Genie Energy Ltd. (GNE) FY 2022 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This Annual 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, including statements that contain the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends” and similar words and phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in any forward-looking statement. In addition to the factors specifically noted in the forward-looking statements, other important factors, risks and uncertainties that could result in those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Item 1A to Part I “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Annual Report, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Investors should consult all of the information set forth in this report and the other information set forth from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Overview
We are comprised of Genie Retail Energy ("GRE") and Genie Renewables. In the third quarter of 2022, we discontinued the operations of Lumo Finland and Sweden as discussed below. Following this discontinuance of operations, Genie Retail Energy International ("GRE International") ceased to be a segment and the remaining assets and liabilities and results of any continuing operations of GRE International were combined with corporate.
GRE owns and operates retail energy providers ("REPs"), including IDT Energy, Residents Energy, Town Square Energy ("TSE"), Southern Federal and Mirabito Natural Gas. GRE's REPs' businesses resell electricity and natural gas primarily to residential and small business customers, with the majority of the customers in the Midwestern and Eastern United States and Texas.
Genie Renewables holds Genie Solar Energy, an integrated solar energy company, a 93.5% interest in CityCom Solar, a marketer of community solar energy solutions, Diversegy, an energy broker for commercial, and a 60.0% controlling interest in Prism Solar, a solar solutions company that is engaged in manufacturing of solar panels, solar installation design and solar energy project management.
Discontinued Operations in Finland and Sweden
As a result of sustained volatility in the energy markets in Europe, in the third quarter of 2022, we decided to discontinue the operations of Lumo Energia Oyj ("Lumo Finland") and Lumo Energi AB ("Lumo Sweden"). From July 13, 2022 to July 19, 2022, the Company entered into a series of transactions to sell most of the electricity swap instruments held by Lumo Sweden for a gross aggregate amount of €41.1 million (equivalent to approximately $41.4 million at the dates of the transactions) before fees and other costs. The sale price is to be settled monthly based on the monthly commodity volume specified in the instruments from September 2022 to March 2025. The net book value of the instruments sold was €34.2 million (equivalent to $35.8 million).
In July 2022, Lumo Sweden entered into a transaction to transfer, effective August 5, 2022, its customers to a third party for nominal consideration. In August 2022 Lumo Finland entered in a transaction to transfer its variable rate customers to a third party for €$1.9 million (equivalent to $2.0 million), and transferred the fixed rate customers to other utilities for no considerations.
We determined that exiting the Finland and Sweden markets represented a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations and accordingly, presented the results of operations and related cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations have been presented separately, and are reflected within assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden will continue to liquidate their remaining receivables and settle any remaining liabilities.
In November 2022, Lumo Finland declared bankruptcy and the administration of Lumo Finland was transferred to an administrator ("Lumo Administrator"). All assets and liabilities of Lumo Finland remain with Lumo Finland, in which Genie retains its interest, however, the management and control of Lumo Finland were transferred to the Lumo Administrator. Since the Company lost control of the management of Lumo Finland in favor of the Lumo Administrator, the accounts of Lumo Finland were deconsolidated effective November 9, 2022.
Net loss from discontinued operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden, net of taxes were $30.4 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively
Following the discontinuance of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden, GRE International ceased to be a segment and the remaining assets and liabilities and the results of continuing operations of GRE internal were combined with corporate.
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Discontinued U.K. Operations
In 2021, the natural gas and energy market in the United Kingdom deteriorated which prompted us to suspend the then contemplated spin-off of our international operations and start the process of orderly withdrawal from the U.K. market. In October 2021, as part of the orderly exit process from the U.K. market, Orbit and Shell U.K. Limited ("Shell") agreed to terminate the exclusive supply contract between them. As part of the termination agreement, Orbit was required to unwind all physical forward hedges with Shell which resulted in net cash proceeds after settlement of all related liabilities with Shell. A portion of the net cash proceeds was transferred to us (see Notes 16, Legal and Regulatory Proceedings, to our financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Following the termination of the contract between Orbit and Shell, we filed a petition with the High Court of Justice Business and Property of England and Wales (the “Court”) to declare Orbit insolvent based on the Insolvency Act of 1986. On November 29, 2021, the Court declared Orbit insolvent based on the Insolvency Act of 1986, revoked Orbit's license to supply electricity and natural gas in the United Kingdom, ordered that Orbit's current customers be transferred to a “supplier of last resort” and transferred the administration of Orbit to Administrators effective December 1, 2021. All of the customers of Orbit were transferred to a third-party supplier effective December 1, 2021 as ordered by the Court. All assets and liabilities of Orbit, including cash and receivables remain with Orbit, the management and control of which was transferred to Administrators.
We determined that exiting the United Kingdom represented a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations and accordingly, presented the results of operations and related cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations have been presented separately, and are reflected within assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19)
Starting in the first quarter 2021, the world and the United States experienced the unprecedented impacts of the coronavirus disease 2020 (COVID-19) pandemic.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the impacts of COVID-19 are evident in several key aspects of our business operations and the corresponding financial impact has been mixed. Our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $7.7 million or 2.4 compared to 2021.
Our customer base is predominantly residential, so we benefited from the increased demand for electricity when customers are working from their homes. On the other hand, like other retail energy providers, we suspended our face-to-face customer acquisition programs in March 2020 as public health measures were implemented to combat COVID-19, resulting in a decrease in gross meter acquisitions and a decrease in U.S. domestic meters served. The reduction in gross meter acquisitions decreased our customer acquisition expense in the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 compared to the period before the pandemic.
We did not experience any significant changes in our workforce composition and were able to implement our business continuity plans with no significant impact to our ability to maintain our operations. We continue to maintain strong physical and cybersecurity measures in order to both serve our operational needs with a remote workforce and to ensure that we continue to provide services to our customers. We face challenges due to the need to operate with a remote workforce and are continuing to address those challenges so as to minimize the impact on our ability to operate.
Beginning in 2021, public health restrictions have begun to ease in some of our markets which allow us to resume face-to-face sales and marketing. We believe that the impact of the public health restrictions on our meter acquisition efforts has dissipated, however, any reversal of the easing of restrictions would impact that situation.
