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EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - Power REITFinancial_Report.xls
EX-12.1 - Power REITpw_ex121.htm
EX-31.1 - Power REITexhibit31.1.txt
EX-32.1 - Power REITexhibit32.1.txt
EX-31.2 - Power REITexhibit31.2.txt


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

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

000-54560
(Commission File Number)

POWER REIT
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
45-3116572
(State of Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
301 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY
11804
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(212) 750-0373
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

______________________________N/A_________________________________
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

Yes þ                      No o

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

Yes þ                      No o

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                                Smaller reporting company                   þ

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

Yes o                     No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

1,676,955 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value, outstanding at September 30, 2013.
 


 
 
 
 
 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.
 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
REVENUE
                       
   Interest income from capital lease - railroad
  $ 229     $ 229     $ 686     $ 686  
   Rental revenue
    22       -       67       -  
TOTAL REVENUE
    251       229       753       686  
EXPENSES
                               
   General and administrative
    124       69       328       354  
   Property tax
    2       -       7       -  
   Acquisition costs
    49       -       49       -  
   Interest
    38       -       62       -  
   Litigation
    220       142       701       366  
TOTAL EXPENSES
    433       211       1,146       720  
                                 
NET (LOSS) INCOME
    (181 )     18       (393 )     (34 )
                                 
(Loss) Earnings per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.11 )   $ 0.01     $ (0.24 )   $ (0.02 )
Assuming dilution
    (0.11 )     0.01       (0.24 )     (0.02 )
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                               
Basic share count
    1,651,085       1,623,250       1,636,869       1,623,250  
Diluted share count
    1,659,290       1,628,321      
1,676,971
      1,635,660  
                                 
Cash dividend per common share
    -     $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.30  
 
Amounts may not add due to rounding. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
   
(Unaudited)
September 30,
2013
   
(Audited)
December 31,
2012
 
ASSETS
           
Land
  $ 2,606     $ 1,056  
Net investment in capital lease – railroad
    9,150       9,150  
    Total real estate assets
    11,756       10,206  
Cash and cash equivalents
    314       366  
Other receivables
    -       11  
Deposits
    -       -  
Prepaid expenses
    22       6  
Other assets
    140       49  
    Total assets
  $ 12,232     $ 10,637  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Deferred revenue
  $ 8     $ 14  
Accounts payable
    555       341  
Accrued interest
    27       -  
Current portion of long-term debt
    29       12  
Long-term debt, related party
    1,650       800  
Long-term debt
    862       127  
Equity:                
common shares, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 authorized;                
1,676,955 and 1,653,250 issued and outstanding                  
    as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
    10,447       10,113  
   Accumulated deficit
    (1,317 )     (759 )
Total equity
    9,130       9,354  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 12,232     $ 10,637  
 
Amounts may not add due to rounding. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
   Net Loss
  $ (393 )   $ (33 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
   Decrease in other receivables
    11       -  
   Increase in prepaid assets
    (16 )     (86 )
   Increase in deposits
    -       (40 )
   Increase in other assets
    (91 )     -  
   Decrease in deferred revenue
    (6 )     -  
   Increase in accrued interest
    27       -  
   Increase in accounts payable
    214       39  
   Stock-based compensation
    114       14  
CASH FLOWS USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    (140 )     (106 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
               
   Proceeds from debt issuance
    1,584       -  
   Net proceeds from equity issuance
    219       -  
   Dividends paid
    (165 )     (325 )
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    1,638       (325 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
               
    Acquisition of land
    (1,550 )     -  
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (1,550 )     -  
                 
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (52 )     (431 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    366       982  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 314     $ 551  
 
Amounts may not add due to rounding. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements:

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013.

1. General Information

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for and the financial condition as of the end of the interim periods presented.

Power REIT (“we,” "Registrant," or "Trust") has elected to be treated for tax purposes as a real estate investment trust (REIT). It is the Trust's policy to distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to its shareholders in order to maintain its REIT status.  All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

As of September 30, 2013, the Trust’s consolidated leased assets consisted of assets held by its wholly-owned subsidiaries Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad (“P&WV”), PW Salisbury Solar, LLC (“PWSS”) and PW Tulare Solar, LLC (“PWTS”).  The Trust's revenue is highly concentrated, with lease payments from the lessor of P&WV’s assets representing approximately 91% of its consolidated revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.
 
