate significant capital expenditures and investments over the next 12
months and longer related to our business as described above. We are also
evaluating whether or not to pursue the manufacture and sale of a diesel biofuel
under our exclusive license with New Generation Biofuels.
Possible
Effects of Current Business Climate
The
current “credit crunch” has affected or may affect us in several ways. As noted
above, a substantial portion of our current assets is currently unavailable
to
us due to problems at a money market fund that holds a substantial part of
our
current assets. We face difficulties in obtaining the necessary debt and equity
capital we need to pursue our business plan, which requires a significant amount
of capital. The difficult credit environment may also affect our plans to sell
one or more of our facilities to the extent that purchasers need to finance
the
purchase of those facilities with borrowings. The recent bankruptcy filing
of
ethanol producer VeraSun Energy Corporation may also further depress the value
of ethanol plants like our Blairstown facilities, which we are considering
selling. The substantial and rapid decline in the price of oil may also affect
our business adversely, given that the business viability of, and political
support for, renewable energy has generally in the past been inversely
correlated with the price of oil. In summary, like many businesses in America,
we face a difficult and uncertain market.
Results
of Operations
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30,
2007
Net
Loss.
We
incurred a net loss of $3.6 million, or $.13 per share, for the three months
ended September 30, 2008 versus a net loss of $5.9 million, or $.21 per share,
for the prior year quarter. Included in the net loss for the three months ended
September 30, 2008 were non-cash charges totaling $1.3 million or 36% of our
net
loss for the quarter. Non-cash charges included:
|
·
|
$972,000
of impairment losses on property held for development and research
and
license agreements;
|
|
·
|
$201,000
in loss on equity of New Generation Biofuels;
and
|
|
·
|
$199,000
in depreciation and amortization
expense;
|
partially
offset by
|
·
|
an
$87,000 reversal of compensation expense related to stock compensation
net
of $19,000 of compensation expense related to options granted to
directors
under our 2005 Incentive Compensation
Plan.
|
The
$2.3
million decrease in net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2008
as
compared to the prior year quarter resulted primarily from:
|
·
|
a
$1.6 million decrease in loss on marketable
securities;
|
|
·
|
a
$829,000 decrease in equity compensation expenses;
and
|
|
·
|
a
$226,000 decrease in gross loss on sales at our Blairstown
plant;
|
partially
offset by
|
·
|
a
$450,000 increase in impairment losses on property held for development
and research and license agreements;
and
|
|
·
|
a
$260,000 increase in general and administrative
expenses.
|
Net
Sales.
Net
sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008 decreased to $21,000 from
$2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was
due to the cessation of ethanol production at our Blairstown plant, effective
May 1, 2008. In the same quarter of the prior year, our Blairstown plant sold
1.4 million gallons of ethanol at monthly prices ranging between $2.01 and
$2.09
per gallon, with an average price of $2.06 per gallon, and we sold $293,000
of
by-products.
Cost
of Sales.
Cost of
sales is comprised of direct materials, direct labor and factory overhead.
Included in factory overhead are energy costs, depreciation, and repairs and
maintenance. Cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was
$306,000 compared to $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30,
2007.
The decrease in cost of sales was due to the cessation of ethanol production
at
our Blairstown plant, effective May 1, 2008.
Gross
Loss.
Gross
loss for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was $285,000 versus a gross
loss of $511,000, or 19% of net sales, for the three months ended September
30,
2007. The decrease in gross loss is principally due to the cessation of ethanol
production at our Blairstown plant, effective May 1, 2008.
General
and Administrative Expenses.
General
and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $2.5 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2007, reflecting an increase of $300,000, or 14%. Included in
G&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was corporate
overhead of $2.3 million, an increase of $500,000 from $1.8 million in the
prior
year quarter.