There are many uncertainties regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are closely monitoring those impacts of on all aspects of its business, including how it will impact our customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, and business partners. We are currently unable to predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on our financial position and operating results due to the complexities of the impacts and numerous uncertainties that are beyond the Company's control. We expect to continue to assess the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our business and assets and intend to make adjustments accordingly.
Genie Retail Energy
GRE operates REPs that resell electricity and/or natural gas to residential and small business customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. GRE’s revenues represented approximately 96.3% and 96.5% of our consolidated revenues in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively
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GRE’s cost of revenues consists primarily of natural gas and electricity purchased for resale. Certain of GRE’s REPs are party to an Amended and Restated Preferred Supplier Agreement with BP Energy Company, or BP, which is in effect through November 30, 2023. Those REPs ability to purchase electricity and natural gas under this agreement is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions including the maintenance of certain covenants.
As an operator of REPs, GRE does not own electrical power generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, or natural gas production, pipeline or distribution facilities. Instead, GRE’s REPs contract with various pipeline and distribution companies for natural gas pipeline, storage and transportation services, and utilizes NYISO, PJM, ISO New England and MISO for electric transmission and distribution. GRE’s cost of revenues includes scheduling costs, ISO fees, pipeline costs and utility service charges for the purchase of these services.
For risk management purposes, GRE’s REPs utilize put and call options and swaps as hedges against unfavorable fluctuations in market prices of electricity and natural gas and to reduce exposure from price fluctuations. The put and call options and swaps are recorded at fair value as a current asset or liability and any changes in fair value are recorded in cost of revenues. The impact of these options and swaps on cost of revenues is relatively small in comparison to the purchases of gas and electricity for resale.
The electricity transmission and distribution operators perform real-time load balancing for each of the electrical power grids in which GRE’s REPs operate. Similarly, the utility or the local distribution company, or LDC, performs load balancing for each of the natural gas markets in which GRE’s REPs operate. Load balancing ensures that the amount of electricity and natural gas that GRE’s REPs purchase is equal to the amount necessary to service their customers’ demands at any specific point in time. GRE’s REPs manage the differences between the actual electricity and natural gas demands of its customers and its bulk or block purchases by buying and selling in the spot market, and through monthly cash settlements and/or adjustments to futures deliveries in accordance with the load balancing performed by utilities, LDCs, and electricity transmission and distribution operators. Suppliers and the LDC’s charge or credit GRE for balancing the electricity and natural gas purchased and sold for its account.
Local utilities generally meter and deliver electricity and natural gas to GRE’s REPs' customers. The local utilities also provide billing and collection services on GRE’s REPs behalf for most of customers and certain local utilities offer purchase of receivables, or POR, programs. GRE’s REPs receive the proceeds less the utility’s fees for purchase of receivables billing and other ancillary services, where applicable.
Volatility in the electricity and natural gas markets affects the wholesale cost of the electricity and natural gas that GRE’s REPs sell to customers. GRE’s REPs may not always choose to pass along increases in costs to their customers for various reasons including competitive pressures and for overall customer satisfaction. In addition, GRE’s REPs offer fixed rate products or guaranteed pricing and may be unable to change their sell rates offered to fixed rate and guaranteed pricing customers in response to volatility in the prices of the underlying commodities. This can adversely affect GRE’s gross margins and results of operations. Alternatively, increases in GRE’s REPs rates charged to customers may lead to increased customer churn.
GRE’s REPs’ selling expense consists primarily of sales commissions paid to independent agents and marketing costs, which are the primary costs associated with the acquisition of customers. Selling, general and administrative expense includes compensation, benefits, utility fees for billing and collection, professional fees, rent and other administrative costs.
Seasonality and Weather; Climate Change
The weather and the seasons, among other things, affect GRE’s REPs’ revenues. Weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for natural gas used for heating and electricity used for heating and cooling. Typically, colder winters increase demand for natural gas and electricity, and hotter summers increase demand for electricity. Milder winters and/or summers have the opposite effect. Unseasonable temperatures in other periods may also impact demand levels. Potential changes in global climate may produce, among other possible conditions, unusual variations in temperature and weather patterns, resulting in unusual weather conditions, more intense, frequent and extreme weather events and other natural disasters. Some climatologists believe that these extreme weather events will become more common and more extreme which will have a greater impact on our operations. Natural gas revenues typically increase in the first quarter due to increased heating demands and electricity revenues typically increase in the third quarter due to increased air conditioning use. Approximately 39.7% and 44.5% of GRE’s natural gas revenues for the relevant years were generated in the first quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, when demand for heating was highest. Although the demand for electricity is not as seasonal as natural gas (due, in part, to usage of electricity for both heating and cooling), approximately 30.5% and 30.3% of GRE’s electricity revenues for 2022 and 2021, respectively, were generated in the third quarters of those years. GRE’s REPs’ revenues and operating income are subject to material seasonal variations, and the interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of the estimated financial results for the full year.
In addition to the direct physical impact that climate change may have on our business, financial condition and results of operations because of the effect on pricing, demand for our offerings and/or the energy supple markets, we may also be adversely impacted by other environmental factors, including: (i) technological advances designed to promote energy efficiency and limit environmental impact; (ii) increased competition from alternative energy sources; (iii) regulatory responses aimed at decreasing greenhouse gas emissions; and (iv) litigation or regulatory actions that address the environmental impact of our energy products and services.
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Winter Storm in Texas
In February of 2021, the State of Texas experienced unprecedented cold weather and snow, which was named Winter Storm Uri. With the grid overtaxed due to demand and weather-related reduced supply and rolling blackouts being enforced, by order of the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas ("ERCOT"), real-time commodity prices during the crisis escalated significantly. Although GRE's commitment for their customers in Texas was hedged for foreseen winter weather conditions, the market conditions exposed the Company to significant unexpected cost increases. In the year ended December 31, 2021, GRE recognized approximately $13.0 million in additional costs related to the situation, which were included in the cost of revenue in the consolidated statements of operation.
In June 2021, the legislature of the State of Texas passed House Bill 4492 (“HB 4492”) which includes certain provisions for financing certain costs associated with electric markets caused by Winter Storm Uri. Pursuant to HB 4492, two categories of charges associated with Winter Storm Uri are to be securitized and the proceeds of the securitization will be provided to the load serving entities who originally incurred the charges. Under HB 4492, the Company is entitled to recover a portion of the costs incurred from the effect of Winter Storm Uri with a calculated range of $1.5 million to $2.6 million. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded a reduction in cost of revenues of $1.5 million.
