Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to help the reader understand our operations and our present business environment from the perspective of management. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”; the sections in Part I entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors”; and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. We use certain non-GAAP measures that are more fully described below under the caption “—Supplemental Non-GAAP Measures,” which we believe are appropriate supplemental non-GAAP measures of the performance of REITs used by our management, as well as REIT analysts.
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
General
Real Estate Investment Trust
We are a net lease REIT specializing in the acquisition, financing and development of convenience, automotive and other single tenant retail real estate. Our portfolio is comprised of convenience stores, car wash properties, automotive service centers (gasoline and repair, oil and maintenance, tire and battery, and collision), automotive parts retailers, and certain other freestanding retail properties, including drive-thru quick service restaurants. As of December 31, 2022, our portfolio included 1,039 properties, including 997 properties owned by us and 42 properties that we leased from third-party landlords. As a REIT, we are not subject to federal corporate income tax on the taxable income we distribute to our stockholders. In order to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we are required, among other things, to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income to our stockholders each year.
Our Properties
Our 1,039 properties are located in 38 states and Washington D.C. and include a concentration in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions that we believe is unique and not readily available for purchase or lease from other owners or landlords. Our typical property consists of approximately one acre of land in a larger metropolitan area and is used as a convenience store, express tunnel car wash, automotive service center, automotive parts retailer, or certain other freestanding retailers, including drive-thru quick service restaurants. Many of our properties are located at highly trafficked urban intersections or conveniently close to highway entrances or exit ramps.
As of December 31, 2022, we leased 1,034 of our properties to tenants under triple-net leases, including 866 properties leased under 37 separate unitary or master triple-net leases, and 168 properties leased under single unit triple-net leases. These leases generally provide for an initial term of 15 or 20 years, with options for successive renewal terms of up to 20 years, and periodic rent escalations. As of December 31, 2022, our weighted average remaining lease term, excluding renewal options, was 8.8 years.
Substantially all of our properties are leased to convenience store operators, petroleum distributors, car wash operators and other automotive-related and retail tenants. Our tenants either operate their business at our properties directly or, in the case of certain convenience stores and gasoline and repair stations, sublet our properties and supply fuel to third parties that operate the businesses. For additional information regarding risks related to our tenants’ dependence on the performance of the industry, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Significant number of our tenants depend on the same industry for their revenues” in this Form 10-K.
Our triple-net lease tenants are responsible for the payment of all taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and other operating expenses relating to our properties, and are also responsible for environmental contamination occurring during the terms of their leases and in certain cases also for environmental contamination that existed before their leases commenced. For additional information regarding our environmental obligations, see Note 5 in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Form 10-K.
As of December 31, 2022, we were also actively redeveloping three of our properties as new convenience stores or for alternative single tenant retail uses, and two of our properties were vacant.
Investment Strategy and Activity
As part of our strategy to grow and diversify our portfolio, we regularly review acquisition and financing opportunities to invest in additional convenience, automotive and other single tenant retail real estate. We primarily pursue sale leaseback transactions with existing and prospective tenants and will pursue other transactions, including forward commitments to acquire new-to-industry construction and the acquisition of assets with in-place leases, that result in us owning fee simple interests in our properties. Our investment activities may also include purchase money financing with respect to properties we sell, real property loans relating to our leasehold properties and construction loans. Our investment strategy seeks to generate current income and benefit from long-term appreciation in the underlying value of our real estate. To achieve that goal, we seek to invest in well-located, freestanding properties
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that support automobility and provide convenience and service to consumers in major markets across the country. A key element of our investment strategy is to invest in properties that will enhance our property type, tenant and geographic diversification.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we invested $157.5 million across 52 properties, including the acquisition of fee simple interests in 40 properties for an aggregate purchase price of $137.3 million. The properties we acquired included nine convenience stores, 16 car wash properties, 14 automotive services centers and one drive-thru quick service restaurant. We also advanced construction loans in the amount of $20.2 million, including accrued interest, for the development of 12 new-to-industry convenience stores and car wash properties.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we invested $200.0 million across 100 properties, including the acquisition of fee simple interests in 97 properties for an aggregate purchase price of $194.3 million. The properties we acquired included 25 convenience stores, 17 car wash properties, 54 automotive services centers and one drive-thru quick service restaurant. We also advanced construction loans in the amount of $5.7 million, including accrued interest, for the development of three new-to-industry convenience stores.
For additional information regarding our property acquisitions, see Note 12 in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Form 10-K.
Redevelopment Strategy and Activity
We believe that certain of our properties, primarily those currently being used as gas and repair businesses, are well-suited to be redeveloped as new convenience stores or other single tenant retail uses, such as automotive parts, quick service restaurants, bank branches and specialty retail. We believe that the redeveloped properties can be leased or sold at higher values than their current use.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, rent commenced on two and five completed redevelopment projects, respectively, that were placed back into service in our net lease portfolio. Since the inception of our redevelopment program in 2015, we have completed 26 redevelopment projects.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we spent $0.1 million (net of write-offs) of construction-in-progress costs related to our redevelopment activities and transferred $36 thousand of construction-in-progress to buildings and improvements on our consolidated balance sheet. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we spent $0.3 million (net of write-offs) of construction-in-progress costs related to our redevelopment activities and transferred $0.4 million of construction-in-progress to buildings and improvements on our consolidated balance sheet.
As of December 31, 2022, we had three properties under active redevelopment and others in various stages of feasibility planning for potential recapture from our net lease portfolio, including one property for which we have signed a new lease and which will be transferred to redevelopment when the appropriate entitlements, permits and approvals have been secured.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Measures
We manage our business to enhance the value of our real estate portfolio and, as a REIT, place particular emphasis on minimizing risk, to the extent feasible, and generating cash sufficient to make required distributions to stockholders of at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income each year. In addition to measurements defined by GAAP, we also focus on Funds From Operations (“FFO”) and Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) to measure our performance. As previously disclosed, beginning with our results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, we updated our definition of AFFO to include adjustments for stock-based compensation and amortization of debt issuance costs. We believe that conforming to this market practice for calculating AFFO improves the comparability of this measure of performance to other net lease REITs.
FFO and AFFO are generally considered by analysts and investors to be appropriate supplemental non-GAAP measures of the performance of REITs. FFO and AFFO are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, FFO and AFFO are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Neither FFO nor AFFO represent cash generated from operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP and therefore these measures should not be considered an alternative for GAAP net earnings or as a measure of liquidity. These measures should only be used to evaluate our performance in conjunction with corresponding GAAP measures.
FFO is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) as GAAP net earnings before (i) depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, (ii) gains or losses on dispositions of real estate assets, (iii) impairment charges, and (iv) the cumulative effect of accounting changes.
We define AFFO as FFO excluding (i) certain revenue recognition adjustments (defined below), (ii) certain environmental adjustments (defined below), (iii) stock-based compensation, (iv) amortization of debt issuance costs and (v) other non-cash and/or unusual items that are not reflective of our core operating performance.
Other REITs may use definitions of FFO and/or AFFO that are different than ours and, accordingly, may not be comparable.
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We believe that FFO and AFFO are helpful to analysts and investors in measuring our performance because both FFO and AFFO exclude various items included in GAAP net earnings that do not relate to, or are not indicative of, the core operating performance of our portfolio. Specifically, FFO excludes items such as depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, gains or losses on dispositions of real estate assets, and impairment charges. With respect to AFFO, we further exclude the impact of (i) deferred rental revenue (straight-line rent), the net amortization of above-market and below-market leases, adjustments recorded for the recognition of rental income from direct financing leases, and the amortization of deferred lease incentives (collectively, “Revenue Recognition Adjustments”), (ii) environmental accretion expenses, environmental litigation accruals, insurance reimbursements, legal settlements and judgments, and changes in environmental remediation estimates (collectively, “Environmental Adjustments”), (iii) stock-based compensation expense, (iv) amortization of debt issuance costs and (v) other items, which may include allowances for credit losses on notes and mortgages receivable and direct financing leases, losses on extinguishment of debt, retirement and severance costs, and other items that do not impact our recurring cash flow and which are not indicative of our core operating performance.
We pay particular attention to AFFO which we believe provides the most useful depiction of the core operating performance of its portfolio. By providing AFFO, we believe we are presenting information that assists analysts and investors in their assessment of our core operating performance, as well as the sustainability of our core operating performance with the sustainability of the core operating performance of other real estate companies.