The
primary components of 2008 G&A expenses were:
|
·
|
$835,000
for payroll expenses, which reflects the addition of our new management
team for GES, which joined us in June 2008, and a $150,000 bonus
to our
chief executive officer accrued for his past
service;
|
|
·
|
$578,000
for legal and accounting services;
|
|
·
|
$345,000
for travel and entertainment expenses;
and
|
|
·
|
$230,000
for consulting services
.
|
The
increase in G&A expenses in 2008 as compared to 2007 resulted primarily
from:
|
·
|
a
$473,000 increase in payroll expenses associated with the new GES
management team and a $150,000 bonus to our chief executive officer
accrued for his past service; and
|
|
·
|
a
$213,000 increase in travel and entertainment
expenses;
|
partially
offset by
|
·
|
a
$181,000 decrease in expenses of our CoastalXethanol subsidiary (which
owns our Augusta facility) resulting primarily from the termination
in
September 2007 of our joint venture with Coastal Energy Development,
Inc.
and cost saving procedures instituted by management;
and
|
|
·
|
a
$157,000 decrease in professional
fees.
|
Equity
Compensation.
Equity
compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was a reversal of
$68,000 compared to expense of $761,000 for the three months ended September
30,
2007. The overall decrease in equity compensation reflects:
|
·
|
an
$87,000 reversal of compensation expense for the three months ended
September 30, 2008 related to stock compensation under our 2005 Incentive
Compensation Plan, which represents a decrease of $668,000 from $581,000
in compensation expense related to stock options granted to employees
under our 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan in the prior year quarter;
and
|
|
·
|
$19,000
in compensation expense for the three months ended September 30,
2008
related to stock options granted to outside directors under the 2005
Incentive Compensation Plan, which represents a decrease of $161,000
from
$180,000 in compensation expense related to stock options granted
to
directors under our 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan in the prior
year
quarter.
|
Depreciation
and Amortization.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September
30,
2008 was $18,000 compared to $24,000 for the prior year quarter, representing
a
decrease of $6,000.
Impairment
Loss - Property Held for Development and Research and License
Agreements.
We
recorded impairment losses of $972,000 during the three months ended September
30, 2008 consisting of a $554,000 impairment loss on property held for
development and an impairment loss of $418,000 on research and license
agreements. At September 30, 2007, we recorded a $522,000 impairment loss on
property held for development.
Research
and Development.
We
incurred $65,000 in research and development expenses for the three months
ended
September 30, 2008, representing a decrease of $149,000 from $214,000 for the
prior year’s quarter. Currently, our research and development expense relates to
the amortization of our research agreements and payments under consulting
arrangements. We have fully satisfied all financial obligations due to National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Virginia
Tech
and the Energy & Environmental Research Center under existing research
agreements.
Interest
Income.
Interest
income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was $38,000, representing
a
decrease of $212,000 from $250,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2007. This decrease is primarily due to the decrease in our average cash and
cash equivalents balances compared to the prior year quarter.
Interest
Expense.
Interest
expense was $12,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, a decrease
of
$2,000 from $14,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007.
Loss
on Marketable Securities.
We had
no losses on marketable securities during the three months ended September
30,
2008. We recorded a loss of $1.6 million for the three months ended September
30, 2007 due to the sale of auction rate securities at less than par.
Gain
on Sale of Grain Inventory.
We
recorded a gain of $177,000 on the sale of grain inventory during the three
months ended September 30, 2008. We had no sales of grain inventory in the
prior
year quarter.
Gain
on Sale of Investment in New Generation Biofuels.
We
recorded a gain of $154,000 on the sale of 37,000 shares of the common stock
of
New Generation Biofuels during the three months ended September 30, 2008. We
sold none of our shares in New Generation Biofuels in the prior year
quarter.
Loss
on Equity of New Generation Biofuels.
We
recorded a loss on equity of New Generation Biofuels of $201,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 2008, compared to a loss on equity of New Generation
Biofuels of $265,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. This loss
represents our portion of New Generation Biofuels’ net losses, based on the
equity method of accounting for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and
September 30, 2007, respectively.
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
2007
Net
Loss.