In September 2021, the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUC") approved the Debt Obligation Order to grant ERCOT's application for a debt financing mechanism to pay for certain costs associated with Winter Storm Uri. Under the Debt Obligation Order, the amount that the Company is entitled to recover increased to approximately $3.4 million. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company recorded an additional reduction in the cost of revenues of $1.9 million for an aggregate amount of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In June 2022, the Company received a $3.5 million refund related to the cost of Winter Storm Uri.
Purchase of Receivable
Utility companies offer purchase of receivable, or POR, programs in most of the service territories in which we operate. GRE’s REPs reduce their customer credit risk by participating in POR programs for a majority of their receivables. In addition to providing billing and collection services, utility companies purchase those REPs’ receivables and assume all credit risk without recourse to those REPs. GRE’s REPs’ primary credit risk is therefore nonpayment by the utility companies. In the year ended December 31, 2022, the associated cost was approximately 1.1% of GRE's revenue. At December 31, 2022, 80.5% of GRE’s net accounts receivables were under a POR program.
Concentration of Customers and Associated Credit Risk
GRE’s REPs reduce their customer credit risk by participating in purchase of receivable programs for a majority of their receivables. In addition to providing billing and collection services, some utility companies purchase those REPs’ receivables and assume all credit risk without recourse to those REPs for those purchased receivables. GRE’s REPs primary credit risk with respect to those purchased receivables is therefore nonpayment by the utility companies. Certain of the utility companies represent significant portions of our consolidated revenues and consolidated gross trade accounts receivable balance during certain periods, and such concentrations increase our risk associated with nonpayment by those utility companies.
The following table summarizes the percentage of consolidated trade receivable by customers that equal or exceed 10.0% of consolidated net trade receivables at December 31, 2022 and 2021 (no other single customer accounted for 10.0% or greater of our consolidated net trade receivable as of December 31, 2022 and 2021).
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Customer A | 10.2 | % | 12.5 | % |
na—less than 10.0% of consolidated net trade receivables
The following table summarizes the percentage of consolidated revenues from customers that equal or exceed 10% or greater of the Company’s consolidated revenues in the period (no other single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues in these periods):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Customer A | 10.1 | % | na | % | ||||
| Customer B | na | 11.7 |
na—less than 10.0% of consolidated revenues in the period
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Class Action Lawsuits
Although GRE endeavors to maintain best sales and marketing practices, such practices have been the subject of certain class action lawsuits in the past.
Most recently, on February 18, 2020, named Plaintiff Danelle Davis filed a putative class action complaint against Residents Energy and GRE in United States District of New Jersey alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C § 227 et seq. Although Residents Energy and GRE denies any wrongdoing in connection with the complains, the parties settled the matter for a minimal amount which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2021.
See Notes 15, Legal and Regulatory Proceedings, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference.
Agency and Regulatory Proceedings
From time to time, the Company responds to inquiries or requests for information or materials from public utility commissions or other governmental regulatory or law enforcement agencies related to investigations under statutory or regulatory schemes. The Company cannot predict whether any of those matters will lead to claims or enforcement actions or whether the Company and the regulatory parties will enter into settlements before a formal claim is made. See Notes 15, Legal and Regulatory Proceedings, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference, for further detail on agency and regulatory proceedings.
State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
Town Square Energy
On September 19, 2018, the State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (“PURA”) commenced an investigation into Town Square following customer complaints of allegedly misleading and deceptive sales practices on the part of Town Square. The Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel joined in the investigation. On June 17, 2020, the PURA notified Town Square that it was advancing it’s investigation by assigning Prosecutorial ("PRO") staff for the purpose of investigating Town Square’s compliance with licensed electric supplier billing, marketing, and licensing requirements, and, if appropriate, facilitating settlement discussions among the parties.
Although Town Square denies any basis for those complaints and any wrongdoing on its part, in June 2021, it settled the matter with PURA. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, Town Square paid $0.4 million and has agreed to voluntarily refrain, from in-person marketing activities in Connecticut for the period of 15 months. As of December 31, 2022, Town Square’s Connecticut customer base represented 2.8% of GRE’s total meters served and 3.1% of the total RCEs of GRE’s customer base. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 Town Square’s gross revenues from sales in Connecticut were $16.6 million and $29.0 million, respectively.
An RCE represents a natural gas customer with annual consumption of 100 mmbtu or an electricity customer with annual consumption of 10 MWh. Because different customers have different rates of energy consumption, RCEs are an industry standard metric for evaluating the consumption profile of a given retail customer base.
Residents Energy
In August 2020, Residents Energy began marketing retail energy services in Connecticut. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Residents Energy's gross revenues from sales in Connecticut was $0.2 million. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the enforcement division of PURA contacted Residents Energy concerning customer complaints received in connection with alleged door-to-door marketing activities in violation of various rules and regulations. On March 12, 2021, the enforcement division filed a motion against Resident Energy with the adjudicating body of PURA, seeking the assessment of $1.5 million in penalties, along with a suspension of license for eighteen months, auditing of marketing practices upon reinstatement and an invitation for settlement discussions.
In May 2021, the parties reached a settlement, pursuant to which, Residents Energy paid $0.3 million and volunteered to withdraw from the market in Connecticut for a period of 36 months.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Critical accounting policies are those that require application of management’s most subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Our critical accounting policies include those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, goodwill and income taxes. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies.
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Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the Sale of Electricity and Natural Gas
Revenue from the single performance obligation to deliver a unit of electricity and/or natural gas is recognized as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit. Variable quantities in requirements contracts are considered to be options for additional goods and services because the customer has a current contractual right to choose the amount of additional distinct goods to purchase.GRE and Genie Japan (during the period prior to its sale in May 2021) record unbilled revenues for the estimated amount customers will be billed for services rendered from the time meters were last read to the end of the respective accounting period. The unbilled revenue is estimated each month based on available per day usage data, the number of unbilled days in the period and historical trends.