A reconciliation of net earnings to FFO and AFFO is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Year ended December 31,
Revenue recognition adjustments
Deferred rental revenue (straight-line rent) (3,458 ) (2,778 ) (2,903 )
Amortization of above and below market leases, net (1,184 ) (1,221 ) (1,438 )
Amortization of investments in direct financing leases 5,392 4,844 4,210
Environmental Adjustments
Environmental litigation accruals 279 1,909 85
Insurance reimbursements (85 ) (92 ) (142 )
Legal settlements and judgments — (493 ) (21,300 )
Other Adjustments
Loss on extinguishment of debt — — 1,233
Retirement and severance costs 85 800 —
Basic per share amounts:
Diluted per share amounts:
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
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(1)
Dividends paid and undistributed earnings allocated, if any, to unvested restricted stockholders are deducted from FFO and AFFO for the computation of the per share amounts. The following amounts were deducted:
Year ended December 31,
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2022, compared to year ended December 31, 2021
The following table presents select data and comparative results from the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Revenues:
Interest on notes and mortgages receivable 1,699 1,522 177
Operating expenses:
Other items:
Revenues from Rental Properties
The following table presents the results for revenues from rental properties for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Revenue recognition adjustments (1,948 ) (1,964 ) 16
Rental income includes base rental income and additional rental income, if any, based on the aggregate volume of fuel sold at certain properties. The increase in rental income was primarily due to additional base rental income from properties acquired during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, as well as rent commencements from completed redevelopments and contractual rent increases for certain in-place leases, partially offset by dispositions of real estate during the same period.
In accordance with GAAP, we recognize revenues from rental properties in amounts which vary from the amount of rent contractually due during the periods presented. As a result, revenues from rental properties include revenue recognition adjustments comprised of (i) non-cash adjustments recorded for deferred rental revenue due to the recognition of rental income on a straight-line basis over the current lease term, (ii) the net amortization of above-market and below-market leases, (iii) recognition of rental income under direct financing leases using the effective interest rate method which produces a constant periodic rate of return on the net investments in the leased properties, and (iv) the amortization of deferred lease incentives.
Tenant reimbursements consist of real estate taxes and other municipal charges paid by us which are reimbursable by our tenants pursuant to the terms of triple-net lease agreements.
Interest on Notes and Mortgages Receivable
The increase in interest on notes and mortgages receivable was primarily due to an increase in construction loan advances for the development of new-to-industry properties during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, partially offset by collections of notes and mortgages receivable during the same period.
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Property Costs
Property costs are comprised of (i) property operating expenses, including rent expense, reimbursable and non-reimbursable real estate taxes and municipal charges, certain state and local taxes, and maintenance expenses, and (ii) leasing and redevelopment expenses, including professional fees, demolition costs, and redevelopment project cost write-offs, if any.
The following table presents the results for property costs for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Leasing and redevelopment expenses 710 440 270
The decrease in property costs was primarily due to a decrease in property expenses driven by lower rent expense and reimbursable and non-reimbursable real estate taxes, partially offset by an increase in state and local taxes, as well as an increase in leasing and redevelopment expenses driven by an increase in demolition costs for redevelopment projects.
Impairment Charges
Impairment charges are recorded when the carrying value of a property is reduced to fair value. Impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were attributable to (i) the addition of asset retirement costs to certain properties due to changes in estimates associated with our environmental liabilities, which increased the carrying values of these properties in excess of their fair values, (ii) reductions in estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be received during the assumed holding period for certain of our properties, and (iii) reductions in estimated sales prices from third-party offers based on signed contracts, letters of intent or indicative bids for certain of our properties.
Environmental Expenses
The decrease in environmental expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to a reduction in estimates related to unknown environmental liabilities. Specifically, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we concluded that there was no material continued risk of having to satisfy contractual obligations relating to preexisting unknown environmental contamination at certain properties. Accordingly, we removed $23.5 million of unknown reserve liabilities which had previously been accrued for these properties. This resulted in a net credit of $22.2 million being recorded to environmental expense for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2022, there was a decrease in environmental litigation accruals of $1.6 million.
Environmental expenses vary from period to period and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on the magnitude or the direction of change in reported environmental expenses for one period, as compared to prior periods.
General and Administrative Expenses
The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in employee-related expenses, including a $0.8 million increase in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a $0.7 million reduction in non-recurring employee-related expenses and a $0.4 million decrease in legal and other professional fees.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization from properties acquired during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation charges related to asset retirement costs, the effect of certain assets becoming fully depreciated, lease terminations and dispositions of real estate during the same period.
Gains on Disposition of Real Estate
The gains on dispositions of real estate were primarily the result of the sale of 24 and 16 properties during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Interest Expense
The increase in interest expense was due to higher average borrowings and higher average interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
Our primary uses of liquidity include payments of operating expenses, interest on our outstanding debt and environmental remediation costs, distributions to shareholders, and future acquisitions and redevelopment projects. We have not historically incurred significant capital expenditures other than those related to acquisitions. For a discussion of our capital expenditures, see “—Property Acquisitions and Capital Expenditures.”
We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements through cash flow from operations, funds available under our Revolving Facility, proceeds from new senior unsecured notes that we closed in February 2022, but were not funded until January 2023, proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock pursuant to forward agreements under our ATM Program, and available cash and cash equivalents.
As of December 31, 2022, we had $230.0 million of availability under our Revolving Facility, and our total cash and cash equivalents were $11.2 million.
In February 2022, we closed on the private placement of $225.0 million of senior unsecured notes, including (i) $100.0 million of 3.45% notes funded at closing and maturing in February 2032, and (ii) $125 million of 3.65% notes funded in January 2023 and mature in January 2033. Proceeds from the notes funded at closing were used to repay all amounts outstanding on the Revolving Facility and for general corporate purposes, including to fund investment activity. Proceeds from the delayed funding notes were used to prepay $75 million of 5.35% senior unsecured notes maturing in June 2023 and for general corporate purposes, including to fund investment activity.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we entered into forward sale agreements to sell an aggregate of 3.7 million common shares for anticipated gross proceeds of $117.6 million through our ATM Program.
We anticipate meeting our longer-term capital needs through cash flow from operations, funds available under our Revolving Facility, available cash and cash equivalents, proceeds from future real estate asset sales, and the future issuance of shares of common stock or debt securities.
Our cash flow activities for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Net cash flow provided by operating activities $ 93,086 $ 86,818 $ 6,268
Operating Activities
The change in net cash flow provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was primarily the result of changes in revenues and expenses as discussed in “Results of Operations” above and the other changes in assets and liabilities as presented on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Investing Activities
The change in net cash flow used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to a reduction in property acquisitions of $57.0 million, partially offset by an $11.6 million increase in deposits for property acquisitions, a $9.0 million decrease in collections of notes and mortgages receivable, and an increase of $5.8 million in issuance of notes and mortgages receivable.
Financing Activities
The change in net cash flow provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from issuances of common stock of $92.5 million and an increase in dividends paid of $7.5 million, partially offset by an increase in net borrowings of $75.0 million.
Credit Agreement
The Second Restated Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 and includes an accordion feature to increase the revolving commitments or add one or more tranches of term loans up to an additional aggregate amount not to exceed $300 million, subject to certain conditions, including one or more new or existing lenders agreeing to provide commitments for such increased amount and that no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the terms of the Revolving Facility.
The Revolving Facility matures October 27, 2025, subject to two six-month extensions (for a total of 12 months) exercisable at our option. Our exercise of an extension option is subject to the absence of any default under the Second Restated Credit Agreement
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and our compliance with certain conditions, including the payment of extension fees to the Lenders under the Revolving Facility and that no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the terms of the Revolving Facility.
In December 2022, we entered into an amendment to the Second Restated Credit Agreement to transition the applicable interest rates and default rate thereunder from LIBOR-based rates to SOFR-based rates. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) the sum of a SOFR rate plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% plus a margin of 1.30% to 1.90% or (ii) the sum of a base rate plus a margin of 0.30% to 0.90% based on our consolidated total indebtedness to total asset value ratio at the end of each quarterly reporting period.
The per annum rate of the unused line fee on the undrawn funds under the Revolving Facility is 0.15% to 0.25% based on our daily unused portion of the available Revolving Facility.
The Second Restated Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants, including covenants with respect to total leverage, secured leverage and unsecured leverage ratios, fixed charge and interest coverage ratios, and minimum tangible net worth, as well as limitations on restricted payments, which may limit our ability to incur additional debt or pay dividends. The Second Restated Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including cross default provisions with respect to our senior unsecured notes. Any event of default, if not cured or waived in a timely manner, could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness under the Second Restated Credit Agreement and could also give rise to an event of default and the acceleration of our senior unsecured notes.
As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the material terms of the Second Restated Credit Agreement.