We
incurred a net loss of $7.1 million, or $.25 per share, for the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 versus a net loss of $18.1 million, or $.63 per share,
for the prior year. Included in the net loss for the nine months ended September
30, 2008 were non-cash charges totaling $2.3 million or 32% of our net loss
for
the nine months. Non-cash charges included:
|
·
|
$972,000
of impairment losses on property held for development and research
and
license agreements;
|
|
·
|
$596,000
in depreciation and amortization
expenses;
|
|
·
|
$106,000
in compensation expense related to stock options granted to employees
and
directors under our 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan; and
|
|
·
|
a
$618,000 loss on equity of New Generation
Biofuels.
|
The
decrease in net loss of $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 as compared to the prior year nine months resulted primarily
from:
|
·
|
a
$2.4 million decrease in impairment
losses;
|
|
·
|
a
$3.2 million decrease in equity compensation
expenses;
|
|
·
|
a
$2.0 million increase in gain on sales of
investments;
|
|
·
|
a
$1.6 million decrease in loss on marketable
securities;
|
|
·
|
a
$1.0 million decrease in general and administrative
expenses;
|
|
·
|
a
$698,000 decrease in loss on equity of New Generation Biofuels;
|
|
·
|
a
$443,000 decrease in research and development expenses; and
|
|
·
|
a
$318,000 gain on sales of grain
inventory;
|
partially
offset by
|
·
|
a
$449,000 decrease in interest income;
and
|
|
·
|
a
$276,000 increase in gross loss on sales at our Blairstown
plant.
|
Net
Sales.
Net
sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased to $3.7 million
from $8.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease
was due to the May 1, 2008 cessation of ethanol production at our Blairstown
plant. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, our Blairstown plant
sold 1.7 million gallons of ethanol at monthly prices ranging between $1.84
and
$2.15 per gallon at an average price of
$1.98
per gallon, and we sold $426,000 of
by-products. Total average revenue per gallon including by-products was $2.23.
During the prior year period, our Blairstown plant sold 4.0 million gallons
of
ethanol at monthly prices ranging between $1.55 and $2.09 per gallon at an
average price of $1.91 per gallon, and we sold $742,000 of by-products. Total
average revenue per gallon including by-products was $2.09.
Cost
of Sales.
Cost of
sales is comprised of direct materials, direct labor and factory overhead.
Included in factory overhead are energy costs, depreciation, and repairs and
maintenance. Cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was
$5.1
million compared to $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
The decrease in cost of sales was due to the May 1, 2008 cessation of ethanol
production at our Blairstown plant. The average monthly cost of sales during
the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $3.04 per gallon compared to $2.36
for
the prior year nine months. The increase in cost per gallon in 2008 was due
to
factory overhead expenses incurred since we ceased ethanol production at our
Blairstown plant on May 1, 2008.
Gross
Loss.
Gross
loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $1.4 million, or 37%
of
net sales, versus a gross loss of $1.1 million, or 13% of net sales, for the
nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in gross loss is principally
due to the higher average cost per gallon for the nine months ended September
30, 2008 compared to that of the prior year.
General
and Administrative Expenses.
G&A
expenses were $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007,
reflecting a decrease of $1.0 million, or 14%. Included in G&A expenses for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was corporate overhead of $5.5 million,
compared to corporate overhead of $5.6 million in 2007, a decrease of $121,000,
or 2% compared to 2007 corporate overhead.
The
primary components of corporate overhead expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 were:
|
·
|
$1.8
million for legal and accounting
services;
|
|
·
|
$1.4
million for payroll expenses;
|
|
·
|
$708,000
for expenses at our idle Blairstown, Augusta, and Spring Hope
facilities;
|
|
·
|
$702,000
for consulting services; and
|
|
·
|
$580,000
for travel and entertainment
expenses.
|
The
decrease in G&A expenses in 2008 as compared to 2007 resulted primarily
from:
|
·
|
a
$638,000 decrease in expenses of our CoastalXethanol subsidiary (which
owns our Augusta facility) resulting primarily from the termination
in
September 2007 of our joint venture with Coastal Energy Development,
Inc.
and cost saving procedures instituted by management;
|
|
·
|
a
$288,000 decrease in professional
fees;
|
|
·
|
a
$242,000 decrease in travel and entertainment expenses;
and
|
|
·
|
a
$181,000 decrease in expenses of our Spring Hope
facility;
|
partially
offset by
|
·
|
a
$387,000 increase in payroll expenses due principally to the new
GES
management team we hired in June 2008 and the $150,000 bonus accrued
for
our chief executive officer at September 30,
2008.
|
Equity
Compensation.