P&WV is a business trust organized under the laws of Pennsylvania for the purpose of owning and managing its railroad properties, the entirety of which are currently leased to Norfolk Southern Railway (“NSC”) pursuant to a 99-year lease that commenced in 1964 with indefinite 99-year renewal options on the same economic current terms at NSC’s option ("Railroad Lease").  P&WV's leased properties consist of a railroad line 112 miles in length, extending from Connellsville, Washington and Allegheny Counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Brooke County in the State of West Virginia, and Jefferson and Harrison Counties in the State of Ohio, to Pittsburgh Junction, Harrison County, State of Ohio.  There are also branch lines that total 20 miles in length located in Washington County and Allegheny County in Pennsylvania and Brooke County, West Virginia.  NSC pays P&WV base cash rent of $915,000, payable in quarterly installments.  In addition, NSC is responsible for additional rent payments, including additional rent payments to reimburse P&WV for tax obligations (other than those arising from the payment of base rent) and other amounts.

PWSS is a Massachusetts limited liability company that owns approximately 54 acres of land leased to an operational solar farm.  Pursuant to the lease agreement, PWSS’ tenant is required to pay PWSS rent of $80,800 in cash for the year December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013, with a 1.0% escalation in each corresponding year thereafter.  Rent is payable quarterly in advance and will be recorded on a straight-line basis, with $89,494 to be recorded during the year ending December 31, 2013.  At the end of the twenty-two year lease, which commenced on December 1, 2011 prior to being assumed by PWSS, the tenant has renewal options with terms to be mutually agreed upon.

PWTS is a California limited liability company that owns approximately 100 acres of land leased to in-construction solar farms located near Fresno, California.  The acquisition was structured to provide monthly rent payments from the seller of the land until PWTS’ solar farm tenants achieve commercial operations.  Upon achieving commercial operations, PWTS’ solar farm tenants will be obligated to pay rent of $157,500 in cash, annually in advance and without escalation.  PWTS expects its tenant solar farms to achieve commercial operations in early 2014.  At the end of the twenty-five year leases, which commenced in March 2013 prior to being assumed by PWTS, the tenants have renewal options with terms to be mutually agreed.   During the third quarter, PWTS did not contribute towards the Trust’s consolidated revenue.

 
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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of PresentationThe Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").
 
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of a money market fund reported in the consolidated balance sheet at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
 
Prepaid Expenses. The Trust records an asset for prepaid expenses that are expected to provide the Trust with benefits over a period of one year or longer, and amortizes the amount over the applicable service period.

Deposits.  The Trust places cash deposits from time to time with transaction or financing counterparties.  During the third quarter of 2013, a deposit of $5,000 previously placed with a bank in the second quarter was applied towards the closing costs related to PWSS’ $750,000 term loan (See Note 3).

Other Assets. During 2012, the Trust capitalized approximately $45,000 of expenses related to its shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and $4,000 of expenses related to a bridge loan.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Trust capitalized approximately $68,000 of expenses related to a prospectus supplement to its S-3 shelf registration statement. The Trust expects to amortize the capitalized expenses related to it shelf registration statement and prospectus supplement proportionately based on the amount of securities issued (See Note 4 – Shelf Registration Statement and ATM Equity Offering).  Remaining capitalized expenses of approximately $2,000 related to the December 2012 bridge loan were expensed during the third quarter as part of a refinancing.  During the third quarter, approximately $27,000 of expenses was capitalized related to PWSS’ term loan, which will be amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the loan.
 
Land. Land is carried at cost. Newly acquired investments in land with in-place leases are accounted for as business combinations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 “Business Combinations.” Upon the acquisition of land, management assesses the fair value of acquired assets (including land, improvements, and identified intangibles such as above and below market leases and acquired in-place leases) and acquired and assumed liabilities (if any) and allocates the acquisition price based on these assessments. Newly acquired investments in land without in-place leases are recorded at cost (including costs related to the acquisition of the land).