Senior Unsecured Notes
In February 2022, we entered into a sixth amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Prudential”) (the "Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement") pursuant to which, in January 2023, we issued $80.0 million of 3.65% Series Q Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 20, 2033 (the “Series Q Notes”) to Prudential and used the proceeds to repay the $75.0 million of 5.35% Series B Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 2, 2023 (the “Series B Notes”) outstanding under our fifth amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with Prudential (the "Fifth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement"). The other senior unsecured notes outstanding under the Fifth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement, including (i) $50.0 million of 4.75% Series C Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 25, 2025 (the “Series C Notes”), (ii) $50.0 million of 5.47% Series D Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 21, 2028 (the “Series D Notes”), (iii) $50.0 million of 3.52% Series F Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 12, 2029 (the “Series F Notes”) and (iv) $100.0 million of 3.43% Series I Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 25, 2030 (the “Series I Notes”), remain outstanding under the Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement.
In February 2022, we entered into a second amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with American General Life Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “AIG”) (the “Second Amended and Restated AIG Agreement”) pursuant to which we issued $55.0 million of 3.45% Series L Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 22, 2032 (the “Series L Notes”) to AIG. The other senior unsecured notes outstanding under our first amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with AIG (the “First Amended and Restated AIG Agreement”), including (i) $50.0 million of 3.52% Series G Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 12, 2029 (the “Series G Notes”) and (ii) $50.0 million of 3.43% Series J Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 25, 2030 (the “Series J Notes”), remain outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated AIG Agreement.
In February 2022, we entered into a second amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “MassMutual”) (the “Second Amended and Restated MassMutual Agreement”) pursuant to which we issued $20.0 million of 3.45% Series M Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 22, 2032 (the “Series M Notes”) and, in January 2023, $20.0 million of 3.65% Series O Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 20, 2033 (the “Series O Notes”) to MassMutual. The other senior unsecured notes outstanding under our first amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with MassMutual (the “First Amended and Restated MassMutual Agreement”), including (i) $25.0 million of 3.52% Series H Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 12, 2029 (the “Series H Notes”) and (ii) $25.0 million of 3.43% Series K Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 25, 2030 (the “Series K Notes”), remain outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated MassMutual Agreement.
In February 2022, we entered into a note purchase and guarantee agreement with New York Life Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “New York Life”) (the “New York Life Agreement”) pursuant to which we issued $25.0 million of 3.45% Series N Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 22, 2032 (the “Series N Notes”) and, in January 2023, $25.0 million of 3.65% Series P Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 20, 2033 (the “Series P Notes”) to New York Life.
On June 21, 2018, we entered into a note purchase and guarantee agreement with MetLife and certain of its affiliates (collectively, "MetLife") (the “MetLife Agreement”) pursuant to which we issued $50.0 million of 5.47% Series E Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 21, 2028 (the “Series E Notes”) to MetLife.
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The funded and outstanding Series B Notes, Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes, Series F Note, Series G Notes, Series H Notes, Series I Notes, Series J Notes, Series K Notes, Series L Notes, Series M Notes and Series N Notes are collectively referred to the "senior unsecured notes".
As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the material terms of our senior unsecured notes.
For additional information regarding our senior secured notes, see Note 4 in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Form 10-K.
Debt Maturities
The amounts outstanding under the Second Restated Credit Agreement and our senior unsecured notes, exclusive of extension options, are as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Unamortized debt issuance costs, net (b) (3,545 ) (3,880 )
(a)
Pursuant to the Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement, we issued $80,000 of 3.65% Series Q Notes due January 20, 2033 to Prudential in January 2023 and used a portion of the proceeds to repay in full the $75,000 of 5.35% Series B Notes due June 2, 2023.
(b)
Unamortized debt issuance costs, related to the Revolving Facility, at December 31, 2022 and 2021, of $2,036 and $2,730, respectively, are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
ATM Program
In March 2018, we established an at-the-market equity offering program (the “2018 ATM Program”), pursuant to which we were able to issue and sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $125.0 million through a consortium of banks acting as agents. The 2018 ATM Program was terminated in January 2021.
In February 2021, we established an at-the-market equity offering program (the “ATM Program”), pursuant to which we are able to issue and sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $250.0 million through a consortium of banks acting as our sales agents or acting as forward sellers on behalf of any forward purchasers pursuant to a forward sale agreement. Sales of the shares of common stock may be made, as needed, from time to time in at-the-market offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or as otherwise agreed to with the applicable agent.
The use of a forward sale agreement allows us to lock in a share price on the sale of shares at the time the forward sales agreement becomes effective but defer receiving the proceeds from the sale of shares until a later date. To account for the forward sale agreements, we considered the accounting guidance governing financial instruments and derivatives. To date, we have concluded that our forward sale agreements are not liabilities as they do not embody obligations to repurchase our shares nor do they embody obligations to issue a variable number of shares for which the monetary value are predominantly fixed, varying with something other than the fair value of the shares, or varying inversely in relation to our shares.
We also evaluated whether the agreements meet the derivatives and hedging guidance scope exception to be accounted for as equity instruments. We concluded that the agreements are classifiable as equity contracts based on the following assessments: (i) none of the agreements’ exercise contingencies are based on observable markets or indices besides those related to the market for the Company’s own stock price and operations; and (ii) none of the settlement provisions precluded the agreements from being indexed to its own stock.
We consider the potential dilution resulting from the forward sale agreements on the earnings per share calculations and use the treasury stock method to determine the dilution resulting from the forward sale agreements during the period of time prior to settlement.
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ATM Direct Issuances
During the year ended December 31, 2022, no shares of common stock were issued under the ATM Program.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we issued a total of 3.0 million shares of common stock and received net proceeds of $92.3 million under the ATM Program and the 2018 ATM Program.
Future sales, if any, will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including among others, market conditions, the trading price of our common stock, determinations by us of the appropriate sources of funding for us and potential uses of funding available to us.
ATM Forward Agreements
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we entered into forward sale agreements to sell an aggregate of 3.7 million shares of common stock at an average gross offering price of $31.61 per share. No shares were settled during the year ended December 31, 2022.
We expect to settle the forward sale agreements in full within 12 months of the respective agreement dates via physical delivery of the outstanding shares of common stock in exchange for cash proceeds, although we may elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations under the forward sale agreements, subject to certain conditions.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we did not enter into any forward sale agreements under the ATM Program.
Dividends
We elected to be treated as a REIT under the federal income tax laws with the year beginning January 1, 2001. To qualify for taxation as a REIT, we must, among other requirements such as those related to the composition of our assets and gross income, distribute annually to our stockholders at least 90% of our taxable income, including taxable income that is accrued by us without a corresponding receipt of cash.
It is also possible that instead of distributing 100% of our taxable income on an annual basis, we may decide to retain a portion of our taxable income and to pay taxes on such amounts as permitted by the Internal Revenue Service. Payment of dividends is subject to market conditions, our financial condition, including but not limited to, our continued compliance with the provisions of the Second Restated Credit Agreement, our senior unsecured notes and other factors, and therefore is not assured. In particular, the Second Restated Credit Agreement and our senior unsecured notes prohibit the payment of dividends during certain events of default.
Regular quarterly dividends paid to our stockholders aggregated $78.3 million, $70.8 million and $62.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends at historical rates.
Contractual Obligations
Our significant contractual obligations and commitments, excluding extension options and unamortized debt issuance costs, as of December 31, 2022, were comprised of borrowings under the Second Restated Credit Agreement, our senior unsecured notes, operating and finance lease payments due to landlords, estimated environmental remediation expenditures and our funding commitments for capital improvements at certain properties.
Generally, leases with our tenants are triple-net leases with the tenant responsible for the operations conducted at our properties and for the payment of taxes, maintenance, repair, insurance, environmental remediation and other operating expenses.
We have no significant contractual obligations that are not fully recorded on our consolidated balance sheets or fully disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Exchange Act.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. Although we have made estimates, judgments and assumptions regarding future uncertainties relating to the information included in our consolidated financial statements, giving due consideration to the accounting policies selected and materiality, actual results could differ from these estimates, judgments and assumptions and such differences could be material.
Estimates, judgments and assumptions underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, real estate, receivables, deferred rent receivable, direct financing leases, depreciation and amortization, impairment of long-lived assets, environmental remediation obligations, litigation, accrued liabilities, income taxes and the allocation of the purchase price of properties acquired to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The information included in our consolidated financial statements that is based on estimates, judgments and assumptions is subject to significant change and is adjusted as circumstances change and as the uncertainties become more clearly defined.
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Our accounting policies are described in Note 1 in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. The SEC’s Financial Reporting Release (“FRR”) No. 60, Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies (“FRR 60”), suggests that companies provide additional disclosure on those accounting policies considered most critical. FRR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to our financial condition and results of operations and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. We believe that our most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition and deferred rent receivable, direct financing leases, impairment of long-lived assets, environmental remediation obligations, litigation, income taxes, and the allocation of the purchase price of properties acquired to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as described below.