Equity
compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $106,000 compared
to $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The overall
decrease in equity compensation reflects:
|
·
|
$18,000
in compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
related to stock options granted to employees under the 2005 Incentive
Compensation Plan, which represents a decrease of $2.1 million from
$2.1
million in the prior year nine
months;
|
|
·
|
$88,000
in compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
related to stock options granted to outside directors under the 2005
Incentive Compensation Plan, which represents a decrease of $700,000
from
$788,000 in the prior year nine months;
and
|
|
·
|
no
compensation expense related to warrants issued for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2008, a decrease of $421,000 from the prior year nine
months.
|
Depreciation
and Amortization.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 was $55,000 compared to $59,000 for the prior year nine months,
representing a slight decrease of $4,000.
Impairment
Loss - Property Held for Development and Research and License
Agreements.
We
recorded impairment losses of $972,000 during the three months ended September
30, 2008 consisting of a $554,000 impairment loss on property held for
development and an impairment loss of $418,000 on research and license
agreements. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we recorded impairment
losses of $3.4 million on property held for development.
Research
and Development.
We
incurred $235,000 in research and development expenses for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2008, representing a decrease of $443,000 from the prior period.
Our research and development expense relates to the amortization of our research
agreements and payments under consulting arrangements. We have fully satisfied
all financial obligations due to National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the
USDA
Forest Products Laboratory, Virginia Tech and the Energy & Environmental
Research Center under existing research agreements.
Interest
Income.
Interest
income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $170,000, representing
a
decrease of $449,000 from $619,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
2007.
This decrease is primarily due to the decrease in our average cash and cash
equivalents balances compared to the prior year nine months.
Interest
Expense.
Interest
expense was $40,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, a slight
decrease from $42,000 for the prior year period.
Loss
on Marketable Securities.
We had
no losses on marketable securities during the nine months ended September 30,
2008. We recorded a loss of $1.6 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2007 due to the sale of auction rate securities at less than par.
Gain
on Sale of Grain Inventory.
We
recorded a gain of $318,000 on sales of grain inventory during the nine months
ended September 30, 2008. We had no sales of grain inventory in the prior year
period.
Gain
on Sale of Investment in New Generation Biofuels.
We
recorded a gain of $2.0 million on the sale of 397,000 shares of the common
stock of New Generation Biofuels during the nine months ended September 30,
2008. We sold none of our shares in New Generation Biofuels in the prior year
nine months.
Loss
on Equity of New Generation Biofuels.
We
recorded a loss on equity of New Generation Biofuels of $618,000 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008, compared to a loss on equity of New Generation
Biofuels of $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This
loss
represents our portion of New Generation Biofuels’ net losses, based on the
equity method of accounting for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and
September 30, 2007, respectively.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We
had
cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of approximately
$6.6 million as of September 30, 2008, a
pproximately
$5,391,000 of which was held in The Reserve U.S. Government Fund (a money market
fund), which was unable to process redemption requests from September 2008
until
November 13, 2008. The Reserve announced on November 13, 2008 that
it
had
begun the initial distribution of $4.5 billion, or approximately 40% of the
total assets of the fund, to shareholders on a pro rata basis. The Reserve
further stated that approximately $6 billion in total assets remain in the
fund,
and that it would “make additional distributions as more cash becomes available
either through sales at amortized cost (no loss being realized) or maturity.”
We
received our initial pro rata distribution of $2,238,000 on November 14, 2008.