Many utility companies in the U.S. offer purchase of receivable, or POR, programs in most of the service territories in which we operate, and GRE’s REPs participate in POR programs for a majority of their receivables. We estimate variable consideration related to our rebate programs using the expected value method and a portfolio approach. Our estimates related to rebate programs are based on the terms of the rebate program, the customer’s historical electricity and natural gas consumption, the customer’s rate plan, and a churn factor. Taxes that are imposed on our sales and collected from customers are excluded from the transaction price.
We recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer as an asset if it expects the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We determined that certain sales commissions to acquire customers meet the requirements to be capitalized. For GRE, we apply a practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for sales commissions to acquire customers as the period would have been one year or less.
Revenues from Solar Panels
Our revenues from sales of solar panels are recognized at a point in time following the transfer of control of the solar panels to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. For sales contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, such as the shipment or delivery of solar modules, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices, or estimates of such prices, and recognize the related revenue as control of each individual product is transferred to the customer, in satisfaction of the corresponding performance obligations.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that result from the inability or unwillingness of our customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $4.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $6.1 million at December 31, 2021. Our allowance is determined based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence. Our estimates of recoverability of customer accounts may change due to new developments, changes in assumptions or changes in our strategy, which may impact our allowance for doubtful accounts balance. We continually assess the likelihood of potential amounts or ranges of recoverability and adjust our allowance accordingly, however, actual collections and write-offs of trade accounts receivable may materially differ from our estimates.
Goodwill
Our goodwill balance was $10.0 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021. Goodwill is not amortized since it is deemed to have an indefinite life. It is reviewed annually (or more frequently under various conditions) for impairment using a fair value approach.
Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized. These assets are reviewed annually (or more frequently under various conditions) for impairment using a fair value approach.
The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as considering third party market value indicators. Calculating the fair value of the reporting units requires significant estimates and assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the reporting units prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record impairments to its goodwill in future periods and such impairments could be material.
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We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1. In reviewing goodwill for impairment, we have the option, for any or all of our reporting units that carry goodwill - to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (i.e. greater than 50%) that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we elect to perform a qualitative assessment and determines that an impairment is more likely than not, we then required to perform the quantitative impairment test, otherwise no further analysis is required. We also may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment and, instead, proceed directly to quantitative impairment test. The ultimate outcome of the goodwill impairment review for a reporting unit should be the same whether we choose to perform the qualitative assessment or proceeds directly to the quantitative impairment test. In 2022 and 2021, we elected to perform a qualitative analysis for our GRE reporting unit as of October 1. The Company determined, after performing a qualitative analysis, that there was no evidence that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any identified reporting unit was less that the carrying amounts, therefore, it was not necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. We determined, after performing qualitative analysis, that there was no evidence that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any identified reporting unit was less that the carrying amounts, therefore, it was not necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test.
The determination of the fair value of our reporting units is based on an income approach that utilizes discounted cash flows for each reporting unit and other Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure. Under the income approach, we determine fair value based on the present value of the most recent cash flow projections for the reporting unit as of the date of the analysis and calculate a terminal value utilizing a terminal growth rate. The significant assumptions under this approach include, among others: income projections, which are dependent on future sales, new customers, customer behavior, competitor pricing, operating expenses, the discount rate, and the terminal growth rate. The cash flows used to determine fair value are dependent on a number of significant management assumptions such as the expectations of future performance and the expected future economic environment, which are partly based upon our historical experience. The estimates are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results. Additionally, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate are based on judgment of the rates that would be utilized by a hypothetical market participant.
Income Taxes
Our current and deferred income taxes and associated valuation allowance are impacted by events and transactions arising in the normal course of business as well as in connection with special and non-routine items. Assessment of the appropriate amount and classification of income taxes is dependent on several factors, including estimates of the timing and realization of deferred income tax assets, the results of Internal Revenue Service audits of our federal income tax returns, and changes in tax laws or regulations.
The valuation allowance on our deferred income tax assets was $10.2 million and $10.3 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We employ a tax strategy that enables us to currently deduct losses from our foreign subsidiaries against our profitable U.S. operations and we assess the realizability of deferred taxes quarterly. Because of our current projections, we concluded that we meet the criteria of more likely than not in order to utilize our deferred federal income tax assets in the foreseeable future and have released the valuation on the assets that we will utilize.
We use a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that, a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we presume that the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information will examine the position. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of tax benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in one or more of the following: an increase in a liability for income taxes payable, a reduction of an income tax refund receivable, a reduction in a deferred tax asset, or an increase in a deferred tax liability. We review and adjust our liability for unrecognized tax benefits based on our best estimate and judgment given the facts, circumstances and information available at each reporting date. To the extent that the outcome of these tax positions is different from the amounts recorded, such differences may affect income tax expense and actual tax payments.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Information regarding new accounting pronouncements are included in Note 1 —Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We evaluate the performance of our operating business segments based primarily on income (loss) from operations. Accordingly, the income and expense line items below income (loss) from operations are only included in our discussion of the consolidated results of operations.
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Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
Genie Retail Energy Segment
| Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Electricity | $ | 241,828 | $ | 273,019 | $ | (31,191 | ) | (11.4 | )% | |||||||
| Natural gas | 62,144 | 38,812 | 23,332 | 60.1 | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 303,972 | 311,831 | (7,859 | ) | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 150,990 | 220,951 | (69,961 | ) | (31.7 | ) | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 152,982 | 90,880 | 62,102 | 68.3 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 60,425 | 56,185 | 4,240 | 7.5 | ||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 92,557 | $ | 34,695 | $ | 57,862 | 166.8 |
Revenues.GRE’s electricity revenues decreased in 2022 compared to 2021. The decrease in electricity revenues in 2022 compared to 2021 was the result of a decrease in electricity consumption partially offset by an increase in the average price charged to customers. Electricity consumption by GRE's REPs' customers decreased 33.4% in 2022 compared to 2021. The decrease in electricity consumption reflected a decrease in the average number of meters served, which decreased by 30.8% in 2022 compared to 2021 and a 3.8% decrease in average electricity consumption per meter in 2022 compared to 2021. The reduction in meters served was driven, in part, by our decision to suspend certain customer acquisition efforts and allow certain lower margin customers, including those acquired through municipal aggregate deals to move to other suppliers. The average rate per kilowatt hour sold increased by 33.0% in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in average rate per kilowatt hour sold is due to the increase in the average wholesale price of electricity in 2022 compared to 2021.