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Rent Receivable
We earn revenue primarily from operating leases with our tenants. We recognize income under leases with our tenants, on the straight-line method, which effectively recognizes contractual lease payments evenly over the current term of the leases. The present value of the difference between the fair market rent and the contractual rent for in-place leases at the time properties are acquired is amortized into revenue from rental properties over the remaining lives of the in-place leases. A critical assumption in applying the straight-line accounting method is that the tenant will make all contractual lease payments during the current lease term and that the net deferred rent receivable balance will be collected when the payment is due, in accordance with the annual rent escalations provided for in the leases. We may be required to reserve, or provide reserves for a portion of, the recorded deferred rent receivable if it becomes apparent that the tenant may not make all of its contractual lease payments when due during the current term of the lease.
The present value of the difference between the fair market rent and the contractual rent for above-market and below-market leases at the time properties are acquired is amortized into revenues from rental properties over the remaining terms of the in-place leases. Lease termination fees are recognized as other income when earned upon the termination of a tenant’s lease and relinquishment of space in which we have no further obligation to the tenant.
The sales of nonfinancial assets, such as real estate, are to be recognized when control of the asset transfers to the buyer, which will occur when the buyer has the ability to direct the use of or obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the asset. This generally occurs when the transaction closes and consideration is exchanged for control of the property.
Direct Financing Leases
Income under direct financing leases is included in revenues from rental properties and is recognized over the lease terms using the effective interest rate method which produces a constant periodic rate of return on the net investments in the leased properties. The investments in direct financing leases represents the investments in leased assets accounted for as direct financing leases. The investments in direct financing leases are increased for interest income earned and amortized over the life of the leases and reduced by the receipt of lease payments.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Real estate assets represent “long-lived” assets for accounting purposes. We review the recorded value of long-lived assets for impairment in value whenever any events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We may become aware of indicators of potentially impaired assets upon tenant or landlord lease renewals, upon receipt of notices of potential governmental takings and zoning issues, or upon other events that occur in the normal course of business that would cause us to review the operating results of the property. We believe our real estate assets are not carried at amounts in excess of their estimated net realizable fair value amounts.
Environmental Remediation Obligations
We provide for the estimated fair value of future environmental remediation obligations when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. See “Environmental Matters” below for additional information. Environmental liabilities net of related recoveries are measured based on their expected future cash flows which have been adjusted for inflation and discounted to present value. Since environmental exposures are difficult to assess and estimate and knowledge about these liabilities is not known upon the occurrence of a single event, but rather is gained over a continuum of events, we believe that it is appropriate that our accrual estimates are adjusted as the remediation treatment progresses, as circumstances change and as environmental contingencies become more clearly defined and reasonably estimable. A critical assumption in accruing for these liabilities is that the state environmental laws and regulations will be administered and enforced in the future in a manner that is consistent with past practices. Environmental liabilities are estimated net of recoveries of environmental costs from state UST remediation funds, with respect to past and future spending based on estimated recovery rates developed from our experience with the funds when such recoveries are considered probable. A critical assumption in accruing for these recoveries is that the state UST fund programs will be administered and funded in the future in a manner that is consistent with past practices and that future environmental spending will be eligible for reimbursement at historical rates under these programs. We accrue environmental liabilities based on our share of responsibility as defined in our lease contracts with our tenants and under various other agreements with others or if circumstances
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indicate that our counterparty may not have the financial resources to pay its share of the costs. It is possible that our assumptions regarding the ultimate allocation method and share of responsibility that we used to allocate environmental liabilities may change, which may result in material adjustments to the amounts recorded for environmental litigation accruals and environmental remediation liabilities. We may ultimately be responsible to pay for environmental liabilities as the property owner if our tenants or other counterparties fail to pay them. In certain environmental matters the effect on future financial results is not subject to reasonable estimation because considerable uncertainty exists both in terms of the probability of loss and the estimate of such loss. The ultimate liabilities resulting from such lawsuits and claims, if any, may be material to our results of operations in the period in which they are recognized.
Litigation
Legal fees related to litigation are expensed as legal services are performed. We provide for litigation accruals, including certain litigation related to environmental matters (see “Environmental Litigation” below for additional information), when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of the liability can be made. If the estimate of the liability can only be identified as a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum of the range is accrued for the liability.
Income Taxes
Our financial results generally do not reflect provisions for current or deferred federal income taxes because we elected to be treated as a REIT under the federal income tax laws effective January 1, 2001. Our intention is to operate in a manner that will allow us to continue to be treated as a REIT and, as a result, we do not expect to pay substantial corporate-level federal income taxes. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If we were to fail to meet the requirements, we may be subject to federal income tax, excise taxes, penalties and interest or we may have to pay a deficiency dividend to eliminate any earnings and profits that were not distributed. Certain states do not follow the federal REIT rules and we have included provisions for these taxes in property costs.
Allocation of the Purchase Price of Properties Acquired
Upon acquisition of real estate and leasehold interests, we estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, buildings and improvements) “as if vacant” and identified intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of leasehold interests, above-market and below-market leases, in-place leases and tenant relationships) and assumed debt. Based on these estimates, we allocate the purchase price to the applicable assets and liabilities.Assumptions used are property and geographic specific and may include, among other things, capitalization rates, market rental rates and EBITDA to rent coverage ratios.
Environmental Matters
General
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, including matters relating to the protection of the environment such as the remediation of known contamination and the retirement and decommissioning or removal of long-lived assets including buildings containing hazardous materials, USTs and other equipment. Environmental costs are principally attributable to remediation costs which are incurred for, among other things, removing USTs, excavation of contaminated soil and water, installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioning remediation systems, monitoring contamination and governmental agency compliance reporting required in connection with contaminated properties.
We enter into leases and various other agreements which contractually allocate responsibility between the parties for known and unknown environmental liabilities at or relating to the subject properties. Under applicable law, we are contingently liable for these environmental obligations in the event that our tenant does not satisfy them, and we are required to accrue for environmental liabilities that we believe are allocable to others under our leases if we determine that it is probable that our tenant will not meet its environmental obligations. It is possible that our assumptions regarding the ultimate allocation method and share of responsibility that we used to allocate environmental liabilities may change, which may result in material adjustments to the amounts recorded for environmental litigation accruals and environmental remediation liabilities. We assess whether to accrue for environmental liabilities based upon relevant factors including our tenants’ histories of paying for such obligations, our assessment of their financial capability, and their intent to pay for such obligations. However, there can be no assurance that our assessments are correct or that our tenants who have paid their obligations in the past will continue to do so. We may ultimately be responsible to pay for environmental liabilities as the property owner if our tenant fails to pay them.
The estimated future costs for known environmental remediation requirements are accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The accrued liability is the aggregate of our estimate of the fair value of cost for each component of the liability, net of estimated recoveries from state UST remediation funds considering estimated recovery rates developed from prior experience with the funds.
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For substantially all of our triple-net leases, our tenants are contractually responsible for compliance with environmental laws and regulations, removal of USTs at the end of their lease term (the cost of which is mainly the responsibility of our tenant but in certain cases partially paid for by us) and remediation of any environmental contamination that arises during the term of their tenancy. In addition, for substantially all of our triple-net leases, our tenants are contractually responsible for known environmental contamination that existed at the commencement of the lease and for preexisting unknown environmental contamination that is discovered during the term of the lease.
For the subset of our triple-net leases which cover properties previously leased to Marketing (substantially all of which commenced in 2012), the allocation of responsibility differs from our other triple-net leases as it relates to preexisting known and unknown contamination. Under the terms of our leases covering properties previously leased to Marketing, we agreed to be responsible for environmental contamination that was known at the time the lease commenced, and for unknown environmental contamination which existed prior to commencement of the lease and which is discovered (other than as a result of a voluntary site investigation) during the first 10 years of the lease term (or a shorter period for a minority of such leases) (a “Lookback Period”). Similarly, for certain properties previously leased to Marketing which we have sold, we have agreed to be responsible for environmental contamination that was known at the time of the sale and for unknown environmental contamination which existed prior to the sale and which is discovered (other than as a result of a voluntary site investigation) within 5 years of the closing (also, a “Lookback Period”). Substantially all of these Lookback Periods have now expired, therefore responsibility for all newly discovered contamination at these properties, even if it relates to periods prior to commencement of the lease or sale, is the contractual responsibility of our tenant or buyer as the case may be.