Further, we expect to be able to access the remaining approximately $3,153,000
of our funds at no loss in the relatively near future, but we can provide no
assurances in that regard.
In
light
of the above, we reclassified
$3,153,000
of
our
assets in the fund from cash and cash equivalents to short-term marketable
securities on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2008 because
the
investment in the fund no longer meets the definition of a cash equivalent.
As
of
November 14, 2008, we have approximately $2,189,000 in cash and cash equivalents
and approximately $
3,153,000
in
short-term marketable securities.
Our
working capital as of September 30, 2008 was $5.2 million, representing a
decrease in working capital of $5.6 million compared to working capital of
$10.8
million at December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2008, we had outstanding
debt
instruments totaling $291,000.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we used net cash of $6.8 million
for
operating activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $2.1 million,
consisting of $1.9 million provided by the sale of 397,000 of our shares of
common stock in New Generation Biofuels, offset by $750,000 used for investments
and $40,000 for property and equipment. At September 30, 2008, we reclassified
cash and cash equivalents of $3,153,000 to short-term marketable securities,
resulting in a use of cash. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
we
made $12,000 in payments under a note payable and $6,000 in capitalized lease
payments.
In
December 2006, we formed a joint venture to invest in a research project to
produce ethanol from citrus waste. We agreed to pay $600,000 to our joint
venture partner over the next ten years. We are continuing to evaluate an
opportunity to build a demonstration plant for converting citrus peel waste
into
ethanol. The estimated cost for the two-year build-out of the demonstration
plant is approximately $6 million. On January 22, 2008, the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services approved a $500,000 grant for this purpose.
We are investigating various sources of funding including government grants.
In
addition, we are evaluating whether or not to pursue the manufacture and sale
of
a diesel biofuel under our exclusive license with New Generation
Biofuels.
We
will
need substantial additional capital to fund the business of GES (including
energy-related projects for which we have paid a total of $650,000 in good
faith
deposits that we may lose if we do not acquire the projects as planned), build
the demonstration plant and fund any other growth opportunities we pursue.
Our
primary sources of capital are as follows:
|
·
|
As
of November 14, 2008,
we
have approximately $2,189,000 in cash and cash equivalents and
approximately $
3,153,000
in
short-term marketable securities
.
Our marketable securities are held in The Reserve U.S. Government
Fund, a
money market fund that is in liquidation.
We
expect to be able to access these funds at no loss in the relatively
near
future, but we can provide no assurances in that regard
.
As a result, we have elected to operate our business to conserve
our
available cash, which limits our ability to pursue our business plan
as
aggressively as we would prefer.
|
|
·
|
As
of November 1, 2008, we hold 5,301,000 shares of New Generation Biofuels
common stock. New Generation Biofuels common stock has recently traded
at
over $2.00 per share on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Given that we
own more
than 28% of the outstanding shares of New Generation Biofuels, we
have
relied on SEC Rule 144 in selling 549,000 shares of New Generation
Biofuels common stock in 2008. Under that rule, the volume of our
sales of
shares of New Generation Biofuels common stock is limited to 1% of
the
outstanding common shares of New Generation Biofuels every 90 days.
We
expect to continue to sell shares of New Generation Biofuels common
stock
under Rule 144 in the future, and we may seek to sell a larger block
of
our New Generation Biofuels shares in some other manner at a substantial
discount to the market price. We can offer no assurances (a) that
we will
be able to continue to sell shares of New Generation Biofuels common
stock
under Rule 144 or otherwise, or (b) regarding the price at which
we are
able to sell those shares.
We
have reevaluated our Augusta and Spring Hope facilities and have
decided
that they do not fit within our long-term corporate strategy. On
March 20,
2008, our board authorized management to pursue the sale of each
facility.
We are also considering the sale of our facilities in Blairstown,
Iowa. We
can offer no assurances regarding the proceeds of the sale of one
or more
of those properties or the timing of any such sale or
sales.
|
We
may
also seek to raise capital through additional equity offerings, debt financing,
bond financing or a combination of these methods.