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

Operating Leases. Lease revenue from land that is subject to an operating lease with rent escalation provisions is recorded by the Trust on a straight-line basis when the amount of escalation in lease payments is known at the time the Trust enters into a lease agreement or known at the time the Trust assumes an existing lease agreement as part of a land acquisition (e.g. an annual fixed percentage escalation).

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

  
Level 1—valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, or interest in open-end mutual funds that allow a company to sell its ownership interest back at net asset value on a daily basis. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets, liabilities or funds.

  
Level 2—valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active and yield on debt that the company has recently received. Level 2 includes U.S. Treasury, U.S. government and agency debt securities, and certain corporate obligations. Valuations are usually obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

  
Level 3—valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, such as option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities.

In determining fair value, the Trust utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considering counterparty credit risk.
 
 
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The carrying amounts of the Trust’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, deposits, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their relatively short maturity. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

September 30, 2013
($ in Thousands)
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets
                       
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
  $ 314     $ -     $ -     $ 314  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 314     $ -     $ -     $ 314  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Long-term debt, related party
  $ -     $ 1,650     $ -     $ 1,650  
Long-term debt
  $ -     $ 862     $ -     $ 862  
Total long-term debt at fair value
  $ -     $ 2,512     $ -     $ 2,512  
___________
 (1) Comprises money market funds, which are included in Cash & Cash Equivalents in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
December 31, 2012
($ in Thousands)
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets
                       
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
  $ 366     $ -     $ -     $ 366  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 366     $ -     $ -     $ 366  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Long-term debt, related party
  $ -     $ 800     $ -     $ 800  
Long-term debt
  $ -     $ 127     $ -     $ 127  
Total long-term debt at fair value
  $ -     $ 927     $ -     $ 927  
___________
(1) Comprises money market funds, which are included in Cash & Cash Equivalents in the accompanying balance sheet.

For financial assets that utilize Level 1 inputs, the Trust utilizes both direct and indirect observable price quotes, including quoted market prices (Level 1 inputs).

3. Long-term Debt

On July 12, 2013, PWTS borrowed $1,650,000 from Hudson Bay Partners, L.P. (“HBP”), a wholly-owned affiliate of David H. Lesser, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, in the form of an A note and a B Note (the “Notes”), to fund the acquisition of property located near Fresno, California.  The A note has a principal balance of $1,155,000 and carries an interest rate of 5.0% during the first six months, stepping up to 8.5% thereafter.  The B note has a principal balance of $495,000 and carries an interest rate of 9.5% during the first six months, stepping up to 13.0% thereafter.  Both notes have an eighteen-month maturity and require interest only payments at six-month intervals or upon a prepayment.  In addition to a first lien mortgage on PWTS's property, the notes are also secured by a parent guarantee from the Trust.

On July 5, 2013, PWSS borrowed $750,000 from a regional bank (the “PWSS Term Loan”) to refinance a bridge loan that had been extended to PWSS by HBP in connection with PWSS’ acquisition of leased property in December 2012.  The PWSS Term Loan carries a fixed interest rate of 5.0%, a term of 10-years and amortizes based on a twenty-year principal amortization schedule.  In addition to being secured by PWSS’s real estate assets, the term loan is secured by a parent guarantee from the Trust.

On December 31, 2012, as part of the Salisbury land acquisition, PWSS assumed existing municipal financing ("Municipal Debt").  The Municipal Debt has approximately 18 years remaining.  The Municipal Debt has a simple interest rate of 5.0% that is paid annually, with the next payment due February 1, 2014.  The balance of the Municipal Debt as of September 30, 2013 is approximately $115,000. 

The approximate amount of principal payments remaining on Power REIT’s long-term debt as of September 30, 2013 is described below:

   
Long-term Debt
($ thousands)
 
2013
  $ 6  
2014
    30  
2015
    1,681  
2016
    32  
2017
    33  
Thereafter
    730  
 
 
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4. Shelf Registration Statement and ATM Equity Offering

On May 11, 2012 the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") declared effective Power REIT’s $100 million shelf registration statement on Form S-3. Under the registration statement, the Trust may from time to time issue any combination of common or preferred equity or equity linked securities (warrants, options or units) in any amounts up to an aggregate of $100 million.