GRE’s natural gas revenues increased in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in natural gas revenues in 2022 compared to 2021 was a result of increases in natural gas consumption, driven by increases in average meters served as well as average consumption per meter and average rate per therm sold. Natural gas consumption of GRE's REPs customers increased by 33.4% in 2022 compared to 2021. Average meters served increased by 6.5% in 2022 compared to 2021 and average consumption per meter increased by 25.2% in 2022 compared to 2021. The average rate per therm sold increased 20.0% in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in average rate per therm sold is due to the increase in the average wholesale price of natural gas in 2022 compared to 2021.
The customer base for GRE's REPs as measured by meters serviced consisted of the following:
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | June 30, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meters at end of quarter: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity customers | 196 | 193 | 203 | 209 | 210 | ||||||||||||||
| Natural gas customers | 79 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 75 | ||||||||||||||
| Total meters | 275 | 270 | 280 | 286 | 285 |
Gross meter acquisitions in 2022 were 159,000 compared to 177,000 in 2021. The number of meters served on December 31, 2022 decreased by 10,000 meters or 3.5% from December 31, 2021. The decrease in the gross meter acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021 was due to a “strategic pause” on certain customer acquisition channels to protect margins due to unfavorable market conditions that started in the fourth quarter of 2021.
In 2022, average monthly churn decreased to 4.8% compared to 5.7% in 2021. The decrease in average monthly churn in the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021 was due to termination of a significant aggregation deal in 2021. GRE's REPs also returned some customers to their underlying utility in certain markets in the fourth quarter of 2021 to minimize the impact of expected higher prices on our margin.
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The average rates of annualized energy consumption, as measured by residential customer equivalents, or RCEs, are presented in the chart below. An RCE represents a natural gas customer with annual consumption of 100 mmbtu or an electricity customer with annual consumption of 10 MWh. Because different customers have different rates of energy consumption, RCEs are an industry standard metric for evaluating the consumption profile of a given retail customer base.
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | June 30, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCEs at end of quarter: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity customers | 181 | 174 | 185 | 182 | 189 | ||||||||||||||
| Natural gas customers | 81 | 77 | 77 | 78 | 71 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RCEs | 262 | 251 | 262 | 260 | 260 |
RCEs slightly decreased 0.8% at December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021 primarily due to the "strategic pause" on customer acquisition and transfer of some customers to their underlying customers as discussed above.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin Percentage. GRE’s cost of revenues and gross margin percentage were as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Electricity | $ | 106,382 | $ | 198,483 | $ | (92,101 | ) | (46.4 | )% | |||||||
| Natural gas | 44,608 | 22,468 | 22,140 | 98.5 | ||||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues | $ | 150,990 | $ | 220,951 | $ | (69,961 | ) | (31.7 | )% |
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | |||||||||
| Gross margin percentage: | |||||||||||
| Electricity | 56.0% | 27.3% | 28.7% | ||||||||
| Natural gas | 28.2% | 42.1% | -13.9% | ||||||||
| Total gross margin percentage | 50.3% | 29.1% | 21.2% |
Cost of revenues for electricity decreased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily because of decreases in the electricity consumption in the average unit cost of electricity. The average unit cost of electricity decreased by 19.6% in 2022 compared to 2021. Electricity consumption by GRE's REPs' customers decreased by 33.4% in 2022 compared to 2021. A significant portion of the decrease in the average cost of electricity is due to the favorable results of hedging activities in 2022 compared to 2021 and the incremental cost incurred in 2022 from the effect of a major winter storm in Texas as discussed above. The gross margin on electricity increased in 2022 compared to 2021, because the average rate charged to customers increased while the average unit cost of electricity decreased.
Cost of revenues for natural gas increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily because of increases in total natural gas consumption and average unit cost of natural gas. Natural gas consumption by GRE’s REPs’ customers increased by 33.4% in 2022 compared to 2021. The average unit cost of natural gas increased 48.8% in 2022 compared to 2021. Gross margin on natural gas sales decreased in 2022 compared to 2021 because the increase in the average rate charged to customers increased less than the average unit cost of natural gas.
Selling, General and Administrative.The increase in selling, general and administrative expense in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to increases in marketing and customer acquisition costs, provision for doubtful accounts and costs related to POR programs and employee-related costs partially offset by a decrease in legal settlement costs. Marketing and customer acquisition expenses increased by $3.7 million in 2022 compared to 2021 as a result of an increase in spending in our commercial business and to offset the effect of COVID-19 related public health restrictions to transitional customer acquisition methods partially offset by the decrease in residential customer meter acquisition. Employee-related expenses slightly increased by $0.6 million in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to an increase share based compensation expenses. Provision for doubtful accounts and costs related to POR programs decreased by $0.7 million in 2022 compared to 2021 as a result of expansion of activities in non-POR markets. As discussed above, Residents Energy and Town Square energy paid $0.8 million in legal settlements in Connecticut in 2021. No legal settlements were paid in 2022. As a percentage of GRE’s total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 19.9% in 2022 from 18.0% in 2021.
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Genie Renewables
The Genie Renewables (formerly GES) segment is composed of Genie Solar, CityCom Solar, Diversegy and Prism, in which we hold a60.0% controlling interest. Genie Solar is an integrated solar energy company. CityComm Solar is a marketer of community solar energy solutions. Diversegy provides energy brokerage and advisory services to commercial customers. Prism provides energy brokerage and advisory services to commercial customers.
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 11,567 | $ | 7,508 | $ | 4,059 | 54.1 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 9,767 | 4,725 | 5,042 | 106.7 | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,800 | 2,783 | (983 | ) | (35.3 | ) | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 5,328 | 2,531 | 2,797 | 110.5 | ||||||||||||
| (Loss) income from operations | $ | (3,528 | ) | $ | 252 | $ | (3,780 | ) | nm | % |
nm — not meaningful
Revenue. Genie Renewables' revenues increased in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in revenues was the result of increases in the activities of Genie Solar projects and commissions from selling third-party products to customers by CityCom Solar.Revenues from Diversegy include commissions, entry fees and other fees from our energy brokerage and marketing services businesses.
Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenues increased by 106.7% in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in cost revenues reflects the increase in revenues of Genie Solar and CityCom Solar. Cost of revenue related to Diversegy included commissions incurred by our energy brokerage and marketing services businesses.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to increases in headcount in Genie Solar and Diversegy and consulting fees at Genie Solar.
Corporate
As discussed above, the remaining accounts of GREI International were transferred to the corporate starting in the third quarter of 2022, which includes accounts of Genie Japan before we sold our stake in May 2021. The revenues and cost of revenues in 2021 were generated from Genie Japan before it was sold. Other entities and activities under corporate do not generate any revenues, nor does they incur any cost of revenues. In addition to the costs related to the Genie Japan customers, corporate costs include unallocated compensation, consulting fees, legal fees, business development expense and other corporate-related general and administrative expense.
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | — | $ | 3,930 | $ | (3,930 | ) | (100.0 | )% | |||||||
| Cost of revenues | — | 5,955 | (5,955 | ) | (100.0 | ) | ||||||||||
| Gross loss | — | (2,025 | ) | 2,025 | (100.0 | ) | ||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 9,209 | 8,833 | 376 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 2,066 | — | 2,066 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | $ | (11,275 | ) | $ | (10,858 | ) | $ | (417 | ) | 3.8 |
In January 2021, weather volatility and the lack of adequate gas reserves drove the prices on the Japan Electric Power Exchange to $2,390 per megawatt hour for an extended period of time. Although our supply commitment for our customers in Japan was hedged reasonably for expected winter weather conditions, the extreme price spike exposed us to further unexpected cost increases. The impact on our 2021 consolidated result of operations was approximately $2.5 million.
On April 26, 2021, we entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement ("Purchase Agreement") with Hanhwa Q Cells Japan Co., Ltd. ("Hanhwa"), pursuant to which, we agreed to sell our interest in Genie Japan for ¥570.0 million (equivalent to approximately $5.3 million at April 26, 2021) subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement. On May 11, 2021, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of Purchase Agreement, we completed the divestiture of Genie Japan for an aggregate cash consideration of ¥570.0 million (equivalent to approximately $5.2 million at May 11, 2021). Hanhwa also assumed the outstanding loans payable of Genie Japan. We paid $0.6 million of commission to certain former employees of Genie Japan and recognized a pre-tax gain of $4.2 million from the divestiture. For the period from January 1, 2021 to May 11, 2021, Genie Japan had revenues and cost of revenues of $3.9 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
The increase in Corporate general and administrative expenses in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due increases in employee related cost and stock-based compensation expenses. As a percentage of our consolidated revenues, corporate general and administrative expenses slightly increased from 2.7% in 2021 to 2.9% in 2022.
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In December 2022, the Company suspended the development of business operations of Petrocycle, Ltd. ("Petrocycle"), a preoperating entity engaged in the development of a process to recycle used engine oil into usable gasoline, after it was determined that the current operations will not meet the expected results. Petrocycle provided full impairment of its property and equipment and notes and other receivables from its minority interest partner for an aggregate amount of $2.1 million
Consolidated
Selling, General and Administrative. Stock-based compensation expense included in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense was $3.0 million and $2.9 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022, aggregate unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation was $3.4 million. The unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized over the average service period of 1.4 years.
As a percentage of our consolidated revenues, selling, general and administrative expense increased from 20.9% in 2021 to 23.8% in 2022.
The following is a discussion of our consolidated income and expense line items below loss from operations.
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 77,754 | $ | 24,089 | $ | 53,665 | 222.8 | % | ||||||||
| Interest income | 835 | 34 | 801 | nm | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (129 | ) | (427 | ) | 298 | 69.8 | ||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on marketable equity securities and investments | (417 | ) | (4,970 | ) | 4,553 | 91.6 | ||||||||||
| Gain on sale of subsidiary | — | 4,226 | (4,226 | ) | nm | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | (520 | ) | 707 | (1,227 | ) | (173.6 | ) | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (21,037 | ) | (7,522 | ) | (13,515 | ) | (179.7 | ) | ||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations | 56,486 | 16,137 | 40,349 | 250.0 | ||||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax | 30,445 | 11,705 | 18,740 | (160.1 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net income | 86,931 | 27,842 | 59,089 | 212.2 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 874 | 1,372 | (498) | (36.3 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Genie Energy Ltd. | $ | 87,805 | $ | 29,214 | $ | 58,591 | 200.6 | % |
nm — not meaningful
Unrealized loss on marketable equity securities and investments. The unrealized loss on marketable equity securities and investments in 2021 primarily pertains to the change in fair value of the Company's investments in common stock of Rafael Holdings, Inc. ("Rafael") which the Company acquired in December 2020.
Gain on sale of subsidiary. The gain on sale of subsidiary in 2021 pertains to the gain recognized related to the sale of Genie Japan in May 2021.
Other Income, net.Other expense, net in 2022 and 2021, consisted primarily of foreign currency transactions gains and losses.
Provision for Income Taxes. The increase in provision for income tax in 2022 compared to 2021 is primarily due to increases in the amount of taxable income in the various taxing jurisdictions. Income before income taxes increased to $77.5 million in 2022 compared to $23.7 million in 2021.
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Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. The decrease in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in net loss of Citizens Choice ("CCE"), partially offset by the increase in share in noncontrolling interest in the net income of Lumo Sweden and Lumo Finland.
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in 2022 pertains to the results of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in 2021 pertains to the results of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden as well Orbit which we discontinued in fourth quarter of 2021.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
General
We currently expect that our cash flows from operations in the next twelve months and the $98.6 million balance of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents that we held at December 31, 2022 will be sufficient to meet our currently anticipated cash requirements for at least the period from January 1, 2023 to March 16, 2024.
At December 31, 2022, we had working capital (current assets less current liabilities) $127.4.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Cash flows provided by (used in): | ||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 66,004 | $ | 23,715 | ||||
| Investing activities | (5,234 | ) | 2,687 | |||||
| Financing activities | (25,523 | ) | (5,675 | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and cash equivalents | 17 | (30 | ) | |||||
| Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations | 35,264 | 20,697 | ||||||
| Cash flows (used in) provided by discontinued operations | (29,408 | ) | 44,667 | |||||
| Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 5,856 | $ | 65,364 |
Operating Activities
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash provided by continuing operating activities were $66.0 million and $23.7 million in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net income from continuing operations after non-cash adjustments increased to $64.3 million in 2022 compared to $21.3 million in 2021. The increase is primarily the result of favorable results of continuing operations in 2022 compared 2021.