To
conserve our cash and cash equivalents or generate positive cash flow, we have
taken or expect to take several actions:
|
·
|
If
we are successful in selling our Augusta facility, we estimate that
we
would reduce our annual overhead by approximately $600,000.
|
|
·
|
If
we are successful in selling our Spring Hope facility, we estimate
that we
would reduce our annual overhead by approximately $150,000.
|
|
·
|
We
have indefinitely deferred construction of a new Blairstown ethanol
plant
as a result of the changing ethanol market, continued high prices
for corn
and our inability to arrange debt or equity financing for the
project.
|
|
·
|
We
vacated our New York office effective August 31, 2008, which will
save us
approximately $250,000 annually.
|
|
·
|
As
a result of the continued high prices for corn and natural gas, on
May 1,
2008 we indefinitely ceased production of ethanol at our Blairstown
plant.
|
|
·
|
We
are pursuing utility energy service projects for organizations that
include government agencies and the U.S. military, and we expect
that any
project of that nature will generate positive cash
flow.
|
We
currently have no commitments for any additional financing, and we can give
no
assurance that we will be able to raise the additional capital we need on
commercially acceptable terms or at all. We are seeking to obtain one or more
credit facilities secured by one or more of our real estate, our shares of
New
Generation Biofuels and our investment in The Reserve U.S. Government Fund.
We
are also seeking debt and equity financing for projects that GES is pursuing.
Our failure to raise capital as needed would significantly restrict our growth
and hinder our ability to compete. We will need to curtail expenses further,
reduce investments we would otherwise make through Global Energy Ventures and
defer or forgo business opportunities. Additional equity financings may be
dilutive to holders of our common stock, and debt financing, if available,
may
involve significant payment obligations and covenants that restrict how we
operate our business.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
have
not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities in which we
have
financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments
or
other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks,
contingent liabilities or any other obligations under a variable interest in
an
unconsolidated entity that provides us with financing, liquidity, market risk
or
credit risk support.
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements requires us
to
make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those
related to valuation of intangible assets, investments, property and equipment;
contingencies and litigation; and the valuation of shares issued for services
or
in connection with acquisitions. We base our estimates on historical experience
and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about
the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from
other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions. The accounting policies that we follow are described
in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements contained in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
With
regard to our policies surrounding the valuation of shares issued for services
or in connection with acquisitions, we rely on the fair value of the shares
at
the time they were issued. After considering various trading
aspects
of our stock, including volatility, trading
volume and public float, we believe that the price of our stock as reported
on
NYSE Alternext US (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange) is the
most
reliable indicator of fair value. The fair value of options and warrants
issued
for services is determined at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model and is expensed over the respective vesting periods. A
modification of the terms or conditions of an equity award is treated as
an
exchange of the original award for a new award in accordance with SFAS No.
123R.
We
evaluate impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144,
“
Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”
We
assess the impairment of long-lived assets, including property and equipment
and
purchased intangibles subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. The asset impairment review assesses the fair value of the assets
based on the future cash flows the assets are expected to generate. We recognize
an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to
result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from the disposition
of the asset (if any) are less than the related asset’s carrying amount.
Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amounts
of
the assets exceed their fair values. Estimates of future cash flows are
judgments based on management’s experience and knowledge of our operations and
the industries in which we operate. These estimates can be significantly
affected by future changes in market conditions, the economic environment,
capital spending decisions of our customers and inflation.
As
of
September 30, 2008, our carrying value of our investment in New Generation
Biofuels was $0 in accordance with APB Opinion No. 18. During the first nine
months of 2008, we sold 397,000 shares of New Generation Biofuels’ common stock
under SEC Rule 144 for a net aggregate sales price of $2.0 million. As of
September 30, 2008, we owned 5,453,000 shares of New Generation Biofuels common
stock, which represented approximately 28.9% of the common stock then
outstanding.