In the course of UST removals and replacements at certain properties previously leased to Marketing where we retained responsibility for preexisting unknown environmental contamination until expiration of the applicable Lookback Period, environmental contamination has been and continues to be discovered. As a result, we developed an estimate of fair value for the prospective future environmental liability resulting from preexisting unknown environmental contamination and accrued for these estimated costs. These estimates are based primarily upon quantifiable trends which we believe allow us to make reasonable estimates of fair value for the future costs of environmental remediation resulting from the anticipated removal and replacement of USTs. Our accrual of this liability represents our estimate of the fair value of the cost for each component of the liability, net of estimated recoveries from state UST remediation funds considering estimated recovery rates developed from prior experience. In arriving at our accrual, we analyzed the ages and expected useful lives of USTs at properties where we would be responsible for preexisting unknown environmental contamination and we projected a cost to closure for remediation of such contamination.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, the Lookback Periods for most of the properties we previously leased to Marketing expired. Based on the expiration of the Lookback Periods, together with other factors which have significantly mitigated our potential liability for preexisting environmental obligations, including the absence of any contractual obligations relating to properties which have been sold, quantifiable trends associated with types and ages of USTs at issue, expectations regarding future UST replacements, and historical trends and expectations regarding discovery of preexisting unknown environmental contamination and/or attempted pursuit of the Company therefor, we concluded that there is no material continued risk of having to satisfy contractual obligations relating to preexisting unknown environmental contamination at certain properties. Accordingly, we removed $23.5 million of unknown reserve liabilities which had previously been accrued for these properties. This resulted in a net credit of $22.2 million being recorded to environmental expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.
We continue to anticipate that our tenants under leases where the Lookback Periods have expired will replace USTs in the years ahead as these USTs near the end of their expected useful lives. At many of these properties the USTs in use are fabricated with older generation materials and technologies and we believe it is prudent to expect that upon their removal preexisting unknown environmental contamination will be identified. Although contractually these tenants are now responsible for preexisting unknown environmental contamination that is discovered during UST replacements, because the applicable Lookback Periods have expired before the end of the initial term of these leases, together with other relevant factors, we believe there remains continued risk that we will be responsible for remediation of preexisting environmental contamination associated with future UST removals at certain properties. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate at this time to maintain $11.1 million of unknown reserve liabilities for certain properties with respect to which the Lookback Periods have expired as of December 31, 2022.
We measure our environmental remediation liabilities at fair value based on expected future net cash flows, adjusted for inflation (using a range of 2.0% to 2.75%), and then discount them to present value (using a range of 4.0% to 7.0%). We adjust our environmental remediation liabilities quarterly to reflect changes in projected expenditures, changes in present value due to the passage of time and reductions in estimated liabilities as a result of actual expenditures incurred during each quarter. As of December 31, 2022, we had accrued a total of $23.2 million for our prospective environmental remediation obligations. This accrual consisted of (a) $10.8 million, which was our estimate of reasonably estimable environmental remediation liability, including obligations to remove USTs for which we are responsible, net of estimated recoveries and (b) $12.4 million for future environmental liabilities related to preexisting unknown contamination. As of December 31, 2021, we had accrued a total of $47.6 million for our prospective environmental remediation obligations. This accrual consisted of (a) $11.4 million, which was our estimate of reasonably estimable environmental remediation liability, including obligations to remove USTs for which we are responsible, net of estimated recoveries and (b) $36.2 million for future environmental liabilities related to preexisting unknown contamination.
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Environmental liabilities are accreted for the change in present value due to the passage of time and, accordingly, $1.3 million, $1.7 million and $1.8 million of net accretion expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in environmental expenses. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recorded credits to environmental expenses aggregating $23.8 million, $1.8 million and $3.1 million, respectively, where decreases in estimated remediation costs exceeded the depreciated carrying value of previously capitalized asset retirement costs. Environmental expenses also include project management fees, legal fees and environmental litigation accruals.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we increased the carrying values of certain of our properties by $3.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, due to changes in estimated environmental remediation costs. The recognition and subsequent changes in estimates in environmental liabilities and the increase or decrease in carrying values of the properties are non-cash transactions which do not appear on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Capitalized asset retirement costs are being depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the UST, a 10-year period if the increase in carrying value is related to environmental remediation obligations or such shorter period if circumstances warrant, such as the remaining lease term for properties we lease from others. Depreciation and amortization expense related to capitalized asset retirement costs in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, were $3.7 million, $4.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Capitalized asset retirement costs were $33.2 million (consisting of $24.7 million of known environmental liabilities and $8.5 million of reserves for future environmental liabilities) as of December 31, 2022, and $39.7 million (consisting of $24.1 million of known environmental liabilities and $15.6 million of reserves for future environmental liabilities) as of December 31, 2021. We recorded impairment charges aggregating $2.5 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for capitalized asset retirement costs.
For additional information regarding risks related to our potential environmental exposure, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors – We incur significant operating costs and, from time to time, may have significant liability accruals as a result of environmental laws and regulations, which costs and accruals could significantly increase, and reduce our profitability or have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, ability to pay dividends or stock price” in this Form 10-K.
In July 2012, we purchased a 10-year pollution legal liability insurance policy covering substantially all of our properties at that time for discovery of preexisting unknown environmental liabilities and for new environmental events. The policy had a $50.0 million aggregate limit and was subject to various self-insured retentions and other conditions and limitations. This policy expired in July 2022, although claims made prior to such expiration remain subject to coverage. In September 2022, we purchased a 5-year pollution legal liability insurance policy to cover a subset of our properties which we believe present the greatest risk for discovery of preexisting unknown environmental liabilities and for new environmental events. The policy has a $25.0 million in aggregate limit and is subject to various self-insured retentions and other conditions and limitations. Our intention in purchasing this policy was to obtain protection for certain properties which we believe have the greatest risk of significant environmental events.
In light of the uncertainties associated with environmental expenditure contingencies, we are unable to estimate ranges in excess of the amount accrued with any certainty; however, we believe that it is possible that the fair value of future actual net expenditures could be substantially higher than amounts currently recorded by us. Adjustments to accrued liabilities for environmental remediation obligations will be reflected in our consolidated financial statements as they become probable and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.
Environmental Litigation
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of our business. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had accrued $0.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for certain of these matters which we believe were appropriate based on information then currently available. It is possible that our assumptions regarding the ultimate allocation method and share of responsibility that we used to allocate environmental liabilities may change, which may result in our providing an accrual, or adjustments to the amounts recorded, for environmental litigation accruals. Matters related to our former Newark, New Jersey Terminal and the Lower Passaic River and MTBE litigations in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland, in particular, could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, ability to pay dividends or stock price. For additional information with respect to these and other pending environmental lawsuits and claims, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” and Note 3 in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Form 10-K.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily as a result of the Second Restated Credit Agreement which provides for the Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million and includes an accordion feature to increase the revolving commitments or add one or more tranches of term loans up to an additional aggregate amount not to exceed $300.0 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) the sum of a SOFR rate plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% plus a margin of 1.30% to 1.90% or (ii) the sum of a base rate plus a margin of 0.30% to 0.90% based on our consolidated total indebtedness to total asset value ratio at the end of each quarterly reporting period. We use borrowings under the Revolving Facility to finance acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Borrowings outstanding at variable interest rates under the Revolving Facility as of December 31, 2022, were $70.0 million.
Based on our outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Facility of $70.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase in market interest rates of 1.0% for 2023 would decrease our 2023 net income and cash flows by approximately $0.7 million. This amount was determined by calculating the effect of a hypothetical interest rate change on our borrowings floating at market rates and assumes that the $70.0 million outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Facility is indicative of our future average floating interest rate borrowings for 2023 before considering additional borrowings required for future acquisitions or repayment of outstanding borrowings from proceeds of future equity offerings. The calculation also assumes that there are no other changes in our financial structure or the terms of our borrowings. Our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates will increase or decrease in the future with increases or decreases in the outstanding amount under our Second Restated Credit Agreement and with increases or decreases in amounts outstanding under borrowing agreements entered into with interest rates floating at market rates.
In order to minimize our exposure to credit risk associated with financial instruments, we place our temporary cash investments, if any, with high credit quality institutions. Temporary cash investments, if any, are currently held in an overnight bank time deposit with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and these balances, at times, may exceed federally insurable limits.