On March 28, 2013, the Trust entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (“ATM Agreement”) with MLV & Co. LLC, as its agent, and filed a prospectus supplement to its shelf registration statement, pursuant to which the Trust may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $5.4 million of common shares.  The Trust expects to offer and sell common shares under the "at-the-market" offering from time to time. The net proceeds of offerings under the prospectus supplement are intended to be used to acquire real property infrastructure assets through one or more subsidiaries, partnerships or joint ventures formed to acquire or finance such assets. We may also use proceeds to retire all or a portion of any debt we may incur or have incurred, or for working capital purposes, including the payment of distributions, interest, and operating expenses, including legal expenses.  Under the terms of the ATM Agreement, the Trust pays to MLV fees equal to 3% of the gross proceeds of any sales made under the prospectus supplement.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Trust did not sell any shares under pursuant to the ATM Agreement.   During the nine-months ended September 30, 2013, the Trust sold 22,105 common shares through “at-the-market” offerings, receiving net cash proceeds after fees and expenses, of approximately $222,000.  In connection with the equity sold during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, the Trust amortized approximately $3,000 of previously capitalized expenses related to its shelf registration statement and prospectus supplement.

5. Long-term Compensation

The Trust grants awards pursuant to its 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was approved at the Trust’s 2012 annual shareholders’ meeting.  The Plan provides for grants of stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and other equity incentive awards to employees, officers and other persons providing services to us and our subsidiaries, including outside directors.  Common stock may be awarded under the Plan until it is terminated or until the ten-year anniversary of the Plan. As of September 30, 2013, 2,400 common shares remain authorized and available for issuance.

Summary of Activity

The following is a summary of Plan activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, with respect to the Company’s stock options:

   
Number of
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
    166,000       7.96  
Plan Awards
    -       -  
Exercised
    -       -  
Forfeited
    -       -  
Balance as of September 30, 2013
    166,000       7.96  
Options Exercisable as of September 30, 2013
    55,334       7.96  
 
The following is a summary of Plan activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, with respect to the Company’s restricted stock:

   
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
    30,000     $ 7.96  
Plan Awards
    1,600       10.40  
Vested
    10,800       8.14  
Forfeited
    -       -  
Balance as of September 30, 2013
    20,800       8.05  

 
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The initial term of each option granted under the Plan is 10 years.  Options and restricted stock with a vesting period longer than one year vest over the service period as follows: 33 1/3% on the first-year anniversary of the grant, 33 1/3% on the second-year anniversary of the grant and 33 1/3% on the third-year anniversary of the grant.   Restricted stock with a vesting period of one year or less, vest quarterly.  The Trust recognizes share-based payment expenses based on grant date fair values and market closing prices.  Restricted stock is valued based on the market price of common stock on the grant date.  Options are valued using the binomial option pricing model, using the following assumptions to estimate fair value:

Expected Volatility
    21.38 %
Expected Dividend Yield
    4.99 %
Expected Term (in years)
    6.0  
Risk-Free Interest Rate
    0.79 %
Estimate of Forfeiture Rate
    10.0 %

The Trust uses historical data to estimate expected volatility and expected dividend yield and the “simplified approach” as described in the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin #107 and #110 to determine the expected term.  The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve on the grant date.   The Trust does not have historical data of forfeiture and, as a policy, has used an estimate of the forfeiture rate in calculating unrecognized share-based compensation expense.  Compensation expenses may be adjusted in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from this assumption.

The Trust recorded approximately $56,000 and $114,000 of non-cash expense related to restricted stock and options previously granted under the Plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.   As of September 30, 2013 there was approximately $209,000 of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense, which expense will be recognized through August 2015, equating to an approximate weighted average amortization period of 2.0 years from the issuance date.  The Trust does not currently have a policy regarding the repurchase of shares on the open market related to equity awards and does not currently intend to acquire shares on the open market.

6. Legal Proceedings

Power REIT and its wholly-owned subsidiary, P&WV, are in litigation with NSC and NSC's sub-lessee, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad (“WLE” and, together with NSC, the "Litigants").  The case is pending in Federal Court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ("Court").  The Litigants initiated the litigation against Power REIT and P&WV in December 2011, seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment that NSC was not in default under the 99-year lease that NSC had entered into with P&WV effective in 1964. 
 