Our
remaining intangible assets at September 30, 2008 consisted of research and
license agreements relating to our 2006 acquisition of Advanced Biomass
Gasification Technologies, Inc. (“ABGT”). We have determined that these
agreements have been impaired because we do not anticipate using them under
our
current business plan. At September 30, 2008, we recorded an impairment charge
of $418,000 on these agreements.
Item
3.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not
required for smaller reporting companies.
Item
4T.
Controls
and Procedures.
Based
on
our management’s evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of September 30, 2008, the end of the
period covered by this report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the
“Exchange Act”)) were effective to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the rules and forms of the SEC and is accumulated and communicated to our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There
was
no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
the quarter ended September 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
The
design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain
assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance
that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential
future conditions, regardless of how remote.
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
Legal
Proceedings.
We
are a
party to the Jacoby Energy Development lawsuit as described below. The class
action lawsuit described below was settled on October 6, 2008. An adverse result
in the Jacoby Energy Development lawsuit could have a material adverse effect
on
our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Class
Action Lawsuit
.
In
October 2006, a shareholder class action complaint was filed in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, purportedly brought
on behalf of all purchasers of our common stock during the period January 31,
2006 through August 8, 2006. The complaint alleged, among other things, that
we
and some of our former officers and directors made materially false and
misleading statements regarding our operations, management and internal controls
in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
and Rule 10b-5. The individual defendants were Lawrence S. Bellone, a former
director, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, principal accounting
officer and Chief Financial Officer; Christopher d’Arnaud-Taylor, a former
director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Jeffrey S.
Langberg, a former director. The plaintiffs sought, among other things,
unspecified compensatory damages and reasonable costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees. Six nearly identical class action complaints
were
thereafter filed in the same court, all of which were later consolidated into
one action, In re Xethanol Corporation Securities Litigation, 06 Civ. 10234
(HB)
(S.D.N.Y.). The plaintiffs filed their amended consolidated complaint on March
23, 2007. On November 28, 2007, the defendants, including us, reached an
agreement in principle with the plaintiffs’ lead counsel to settle the class
action. On October 6, 2008, the District Court Judge dismissed the class action
with prejudice. In connection with the settlement, the plaintiffs received
$2.8
million, of which we paid $400,000 and our insurance carriers paid $2.4 million.
In addition, our insurance carriers paid $300,000 in legal costs.
Jacoby
Energy Development, Inc. Lawsuit
.
On July 28, 2008, Jacoby Energy Development, Inc. (“JEDI”), Geoplasma, LLC and
Georecover-Live Oak, LLC filed an action in the Superior Court of Fulton County
of the State of Georgia (File No. 2008CV154224) against us, our subsidiary
Global Energy Systems, Inc. (“GES”), and six current officers and
employees. The six individual defendants are Romilos Papadopoulos, our
Chief Operating Offer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and
Secretary; Michael Ellis, President of GES; and four other employees of
GES. The complaint alleges, among other things, that we breached a mutual
nondisclosure agreement related to previous negotiations for a possible merger
between us and JEDI and its affiliates. The plaintiffs allege that we
breached the agreement by soliciting and hiring the six individual defendants,
who were previously employed by the plaintiffs, and by using the plaintiffs’
confidential and proprietary information for our own business purposes.
The plaintiffs also allege that we tortuously interfered with the plaintiffs’
business and misappropriated the plaintiffs’ trade secrets. The plaintiffs
seek, among other things, a permanent injunction, unspecified compensatory
damages plus costs and expenses incurred in connection with the litigation,
including attorneys’ fees, and general and punitive damages in an amount not
less than $10 million. The parties agreed to suspend the litigation while
they attempt to come to a business resolution of the issues. On October 17,
2008, at the request of the parties, the Superior Court entered a consent order
to stay further proceedings in the litigation until November 14, 2008 and,
if
the parties do not settle the case by that date, to extend the time within
which
the defendants are required to file an answer and respond to discovery until
November 21, 2008 and December 5, 2008, respectively. As of the date of this
report, the parties have not yet reached a settlement agreement but are
continuing their discussions.