See “Part I. Item. 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
GETTY REALTY CORP. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Page
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 47
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 50
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 71
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GETTY REALTY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
ASSETS:
Real Estate:
Investment in direct financing leases, net 66,185 71,647
Construction in progress 578 693
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (232,812 ) (209,040 )
Real estate held for sale, net 3,757 3,621
Right-of-use assets - finance 277 379
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Borrowings under credit agreement $ 70,000 $ 60,000
Environmental remediation obligations 23,155 47,597
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 43,745 45,941
Commitments and contingencies — —
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 authorized; unissued — —
Dividends paid in excess of earnings (62,957 ) (73,568 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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GETTY REALTY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Year ended December 31,
Revenues:
Operating expenses:
Loss on extinguishment of debt — — (1,233 )
Basic earnings per common share:
Diluted earnings per common share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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GETTY REALTY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Loss on extinguishment of debt — — 1,233
Amortization of above-market and below-market leases 14 (71 ) (314 )
Amortization of investment in direct financing leases 5,392 4,846 4,210
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,965 ) (997 ) (1,253 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,122 ) (554 ) (13,289 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures — (271 ) (282 )
Addition to construction in progress (56 ) (312 ) (275 )
Issuance of notes and mortgages receivable (19,312 ) (13,515 ) (2,932 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments under senior unsecured notes — — (100,000 )
Payment for extinguishment of debt — — (1,233 )
Payments of finance lease liability (487 ) (645 ) (650 )
Payments of debt issuance costs (611 ) (2,586 ) (410 )
Security deposits refunded 823 (233 ) (31 )
Payments in settlement of restricted stock units (496 ) (730 ) (257 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net - ATM Program (207 ) 92,285 63,187
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (15,212 ) (30,593 ) 33,390
Year ended December 31,
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Non-cash transactions
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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GETTY REALTY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Getty Realty Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We do not distinguish our principal business or our operations on a geographical basis for purposes of measuring performance. We manage and evaluate our operations as a single segment. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates, Judgments and Assumptions
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Estimates, judgments and assumptions underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, real estate, receivables, deferred rent receivable, direct financing leases, depreciation and amortization, impairment of long-lived assets, environmental remediation costs, environmental remediation obligations, litigation, accrued liabilities, income taxes and the allocation of the purchase price of properties acquired to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Application of these estimates and assumptions requires exercise of judgment as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net earnings.
Real Estate
Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. For acquisitions of real estate we estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, buildings and improvements) “as if vacant” and identified intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of leasehold interests, above-market and below-market leases, in-place leases and tenant relationships) and assumed debt. Based on these estimates, we allocate the estimated fair value to the applicable assets and liabilities. Fair value is determined based on an exit price approach, which contemplates the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assumptions used are property and geographic specific and may include, among other things, capitalization rates, market rental rates, discount rates and EBITDA to rent coverage ratios.
We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations in the period incurred. Acquisitions of real estate which do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. The accounting model for asset acquisitions is similar to the accounting model for business combinations except that the acquisition costs are capitalized and allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis. For additional information regarding property acquisitions, see Note 12 – Property Acquisitions.
We capitalize direct costs, including costs such as construction costs and professional services, and indirect costs associated with the development and construction of real estate assets while substantive activities are ongoing to prepare the assets for their intended use. The capitalization period begins when development activities are underway and ends when it is determined that the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.
We evaluate the held for sale classification of our real estate as of the end of each quarter. Assets that are classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
When real estate assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization is eliminated from the respective accounts and any gain or loss is credited or charged to income. We evaluate real estate sale transactions where we provide seller financing to determine sale and gain recognition in accordance with GAAP. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to income when incurred.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation of real estate is computed on the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 16 to 25 years for buildings and improvements, or the term of the lease if shorter. Asset retirement costs are
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depreciated over the shorter of the remaining useful lives of USTs or 10 years for asset retirement costs related to environmental remediation obligations, which costs are attributable to the group of assets identified at a property. Leasehold interests and in-place leases are amortized over the remaining term of the underlying lease.
Direct Financing Leases
Income under direct financing leases is included in revenues from rental properties and is recognized over the lease terms using the effective interest rate method which produces a constant periodic rate of return on the net investments in the leased properties. The investments in direct financing leases are increased for interest income earned and amortized over the life of the leases and reduced by the receipt of lease payments. We consider direct financing leases to be past-due or delinquent when a contractually required payment is not remitted in accordance with the provisions of the underlying agreement.
On June 16, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurements of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). The accounting standard became effective for us and was adopted on January 1, 2020. For additional information regarding our senior secured notes, see Note 2 in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Form 10-K.
We review our direct financing leases each reporting period to determine whether there were any indicators that the value of our net investments in direct financing leases may be impaired and adjust the allowance for any estimated changes in the credit loss with the resulting change recorded through our consolidated statement of operations. When determining a possible impairment, we take into consideration the collectability of direct financing lease receivables for which a reserve would be required. In addition, we determine whether there has been a permanent decline in the current estimate of the residual value of the property.
When we enter into a contract to sell properties that are recorded as direct financing leases, we evaluate whether we believe that it is probable that the disposition will occur. If we determine that the disposition is probable and therefore the property’s holding period is reduced, we record an allowance for credit losses to reflect the change in the estimate of the undiscounted future rents. Accordingly, the net investment balance is written down to fair value.
Notes and Mortgages Receivable
Notes and mortgages receivable consists of loans originated by us in conjunction with property dispositions and funding provided to tenants in conjunction with property acquisitions and capital improvements. Notes and mortgages receivable are recorded at stated principal amounts. In conjunction with our adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020, we estimate our credit loss reserve for our notes and mortgages receivable using the weighted average remaining maturity (“WARM”) method, which has been identified as an acceptable loss-rate method for estimating credit loss reserves in the FASB Staff Q&A Topic 326, No. 1. The WARM method requires us to reference historic loan loss data across a comparable data set and apply such loss rate to our notes and mortgages portfolio over its expected remaining term, taking into consideration expected economic conditions over the relevant timeframe. We applied the WARM method for our notes and mortgages portfolio, which share similar risk characteristics. Application of the WARM method to estimate a credit loss reserve requires significant judgment, including (i) the historical loan loss reference data, (ii) the expected timing and amount of loan repayments, and (iii) the current credit quality of our portfolio and our expectations of performance and market conditions over the relevant time period. To estimate the historic loan losses relevant to our portfolio, we used our historical loan performance since the launch of our loan origination business in 2013. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020, we recorded a credit loss reserve of $309,000, which was recognized as a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings and as a reduction of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of $30,855,000on the notes and mortgages receivable balance on our consolidated balance sheets on January 1, 2020. Periods prior to the adoption date that are presented for comparative purposes were not adjusted. At December 31, 2022 and 2021 the allowance for credit losses on notes and mortgages receivable was $278,000 and $297,000, respectively.
From time to time, we may originate construction loans for the construction of income-producing properties. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we funded construction loans in the amount of $20,193,000 and, as of December 31, 2022 construction loans totaling $25,898,000 were outstanding. Our construction loans generally provide for funding only during the construction phase, which is typically up to nine months, although our policy is to consider construction periods as long as 24 months. Funds are disbursed based on inspections in accordance with a schedule reflecting the completion of portions of the project. We also review and inspect each property before disbursement of funds during the term of the construction loan. At the end of the construction phase, the construction loan will be repaid with the proceeds from the sale of the property. We have the option to purchase the property at the end of the construction period.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents are held in the custody of financial institutions, and these balances, at times, may exceed federally insurable limits.
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Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash that is contractually restricted or held in escrow pursuant to various agreements with counterparties. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, restricted cash of $2,536,000 and $1,723,000, respectively, consisted of security deposits received from our tenants.
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Rent Receivable
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), (“Topic 606”) using the modified retrospective method applying it to any open contracts as of January 1, 2018. The new guidance provides a unified model to determine how revenue is recognized. To determine the proper amount of revenue to be recognized, we perform the following steps: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations within the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) a performance obligation is satisfied. Our primary source of revenue consists of revenue from rental properties and tenant reimbursements that is derived from leasing arrangements, which is specifically excluded from the standard, and thus had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements or notes to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Lease payments from operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under this method and the contractual lease payment terms is recorded as deferred rent receivable on our consolidated balance sheets. We review our accounts receivable, including its deferred rent receivable, related to base rents, straight-line rents, tenant reimbursements and other revenues for collectability. Our evaluation of collectability primarily consists of reviewing past due account balances and considers such factors as the credit quality of our tenant, historical trends of the tenant, changes in tenant payment terms, current economic trends, and other facts and circumstances related to the applicable tenants. In addition, with respect to tenants in bankruptcy, we estimate the probable recovery through bankruptcy claims. If a tenant’s accounts receivable balance is considered uncollectable, we will write off the related receivable balances and cease to recognize lease income, including straight-line rent unless cash is received. If the collectability assessment subsequently changes to probable, any difference between the lease income that would have been recognized if collectability had always been assessed as probable and the lease income recognized to date, is recognized as a current-period adjustment to revenues from rental properties. Our reported net earnings are directly affected by our estimate of the collectability of our accounts receivable.