P&WV, as lessor, has asserted counterclaims seeking determinations that NSC is in default under the lease for, among other things, failing to reimburse certain legal fees incurred by P&WV, failing to permit P&WV to inspect NSC's books and records as called for under the terms of the lease and failing to pay other amounts that P&WV believes are due and owing. P&WV also seeks determinations from the Court declaring that (a) NSC's obligation to repay the indebtedness owed under the lease is not indefinite in duration, and (b) the indebtedness owed to P&WV is due on demand with interest.  If P&WV is successful in establishing that the lease is in default, it can terminate that lease and demand payment for the indebtedness owed to it from NSC.
       
According to records provided to P&WV by NSC, the indebtedness owed to P&WV is approximately $16,600,000 and $16,200,000 as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively.  P&WV believes these amounts have been understated by NSC.  The indebtedness owed to P&WV is the cumulative amount of additional rent and other sums that NSC owes to P&WV but has elected under its interpretation of the lease to satisfy via indebtedness rather than cash. These sums include amounts received by NSC from its disposition of P&WV's assets.  The indebtedness has not been reported in P&WV’s balance sheets as prepared under GAAP due to the dispute as to when these amounts are due.  Similarly, the amounts of additional rent that P&WV disputes are due on a current basis and have historically been treated as indebtedness by NSC and have not been included in P&WV's income statement or balance sheet prepared under GAAP; however, these additional rent amounts have historically been recorded as taxable income on P&WV’s tax returns.
 
As part of the litigation proceedings, Power REIT filed a motion prior to the initial conclusion of discovery requesting that it be dismissed from the litigation on the grounds that it is not in contractual privity with either of the Litigants.  The Litigants opposed Power REIT's motion to dismiss, alleging that Power REIT is a successor in interest to P&WV in regard to the lease.  Pursuant to applicable law, on a motion to dismiss, a court must accept as true all of the challenged allegations.  On this ground, the Court denied Power REIT's motion to dismiss. Power REIT believes there is no merit to the successor-in-interest allegation, and on September 13, 2013, following the initial conclusion of discovery, Power REIT filed a motion for summary judgment, that among other things, renewed its argument that it should be dismissed from the proceedings because there is no contractual privity between it and either of the Litigants. There can be no assurance that Power REIT will prevail on this motion.
 
 
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During the three months ended June 30, 2013, P&WV filed a motion to supplement its counterclaims with additional counterclaims.  These proposed counterclaims were filed after new evidence emerged concerning significant and previously undisclosed dispositions of P&WV's property by NSC and its sub-lessee, WLE. In its motion, P&WV states that the additional amount owed to P&WV exceeds $8 million, not including potential interest and damages.  P&WV also sought to supplement its claim for, among other things, additional amounts due, including for the reimbursement of legal fees related to the litigation.   On August 29, 2013, the Court granted leave to P&WV to supplement its counterclaims as requested.   Thereafter, the Litigants filed a motion to amend their complaint to add additional claims for declaratory judgment against both P&WV and Power REIT, seeking additional declarations from the Court that the Litigants have not defaulted on or violated the terms of the lease. The Litigants’ motion to amend is pending before the Court.

As of the date of this filing, fact and expert discovery have been completed with respect to the counterclaims that preceded P&WV’s recent supplement to its counterclaims.  Fact and expert discovery with respect to the recent supplemental counterclaims is expected to commence during the fourth quarter of 2013.

In connection with the litigation, P&WV incurred litigation expenses of approximately $220,000 and $701,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $142,000 and $366,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.  As of September 30, 2013, P&WV has incurred a total of approximately $1.4 million related to the litigation, of which approximately $930,000 has been paid and approximately $470,000 is payable to its law firms. P&WV believes that the costs associated with the litigation are reimbursable by NSC under the lease as additional rent, but NSC has refused to pay such amounts. P&WV is seeking to collect its costs from NSC as part of the litigation, but there can be no assurance that P&WV will prevail on this point.  Accordingly, litigation expenses are accrued and expensed as incurred.