Our cash flow from operations varies significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year, depending on our operating results and the timing of operating cash receipts and payments, specifically trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable. Changes in working capital increased cash flows by $0.3 million for 2022, compared to 2021. Changes in other assets decreased cash flows by $1.0 million for 2022, compared to 2021.
Certain of GRE's REPs are party to an Amended and Restated Preferred Supplier Agreement with BP, which is to be in effect through November 30, 2023. Under the agreement, the REPs purchase electricity and natural gas at market rate plus a fee. The obligations to BP are secured by a first security interest in deposits or receivables from utilities in connection with their purchase of the REP’s customer’s receivables, and in any cash deposits or letters of credit posted in connection with any collateral accounts with BP. The ability to purchase electricity and natural gas under this agreement is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions including the maintenance of certain covenants. At December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with such covenants. At December 31, 2022, restricted cash—short-term of $0.5 million and trade accounts receivable of $47.0 million were pledged to BP as collateral for the payment of trade accounts payable to BP of $16.7 million at December 31, 2022.
39
We had purchase commitments of $114.3 million at December 31, 2022, of which $91.8 million was for purchases of electricity.
From time to time, we receive inquiries or requests for information or materials from public utility commissions or other governmental regulatory or law enforcement agencies related to investigations under statutory or regulatory schemes, and we respond to those inquiries or requests. We cannot predict whether any of those matters will lead to claims or enforcement actions.
Investing Activities
Our capital expenditures were $1.0 million and $0.1 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures in 2022 compared to 2021 is due to construction in progress in Genie Solar. We currently anticipate that our total capital expenditures in the year ending December 31, 2023 will be between $15.0 million and $20.0 million mostly related to the solar projects of Genie Renewables.
On February 21, 2022, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement to extend up to 5.5 million New Israel Shekel, or NIS (equivalent to $1.5 million as at December 31, 2022) with Natan Ohayon (the "Ohayon Loan"). Natan Ohayon holds a minority interest in Petrocycle. The Ohayon Loan, which is secured by all assets that Mr. Ohayon acquired using the proceeds of the loan bears a minimum interest as set by the Income Tax Regulations of Israel (3.23% in 2022) and is due, together with the principal amount on or before December 31, 2023. As discussed above, in fourth quarter of 2022, we recorded a full impairment on the Ohayon Loan.
In 2022 and 2021, we acquired minimal interests in various ventures for an aggregate amount of investments of $2.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Orbit transferred to GEIC a net amount of $49.7 million from the proceeds of the settlement of the contact with Shell which is included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021. In January 2022, we transferred $21.5 million to the Administrators of Orbit to fund the settlement of the expected remaining liabilities of Orbit of $30.8 million, which were included in the current liabilities of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021. In February 2022, we deposited $28.3 million into an attorney trust account to hold, preserve, and dispense funds to the extent needed in connection with the administration process. On February 24, 2022, the Administrators filed a petition under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York seeking (i) recognition of the U.K. administration proceeding as a foreign main proceeding and the U.K. Administrators as its foreign representatives, and (ii) entrusting distribution of the funds the Company deposited into its attorney’s trust fund to the U.K. Administrators. In the second quarter of 2022, the Administrators filed an application to transfer the funds back to the Administrators’ control in the U.K. Subject to certain representations and expectations regarding use and application of the funds to efficiently and expeditiously pay off creditors and bring a timely close to the insolvency administration, we did not oppose the application, and the Court transferred the $28.3 million to the Administrator. In August 2022, the Administrator paid the Company a partial return of its interest in Orbit of £4.6 million (equivalent to $5.4 million). We believe that the remaining funds held by the Administrator are more than sufficient to pay any remaining creditors of Orbit (with any surplus, which we expect to be significant, to be returned to us).
On May 11, 2021, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, we completed the divestiture of Genie Japan for an aggregate consideration of ¥570.0 million (equivalent to approximately $5.2 million at May 11, 2021). We paid $0.6 million of commission to certain former employees of Genie Japan and included $0.1 million of cash in the assets transferred to the buyer for a net proceed of $4.5 million.
In December 2020, we invested $5.0 million in Class B common stock of Rafael Holdings, Inc. ("Rafael"), a publicly-traded company, that is a related party. In connection with the purchase, Rafael issued to us warrants to purchase an additional 43,649 of Rafael's Class B common stock with an exercise price of $22.91 per share. The warrants had a term expiring on June 6, 2022. We exercised the warrants in full on March 31, 2021 for a total exercise price of $1.0 million. We do not exercise significant influence over the operating or financial policies of Rafael.
40
Financing Activities
In each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we paid aggregate cash Base Dividends of $0.6376 per share on our Series 2012-A Preferred Stock. The aggregate preferred stock Base Dividends paid in 2022 and 2021 were $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. On December 31, 2021, the Company accrued Additional Dividends of $0.0848 per share on its Preferred Stock, equal to an aggregate of $0.2 million, in respect of the GRE results of operations through December 31, 2021, which the Company paid in May 2023. See the description of our Series 2021-A Preferred Stock below. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company accrued Additional Dividends of $0.5301 per share on its Preferred Stock, equal to an aggregate of $0.5 million, in respect of the GRE results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. which is expected to be paid around May 15, 2023.
On February 15, 2023, we paid a quarterly Base Dividend of $0.1594 per share on our Series 2012-A Preferred Stock for the fourth quarter of 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 7, 2023.
In March 2021, in light of the losses incurred from the effects of the events in Texas and Japan discussed above, the Company suspended the payment of quarterly dividends on its common stock to rebuild its cash position.
On February 7, 2022, the Board of Directors reversed its earlier suspension of quarterly dividends and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share on our Class a common stock and Class B Common Stock. In year ended December 31, 2022, we paid an aggregate dividends of $0.30 per share to stockholders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The Company paid $7.7 million in aggregate dividends on our common stock for the year ended December 31, 2022.
On March 1, 2023, the Company paid a $0.075 per share of its Class A common Stock and Class B common stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2023.