The present value of the difference between the fair market rent and the contractual rent for above-market and below-market leases at the time properties are acquired is amortized into revenues from rental properties over the remaining terms of the in-place leases. Lease termination fees are recognized as other income when earned upon the termination of a tenant’s lease and relinquishment of space in which we have no further obligation to the tenant.
The sales of nonfinancial assets, such as real estate, are to be recognized when control of the asset transfers to the buyer, which will occur when the buyer has the ability to direct the use of or obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the asset. This generally occurs when the transaction closes and consideration is exchanged for control of the property.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Assets are written down to fair value when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the projected undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. Assets held for disposal are written down to fair value less estimated disposition costs.
We recorded impairment charges aggregating $3,545,000, $4,404,000 and $4,258,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our estimated fair values, as they relate to property carrying values, were primarily based upon (i) estimated sales prices from third-party offers based on signed contracts, letters of intent or indicative bids, for which we do not have access to the unobservable inputs used to determine these estimated fair values, and/or consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence (this method was used to determine $1,079,000 of the $3,545,000 in impairments recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022). During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded the remaining impairments of $2,466,000 of the $3,545,000 due to the accumulation of asset retirement costs as a result of changes in estimates associated with our estimated environmental liabilities which increased the carrying values of certain properties in excess of their fair values.For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, impairment charges aggregating $1,089,000, $919,000 and $932,000, respectively, were related to properties that were previously disposed of by us.
The estimated fair value of real estate is based on the price that would be received from the sale of the property in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In general, we consider multiple internal valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a property, all of which are based on unobservable inputs and assumptions that are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy. These unobservable inputs include assumed holding periods ranging up to 15 years, assumed average rent increases of 2.0% annually, income capitalized at a rate of 8.0% and cash flows discounted at a rate of 7.0%. These assessments have a direct impact on our net income because recording an impairment loss results in an immediate negative adjustment to net income. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is highly subjective and is based in part on assumptions regarding future rental rates and operating
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expenses that could differ materially from actual results in future periods. Where properties held for use have been identified as having a potential for sale, additional judgments are required related to the determination as to the appropriate period over which the projected undiscounted cash flows should include the operating cash flows and the amount included as the estimated residual value. This requires significant judgment. In some cases, the results of whether impairment is indicated are sensitive to changes in assumptions input into the estimates, including the holding period until expected sale.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
All of our financial instruments are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at amounts which, in our estimation based upon an interpretation of available market information and valuation methodologies, reasonably approximate their fair values, except those separately disclosed in the notes below.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates of fair value that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the period reported using a hierarchy (the “Fair Value Hierarchy”) that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The Fair Value Hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The levels of the Fair Value Hierarchy are as follows: “Level 1” – inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date; “Level 2” – inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and “Level 3” – inputs that are unobservable. Certain types of assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value either on a recurring or non-recurring basis. Assets required or elected to be marked-to-market and reported at fair value every reporting period are valued on a recurring basis. Other assets not required to be recorded at fair value every period may be recorded at fair value if a specific provision or other impairment is recorded within the period to mark the carrying value of the asset to market as of the reporting date. Such assets are valued on a non-recurring basis.
Environmental Remediation Obligations
We record the fair value of a liability for an environmental remediation obligation as an asset and liability when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset and the liability can be reasonably estimated. Environmental remediation obligations are estimated based on the level and impact of contamination at each property. The accrued liability is the aggregate of our estimate of the fair value of cost for each component of the liability. The accrued liability is net of estimated recoveries from state UST remediation funds considering estimated recovery rates developed from prior experience with the funds. Net environmental liabilities are currently measured based on their expected future cash flows which have been adjusted for inflation and discounted to present value. We accrue for environmental liabilities that we believe are allocable to other potentially responsible parties if it becomes probable that the other parties will not pay their environmental remediation obligations.
Litigation
Legal fees related to litigation are expensed as legal services are performed. We provide for litigation accruals, including certain litigation related to environmental matters, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of the liability can be made. If the estimate of the liability can only be identified as a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum of the range is accrued for the liability. We accrue our share of environmental litigation liabilities based on our assumptions of the ultimate allocation method and share that will be used when determining our share of responsibility.
Income Taxes
We file a federal income tax return on which are consolidated our tax items and the tax items of our subsidiaries that are pass-through entities. Effective January 1, 2001, we elected to qualify, and believe that we are operating so as to qualify, as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on qualifying REIT income, provided that distributions to our stockholders equal at least the amount of our taxable income as defined under the Internal Revenue Code. We accrue for uncertain tax matters when appropriate. The accrual for uncertain tax positions is adjusted as circumstances change and as the uncertainties become more clearly defined, such as when audits are settled or exposures expire. Tax returns for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, and tax returns which will be filed for the year ended 2022, remain open to examination by federal and state tax jurisdictions under the respective statutes of limitations.
New Accounting Pronouncements
On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. We adopted ASU 2020-04 during 2022 and the adoption of ASU 2020-04 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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NOTE 2. — LEASES
As Lessor
As of December 31, 2022, we owned 997 properties and leased 42 properties from third-party landlords. These 1,039 properties are located in 38 states across the United States and Washington, D.C. Substantially all of our properties are leased on a triple-net basis to convenience store operators, petroleum distributors, car wash operators and other automotive-related and retail tenants. Our tenants either operate their business at our properties directly or, in the case of certain convenience stores and gasoline and repair stations, sublet our properties and supply fuel to third parties that operate the businesses. Our triple-net lease tenants are responsible for the payment of all taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and other operating expenses relating to our properties, and are also responsible for environmental contamination occurring during the terms of their leases and in certain cases also for environmental contamination that existed before their leases commenced. For additional information regarding our environmental obligations, see Note 5 – Environmental Obligations.
The majority of our tenants’ financial results depend on convenience store sales, the sale of refined petroleum products and/or the sale of automotive services and parts. As a result, our tenants’ financial results can be dependent on the performance of the automobile manufacturing, petroleum marketing and automobile aftermarket industries, each of which are highly competitive and can be subject to variability. During the terms of our leases, we monitor the credit quality of our triple-net lease tenants by reviewing their published credit rating, if available, reviewing publicly available financial statements, or reviewing financial or other operating statements which are delivered to us pursuant to applicable lease agreements, monitoring news reports regarding our tenants and their respective businesses, and monitoring the timeliness of lease payments and the performance of other financial covenants under their leases.
Pursuant to ASU 2016-02, for leases in which we are the lessor, we are (i) retaining classification of our historical leases as we were not required to reassess classification upon adoption of the new standard, (ii) expensing indirect leasing costs in connection with new or extended tenant leases, the recognition of which would have been deferred under prior accounting guidance and (iii) aggregating revenue from our lease components and non-lease components (comprised of tenant reimbursements) into revenue from rental properties.
Revenues from rental properties for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, were $163,889,000, $153,886,000 and $144,601,000, respectively. Base rental income included in revenues from rental properties was $149,098,000, $138,691,000 and $128,246,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
In accordance with GAAP, we recognize rental revenue in amounts which vary from the amount of rent contractually due during the periods presented. As a result, revenues from rental properties include non-cash adjustments recorded for deferred rental revenue due to the recognition of rental income on a straight-line basis over the current lease term, the net amortization of above-market and below-market leases, rental income recorded under direct financing leases using the effective interest method which produces a constant periodic rate of return on the net investments in the leased properties and the amortization of deferred lease incentives (collectively, “Revenue Recognition Adjustments”). Revenue Recognition Adjustments included in revenues from rental properties resulted in a reduction in revenue of $1,948,000, $1,964,000, and $895,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 respectively.
Tenant reimbursements, which are included in revenues from rental properties and which consist of real estate taxes and other municipal charges paid by us which were reimbursed by our tenants pursuant to the terms of triple-net lease agreements, were $16,739,000, $17,159,000 and $17,250,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Direct Financing Leases
The components of the investment in direct financing leases as of December 31, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):
Allowance for credit losses (895 ) (826 )
In accordance with ASU 2016-13, we applied changes in loss reserves related to these direct financing leases totaling $578,000 as a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings and as a reduction of the investment in direct financing leases balance on our consolidated balance sheets on January 1, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an allowance for credit losses of $340,000 on our net investments in direct financing leases due to changes in expected economic conditions, which was included within other income in our consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recorded an additional allowance and a reduction for credit losses of $69,000 and $92,000, respectively, on our net investments in direct financing leases due to changes in expected economic conditions, which was included within other income in our consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recorded an allowance for credit losses of $895,000 and $826,000, respectively on investment in direct financing leases.