As of the third quarter of 2013, during the pendency of the litigation, NSC has continued to make the quarterly base rental payments it owes P&WV under the lease ($228,750 per quarter). There can be no assurance that NSC will continue to make its base rent payments.

7. Subsequent Events

On November 6, 2013, Power REIT filed a preliminary prospectus supplement to its shelf registration statement in anticipation of commencing the offer and sale from time to time of up to 150,000 shares of 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $25.00.  As of the date of this filing, the Trust does not have any Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
 
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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements as statements containing the words "believe," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "project," "plan," "assume" or other similar expressions, or negatives of those expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements contained in this report regarding our future strategy, future operations, projected financial position, estimated future revenues, projected costs, future prospects, the future of our industries and results that might be obtained by pursuing management's current or future plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date of the filing of this report. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these matters or how they may affect us. Over time, our actual results, performance, financial condition or achievements may differ from the anticipated results, performance, financial condition or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such differences may be significant and materially adverse to our security holders.  Our forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date hereof, and we make no commitment to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information or subsequent events, circumstances or changes in expectations.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Power REIT (“we,” "Registrant" or "Trust") is a Maryland domiciled real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires and manages transportation,energy and other infrastructure real estate assets within the United States.  Within the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, Power REIT is focused on new acquisitions of real estate that is or will be leased to renewable energy generation projects, such as utility-scale wind farms and solar farms, with low or minimal technology risk. 
 
Power REIT is structured as a holding company and owns its assets through special purpose subsidiaries that hold real estate assets and generate lease revenue.  Power REIT was formed through a corporate reorganization of the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad ("P&WV") effected on December 2, 2011.  P&WV survived the reorganization as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power REIT. The Trust's business plan and infrastructure real estate-focused investment strategy builds upon P&WV’s historical ownership of railroad real estate assets, which are currently triple-net leased to Norfolk Southern Corporation ("NSC").
 
At September 30, 2013, Power REIT's assets consisted of railroad infrastructure and related real estate owned by P&WV and leased to NSC, and 150 acres of fee simple land that is owned by Power REIT’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, PW Salisbury Solar, LLC (“PWSS”) and PW Tulare Solar, LLC (“PWTS”) and leased to operating and in-construction solar farms.

All of P&WV's railroad real estate property is leased to NSC for 99 years pursuant to a lease that commenced in 1964, with unlimited renewals at NSC's option on the same terms.  The base rental is a fixed amount of $915,000 per year, with no provision for change during the term of the lease and any renewal periods.  Pursuant to the lease, NSC is responsible for all operations and maintenance of P&WV's property.
 
 
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During the fourth quarter of 2012, PWSS acquired approximately 54 acres of fee simple land located near Boston, Massachusetts and which is leased to an operational 5.7MW solar farm.   During the third quarter of 2013, PWTS acquired approximately 100 acres of fee simple land located near Fresno, California and which is leased to in-construction solar farms. PWTS’ leases provide for annual rent of $157,500, commencing with the operations dates of the solar projects, which are expected to occur during the first quarter of 2014.  The developer of the solar projects is paying interim monthly rent from  October 1, 2013 to the commercial operations date of the projects. At the lessee’s option, the PWTS leases can be extended at the end of the initial 25-year term at fair market rent, potentially taking the lease terms through 2048.

Power REIT continues to seek additional acquisitions of real estate leased or to be leased to renewable energy generation projects.

During the third quarter of 2013, P&WV’s revenues accounted for 91% of the consolidated revenues of Power REIT and PWSS’s revenue accounted for the remainder. PWTS did not contribute to revenue during the third quarter.  Power REIT expects PWTS to begin contributing to consolidated revenues during the fourth quarter of 2013, at which point it is expected that P&WV’s revenue contribution to Power REIT’s consolidated revenue shall decline to 79%.