On March 11, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of 7.0 million shares of our Class B common stock. In 2022, we acquired 639,393 shares of Class B common stock under the stock purchase program for an aggregate amount of 4.4 million. In 2021, we acquired 622,922 Class B common stock under the repurchase program for an aggregate amount of $3.8 million. At December 31, 2022, 4.7 million shares remained available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program.
On February 7, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $1.0 million per quarter or our Preferred Stock at the liquidation preference of $8.50 per share beginning in the second quarter of 2022. On May 3, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized to the redemption of $2.0 million of our Preferred Stock during the second quarter of 2022. In the year ended December 31, 2022, we redeemed 1,339,341 shares of our Preferred Stock under the stock purchase program for an aggregate amount of $11.4 million.
In May 2022, a holder of common stock warrants exercised 209,644 common stock warrants through a cashless exercise and the Company issued 72,657 common shares with the remaining 136,987 warrants being cancelled to settle the exercise price.
On May 13, 2020, Genie Japan entered into a Loan Agreement with Tokyo Star Bank for a ¥150.0 million (equivalent to $1.4 million) short-term credit facility ("May 2020 Loan") with maturity date of November 13, 2020. On November 13, 2020, Genie Japan and Tokyo Star Bank amended the May 2020 Loan to extend the maturity date to March 13, 2021. Genie Japan provided a letter of credit issued by JPMorgan Chase in the amount of ¥150.0 million (equivalent to $1.4 million) as collateral. The outstanding principal amount incurred interest at 3.0% per annum and was payable monthly. In May 2021, the Company completed the divestiture of Genie Japan including balance of the May 2020 Loan.
On December 13, 2018, we entered into a Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (“Credit Agreement”). On December 27, 2022, the Company entered into the third amendment of its existing Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date of December 31, 2023. The aggregate principal amount was reduced of $3.0 million credit line facility (“Credit Line”). The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.1% per annum on unused portion of the Credit Line as specified in the Credit Agreement. The borrowed amounts will be in the form of letters of credit which will bear interest of 1.0% per annum. The Company will also pay a fee for each letter of credit that is issued equal to the greater of $500 or 1.0% of the original maximum available amount of the letter of credit. We agreed to deposit cash in a money market account at JPMorgan Chase Bank as collateral for the line of credit equal to $3.1 million. As of December 31, 2022, there is no issued letter of credit from the Credit Line. At December 31, 2022, the cash collateral of $5.2 million was included in restricted cash—short-term in the consolidated balance sheet.
41
In 2022, we paid $0.6 million to repurchase 60,342 shares of our Class B common stock, and, in 2021, we paid $0.3 million to repurchase 62,008 shares of our Class B common stock tendered by our employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the lapsing of restrictions on awards of restricted stock. Such shares were repurchased by us based on their fair market value on the trading day immediately prior to the vesting date.
Series 2012-A Preferred Stock
At December 31, 2022, there were 2.3 million shares of our Series 2012-A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding with an aggregate liquidation preference of $19.7 million. Each share of our Series 2012-A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $8.50 (the “Liquidation Preference”), and is entitled to receive an annual dividend per share equal to the sum of (i) $0.6375 (the “Base Dividend”) plus (ii) seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the amount by which the EBITDA for a fiscal year of our retail energy provider business exceeds $32 million by (B) 8,750,000 (the “Additional Dividend”), payable in cash. EBITDA consists of income (loss) from operations exclusive of depreciation and amortization and other operating gains (losses).
The Series 2012-A Preferred Stock is redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option following October 11, 2017 at 101% of the Liquidation Preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, and 100% of the Liquidation Preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends following October 11, 2018.
During any period when we have failed to pay a dividend on the Series 2012-A Preferred Stock and until all unpaid dividends have been paid in full, we are prohibited from paying dividends or distributions on our Class B or Class A common stock.
The Base Dividend is payable (if declared by our Board of Directors, and accrued, if not declared) quarterly on each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, and to the extent that there is any Additional Dividend payable with respect to a fiscal year, it will be paid to holders of Series 2012-A Preferred Stock with the May dividend. With respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series 2012-A Preferred Stock is equal in rank to all other equity securities we issue, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the Series 2012-A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; senior to our common stock; and junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness.
Each share of Series 2012-A Preferred Stock has the same voting rights as a share of Class B common stock, except on certain matters that only impact our common stock, as well as additional voting rights on specific matters or upon the occurrence of certain events.
Cash flows from discontinued operations
Cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations was $14.7 million in 2022 compared to $44.7 million in 2021. The cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations in 2022 includes favorable results of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden. while the amount in 2021, includes cash flows from Lumo Sweden, Lumo Finland and Orbit, including the gain from unwinding of the contract of Orbit with Shell as discussed above. Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations was $45.7 million in 2022. The investing activities of discontinued operations in 2022 is due to the transfer of cash proceeds from unwinding of the contract of Orbit with Shell to the Administrators of Orbit in the first quarter of 2022 to settle its liabilities, net of cash received from the Administrators during the second half of 2022.
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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
The following table quantifies our future contractual obligations and other commercial commitments at December 31, 2022:
Payments Due by Period
| (amounts in millions) | Total | Less than 1 year | 1 – 3 years | 4 – 5 years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase obligations | $ | 91,796 | $ | 70,188 | $ | 21,608 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
| Renewable energy credits purchase obligations | 22,541 | 18,156 | 4,385 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 3,175 | 383 | 627 | 549 | 1,616 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities (1)(2) | 30 | 30 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| TOTAL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS | $ | 117,542 | $ | 88,757 | $ | 26,620 | $ | 549 | $ | 1,616 |
| (1) | The above table does not include the financing made available to New Atid of up to $0.4 million due to the uncertainty of the amount and/or timing of any financing to be provided. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The above table does not include an aggregate of $15.3 million in performance bonds at December 31, 2022 due to the uncertainty of the amount and/or timing of any payments. |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any “off-balance sheet arrangements,” as defined in relevant SEC regulations that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, other than the following. GRE has performance bonds issued through a third party for the benefit of certain utility companies and for various states in order to comply with the states’ financial requirements for retail energy providers. At December 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding aggregate performance bonds of $15.3 million and minimal amount of unused letters of credit.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
For information concerning climate change, see "Climate change" in Item I.
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