Litigation
is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in this or other
matters that may arise from time to time could have a material adverse effect
on
our business, results of operations and financial condition. We may incur
material legal and other expenses, and our management may be
distracted.
Item
1A.
Risk
Factors.
In
addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, you should
carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. These
risk
factors could materially affect our business, financial condition or future
results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that
we
currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our
business, financial condition and/or operating results. Further, you should
carefully consider the risk factors described below:
We
face various risks as a result of the current “credit crunch” and the uncertain
economic environment.
The
current “credit crunch” has affected or may affect us in several ways. We face
difficulties in obtaining the necessary debt and equity capital we need to
pursue our business plan, which requires a significant amount of capital. The
difficult credit environment may also affect our plans to sell one or more
of
our facilities to the extent that purchasers need to finance the purchase of
those facilities with borrowings. The recent bankruptcy filing of ethanol
producer VeraSun Energy Corporation may also further depress the value of
ethanol plants like our Blairstown facilities, which we are considering selling.
The substantial and rapid decline in the price of oil may also affect our
business adversely, given that the business viability of, and political support
for, renewable energy has generally in the past been inversely correlated with
the price of oil. In summary, like many businesses in America, we face a
difficult and uncertain market. If we are unable to address these issues, or
the
economic climate deteriorates further, we may be unable to pursue our business
plan, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial position.
We
may be unable to access a substantial amount of our current assets for an
indefinite period.
As
noted
above, approximately $3,153,000 of our current assets is currently unavailable
to us due to problems at the Reserve U.S. Government Fund, a money market fund
that holds those assets. While we believe that this problem with our money
market fund will be resolved in the relatively near future, we can give no
assurances in that regard. As a result, we have elected to operate our business
to conserve our available cash, which limits our ability to pursue our business
plan as aggressively as we would prefer. If we are unable to access these funds
as we anticipate, our business, results of operations and financial position
would be materially adversely affected.
Item
2.
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item
3.
Default
Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item
4.
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
Item
5.
Other
Information.
None.
Item
6.
Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
|
|
Description
of Exhibit
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Certificate
of Ownership and Merger dated October 27, 2008 and filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 27, 2008.
[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 in our Current Report on
Form
8-K dated October 22, 2008 and filed with the SEC on October 28,
2008.]
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|
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3.2
|
|
Second
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Global Energy Holdings Group, Inc.
[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 in our Current Report on
Form
8-K dated October 22, 2008 and filed with the SEC on October 28,
2008.]
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3.3
|
|
Composite
of Certificate of Incorporation of Global Energy Holdings Group,
Inc.,
including Certificate of Ownership and Merger dated October 27, 2008
and
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October
27,
2008.
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|
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4.1
|
|
Specimen
Common Stock Certificate of Global Energy Holdings, Group,
Inc.
|
|
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|
10.1
|
|
Form
of Stock Option Agreement. (Each of the following executive officers
executed the identical form of Stock Option Agreement with the applicable
number of shares specified above: David R. Ames, Romilos Papadopoulos
and
Michael Ellis.) [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in our
Current
Report on Form 8-K dated October 7, 2008 and filed with the SEC on
October
14, 2008.]
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|
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10.2
|
|
Form
of Restricted Stock Agreement. (Each of the following executive officers
executed the identical form of Restricted Stock Agreement with the
applicable number of shares specified above: David R. Ames, Romilos
Papadopoulos and Michael Ellis.) [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 7, 2008 and
filed
with the SEC on October 14, 2008.]
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31.1
|
|
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
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31.2
|
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Certification
of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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32
|
|
Joint
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial
Officer Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 1350, Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly
authorized.
|
GLOBAL
ENERGY HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
|
|
|
|
Date:
November 14, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
David R. Ames
|
|
|
David
R. Ames
President
and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
Date:
November 14, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
Romilos Papadopoulos
|
|
|
Romilos
Papadopoulos
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial Officer)
|
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