Revenue during the third quarter of 2013 and third quarter of 2012 was approximately $251,000 and $229,000, respectively.  Net (loss) income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $(181,000) and 18,000, respectively.  The difference between our 2013 and 2012 third quarter results is principally attributable to the following: approximately $78,000 of increased litigation expenses related to the NSC litigation, which commenced at the end of 2011; increased revenue of approximately $22,000 due to the PWSS acquisition in December 2012, increased property tax and interest expense of approximately $40,000 due to the PWSS and PWTS acquisitions; acquisition expenses of approximately $49,000 related to the PWTS acquisition which were expensed and not capitalized pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805 “Business Combinations” (“ASC-805”); and an increase in general and administrative expense of $55,000, which is attributable principally to an increase in non-cash expenses related to equity grants under our equity incentive plan and to our switch in audit firms during the third quarter from a regional firm to a national firm.  Our new audit firm bills us quarterly for progress payments towards our annual audit and we expect the progress payments should result in lower audit expenses during the first quarter of 2014 compared to historical first quarter audit expenses.
 
The Trust’s cash outlays, other than dividend payments (which were temporarily suspended during the second quarter of 2013 and which we expect to reinstate once litigation costs with NSC diminish), are for general and administrative ("G&A") expenses, which consist principally of legal and other professional fees, consultant fees, NYSE MKT listing fees, shareholder service company fees and auditing costs, litigation expenses, interest expense and property taxes.  The Trust also expenses acquisition related closing costs in the quarter in which it closes an acquisition in accordance with ASC 805. The Trust also incurs non-cash expenses related to equity grants made under its 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.  The Trust expects that its P&WV subsidiary will continue to incur substantial litigation expenses during the remainder of 2013 related to the NSC litigation and further expects that its expenses and revenues will generally increase over time as it expands its business activities.  There can be no assurance that Power REIT will be successful in expanding its business. 

During the first quarter of 2013, the Trust entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (“ATM Agreement”) with MLV & Co. LLC (“MLV”) and filed a prospectus supplement to its shelf registration statement on Form S-3, pursuant to which the Trust may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $5.4 million of its common shares.  Under the terms of the ATM Agreement, the Trust pays to MLV fees equal to 3% of the gross proceeds of any sales made under the prospectus supplement.  The Trust did not sell any shares during the third quarter or from October 1, 2013 through the filing date of this quarterly report.  During the nine months ending September 30, 2013, the Trust sold 22,105 shares and received cash proceeds of approximately $222,000, net of fees and expenses.

The Trust filed a preliminary prospectus supplement to its shelf registration statement on November 6, 2013, in anticipation of commencing the offer and sale from time to time of up to 150,000 shares of 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $25.00 (the “Series A Preferred Stock”).  As of the date of this filing, the Trust did not have any issued or outstanding Series A Preferred Stock.
 
 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a smaller reporting company, the Trust is not required to provide the information called for by this Item.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures.  As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Registrant carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary-Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary-Treasurer have concluded that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant's required SEC filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms.

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

We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that our books and records accurately reflect the transactions of the Registrant and that our policies and procedures are followed.  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect such controls.
 
 
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

Power REIT and its wholly-owned subsidiary, P&WV, are in litigation with NSC and NSC's sub-lessee, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad (“WLE” and, together with NSC, the "Litigants").  The case is pending in Federal Court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ("Court").  The Litigants initiated the litigation against Power REIT and P&WV in December 2011, seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment that NSC was not in default under the 99-year lease that NSC had entered into with P&WV effective in 1964. 
 
P&WV, as lessor, has asserted counterclaims seeking determinations that NSC is in default under the lease for, among other things, failing to reimburse certain legal fees incurred by P&WV, failing to permit P&WV to inspect NSC's books and records as called for under the terms of the lease and failing to pay other amounts that P&WV believes are due and owing. P&WV also seeks determinations from the Court declaring that (a) NSC's obligation to repay the indebtedness owed under the lease is not indefinite in duration, and (b) the indebtedness owed to P&WV is due on demand with interest.  If P&WV is successful in establishing that the lease is in default, it can terminate that lease and demand payment for the indebtedness owed to it from NSC.
       
According to records provided to P&WV by NSC, the indebtedness owed to P&WV is approximately $16,600,000 and $16,200,000 as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively.  P&WV believes these amounts have been understated by NSC.  The indebtedness owed to P&WV is the cumulative amount of additional rent and other sums that NSC owes to P&WV but has elected under its interpretation of the lease to satisfy via indebtedness rather than cash. These sums include amounts received by NSC from its disposition of P&WV's assets.  The indebtedness has not been reported in P&WV’s balance sheets as prepared under GAAP due to the dispute as to when these amounts are due.  Similarly, the amounts of additional rent that P&WV disputes are due on a current basis and have historically been treated as indebtedness by NSC and have not been included in P&WV's income statement or balance sheet prepared under GAAP; however, these additional rent amounts have historically been recorded as taxable income on P&WV’s tax returns.
 
As part of the litigation proceedings, Power REIT filed a motion prior to the initial conclusion of discovery requesting that it be dismissed from the litigation on the grounds that it is not in contractual privity with either of the Litigants.  The Litigants opposed Power REIT's motion to dismiss, alleging that Power REIT is a successor in interest to P&WV in regard to the lease.  Pursuant to applicable law, on a motion to dismiss, a court must accept as true all of the challenged allegations.  On this ground, the Court denied Power REIT's motion to dismiss. Power REIT believes there is no merit to the successor-in-interest allegation, and on September 13, 2013, following the initial conclusion of discovery, Power REIT filed a motion for summary judgment, that among other things, renewed its argument that it should be dismissed from the proceedings because there is no contractual privity between it and either of the Litigants. There can be no assurance that Power REIT will prevail on this motion.

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, P&WV filed a motion to supplement its counterclaims with additional counterclaims.  These proposed counterclaims were filed after new evidence emerged concerning significant and previously undisclosed dispositions of P&WV's property by NSC and its sub-lessee, WLE. In its motion, P&WV states that the additional amount owed to P&WV exceeds $8 million, not including potential interest and damages.  P&WV also sought to supplement its claim for, among other things, additional amounts due, including for the reimbursement of legal fees related to the litigation.   On August 29, 2013, the Court granted leave to P&WV to supplement its counterclaims as requested.   Thereafter, the Litigants filed a motion to amend their complaint to add additional claims for declaratory judgment against both P&WV and Power REIT, seeking additional declarations from the Court that the Litigants have not defaulted on or violated the terms of the lease. The Litigants’ motion to amend is pending before the Court.

As of the date of this filing, fact and expert discovery have been completed with respect to the counterclaims that preceded P&WV’s recent supplement to its counterclaims.  Fact and expert discovery with respect to the recent supplemental counterclaims is expected to commence during the fourth quarter of 2013.

In connection with the litigation, P&WV incurred litigation expenses of approximately $220,000 and $701,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $142,000 and $366,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.  As of September 30, 2013, P&WV has incurred a total of approximately $1.4 million related to the litigation, of which approximately $930,000 has been paid and approximately $470,000 is payable to its law firms. P&WV believes that the costs associated with the litigation are reimbursable by NSC under the lease as additional rent, but NSC has refused to pay such amounts. P&WV is seeking to collect its costs from NSC as part of the litigation, but there can be no assurance that P&WV will prevail on this point.  Accordingly, litigation expenses are accrued and expensed as incurred.

As of the third quarter of 2013, during the pendency of the litigation, NSC has continued to make the quarterly base rental payments it owes P&WV under the lease ($228,750 per quarter). There can be no assurance that NSC will continue to make its base rent payments.
 
 
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The Trust’s results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties as described in its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2013, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. You should carefully consider these risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this report. Should any of these risks materialize, the Trust’s business, financial condition and future prospects could be negatively affected.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not Applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

Not Applicable.

Item 6.  Exhibits.
 
Exhibit Number   Description
     
Exhibit 12.1
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
     
Exhibit 31.1
 
Section 302 Certification of David H. Lesser
     
Exhibit 31.2
 
Section 302 Certification of Arun Mittal
     
Exhibit 32.1
 
Section 906 Certification of David H. Lesser and Arun Mittal
     
Exhibit 101
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013: (i) Consolidated Income Statement, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheet, (iii) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (iv) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
POWER REIT
 
       
Date:  November 14, 2013
By:
/s/ David H. Lesser
 
   
David H. Lesser
 
   
Chairman of the Board &
 
   
Chief Executive Officer
 

Date: November 14, 2013
By:
/s/ Arun Mittal
 
   
Arun Mittal
 
   
Executive Vice President,
 
   
Secretary & Treasurer
 
 
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