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Future contractual annual rentals receivable from our tenants, which have terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2022, are as follows (in thousands):
Operating Leases DirectFinancing Leases
As Lessee
For leases in which we are the lessee, ASU 2016-02 requires leases with durations greater than twelve months to be recognized on our consolidated balance sheets. We elected the package of transition provisions available for expired or existing contracts, which allowed us to carry forward our historical assessments of (i) whether contracts are or contain leases, (ii) lease classification and (iii) initial direct costs.
As of January 1, 2019, we recognized operating lease right-of-use assets of $25,561,000 (net of deferred rent expense) and operating lease liabilities of $26,087,000, which were presented on our consolidated financial statements. The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are carried at the present value of the remaining expected future lease payments. When available, we use the rate implicit in the lease to discount lease payments to present value; however, our current leases did not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, we estimated our incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on information available and considered factors such as interest rates available to us on a fully collateralized basis and terms of the leases. ASU 2016-02 did not have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets or on our consolidated statements of operations. The most significant impact was the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while our accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged.
The following presents the lease-related assets and liabilities (in thousands):
Assets
Right-of-use assets - operating $ 18,193
Right-of-use assets - finance 277
Total lease assets $ 18,470
Liabilities
Lease liability - operating $ 19,959
Lease liability - finance 1,518
Total lease liabilities $ 21,477
The following presents the weighted average lease terms and discount rates of our leases:
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases 7.3
Finance leases 5.8
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases (a) 4.70 %
Finance leases 16.70 %
(a)
Upon adoption of the new lease standard, discount rates used for existing leases were established at January 1, 2019.
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The following presents our total lease costs (in thousands):
Operating lease cost $ 3,655
Finance lease cost
Amortization of leased assets 487
Interest on lease liabilities 352
Short-term lease cost -
Total lease cost $ 4,494
The following presents supplemental cash flow information related to our leases (in thousands):
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 3,776
Operating cash flows for finance leases 352
Financing cash flows for finance leases 487
As of December 31, 2022, scheduled lease liabilities mature as follows (in thousands):
Operating Leases DirectFinancing Leases
Less: amount representing interest (4,724 ) (733 )
Present value of lease payments $ 19,959 $ 1,518
We have obligations to lessors under non-cancelable operating leases which have terms in excess of one year, principally for convenience store and gasoline station properties. The leased properties have a remaining lease term averaging approximately eight years, including renewal options. Future minimum annual rentals payable under such leases, excluding renewal options, are as follows: 2023 – $4,285,000, 2024 – $3,641,000, 2025 – $2,851,000, 2026 – $2,495,000, 2027 – $1,829,000 and $5,708,000 thereafter.
Rent expense, substantially all of which consists of minimum rentals on non-cancelable operating leases, amounted to $2,877,000, $3,393,000 and $3,769,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and is included in property costs. Rent received under subleases for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, was $6,400,000, $7,333,000 and $7,892,000, respectively, and is included in rental revenue discussed above.
Major Tenants
As of December 31, 2022, we had three significant tenants by revenue:
Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP) 150 16.0 % 16.0 %
APRO, LLC (d/b/a United Oil) 78 11.0 % 11.0 %
Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc.
Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. (“Marketing”) was our largest tenant from 1997 until 2012 under a unitary triple-net master lease that was terminated in April 2012 as a consequence of Marketing’s bankruptcy, at which time we either sold or released these properties. As of December 31, 2022, 329 of the properties we own or lease were previously leased to Marketing, of which 302 properties are subject to long-term triple-net leases with petroleum distributors in 12 separate property portfolios and 24 properties are leased as single unit triple-net leases, (an additional two properties are under redevelopment and one property is vacant). The leases covering properties
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previously leased to Marketing are unitary triple-net lease agreements generally with an initial term of 15 years and options for successive renewal terms of up to 20 years. Rent is scheduled to increase at varying intervals during both the initial and renewal terms of the leases. Several of the leases provide for additional rent based on the aggregate volume of fuel sold. In addition, the majority of the leases require the tenants to invest capital in our properties, substantially all of which are related to the replacement of USTs that are owned by our tenants. As of December 31, 2022, we have a remaining commitment to fund up to $6,541,000 in the aggregate with our tenants for our portion of such capital improvements. Our commitment provides us with the option to either reimburse our tenants or to offset rent when these capital expenditures are made. This deferred expense is recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rental revenue in our consolidated statements of operations over the life of the various leases.
As part of the triple-net leases for properties previously leased to Marketing, we transferred title of the USTs to our tenants, and the obligation to pay for the retirement and decommissioning or removal of USTs at the end of their useful lives, or earlier if circumstances warranted, was fully or partially transferred to our new tenants. We remain contingently liable for this obligation in the event that our tenants do not satisfy their responsibilities. Accordingly, through December 31, 2022, we removed $13,813,000 of asset retirement obligations and $10,808,000 of net asset retirement costs related to USTs from our balance sheet. The cumulative change of $894,000 (net of accumulated amortization of $2,111,000) is recorded as deferred rental revenue and will be recognized on a straight-line basis as additional revenues from rental properties over the terms of the various leases.
NOTE 3. — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Credit Risk
In order to minimize our exposure to credit risk associated with financial instruments, we place our temporary cash investments, if any, with high credit quality institutions. Temporary cash investments, if any, are currently held in an overnight bank time deposit with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and these balances, at times, may exceed federally insurable limits.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of our business. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had accrued $285,000 and $1,925,000, respectively, for certain of these matters which we believe were appropriate based on information then currently available. We are unable to estimate ranges in excess of the amount accrued with any certainty for these matters. It is possible that our assumptions regarding the ultimate allocation method and share of responsibility that we used to allocate environmental liabilities may change, which may result in our providing an accrual, or adjustments to the amounts recorded, for environmental litigation accruals. Matters related to our former Newark, New Jersey Terminal and the Lower Passaic River, our methyl tertiary butyl ether (a fuel derived from methanol, commonly referred to as “MTBE”) litigations in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland, could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, ability to pay dividends or stock price.
Matters related to our former Newark, New Jersey Terminal and the Lower Passaic River.
In 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued General Notice Letters (“GNL”) to over 100 entities, including us, alleging that they are potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) with respect to a 17-mile stretch of the Passaic River from Dundee Dam to the Newark Bay and its tributaries (the Lower Passaic River Study Area or “LPRSA”). The LPRSA is part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site (“Superfund Site”) that includes the former Diamond Shamrock Corporation manufacturing facility located at 80-120 Lister Ave. in Newark, New Jersey (the “Diamond Shamrock Facility"), the LPRSA, and the Newark Bay Study Area (i.e, Newark Bay and portions of surrounding rivers and channels). One of the GNL recipients is Occidental Chemical Corporation (“Occidental”), the predecessor to the former owner/operator of the Diamond Shamrock Facility responsible for the discharge of 2,3,8,8-TCDD (“dioxin”) and other hazardous substances. In May 2007, over 70 GNL recipients, including us, entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (“AOC”) with the EPA to perform a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (“RI/FS”) for the LPRSA to address investigation and evaluation of alternative remedial actions with respect to alleged damages to the entire 17-mile LPRSA, which EPA has designated Operable Unit 4 or “OU4”. Many of the parties to the AOC, including us, are also members of a Cooperating Parties Group (“CPG”). In 2015, the CPG submitted a draft RI/FS to EPA setting forth various alternatives for remediating the LPRSA. In October 2018, the EPA issued a letter directing the CPG to prepare a streamlined feasibility study for just the upper 9-miles of the LPRSA based on an iterative approach using adaptive management strategies. On December 4, 2020, the CPG submitted a Final Draft Interim Remedy Feasibility Study (“IR/FS”) to the EPA which identified various targeted dredge and cap alternatives for the upper 9-miles of the LPRSA. On September 28, 2021, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) for the upper 9-mile IR/FS (“Upper 9-mile IR ROD”) consisting of dredging and capping to control sediment sources of dioxin and PCBs at an estimated cost of $441,000,000.
In addition to the RI/FS activities, in June 2012, certain members of the CPG entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (“10.9 AOC”) with the EPA to perform certain remediation activities, including removal and capping of sediments at the river mile 10.9 area and certain testing, which remedial work has been completed. Concurrent with the CPG’s work on the RI/FS,
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on April 11, 2014, the EPA issued a draft Focused Feasibility Study (“FFS”) with proposed remedial alternatives to remediate the lower 8.3-miles of the LPRSA. On March 4, 2016, the EPA issued a ROD for the lower 8.3-miles (“Lower 8-mile ROD”) selecting a remedy that involves bank-to-bank dredging and installing an engineered cap with an estimated cost of $1,380,000,000.
On March 31, 2016, the EPA issued a “Notice of Potential Liability and Commencement of Negotiations for Remedial Design” (“Notice”) to more than 100 PRPs, including us, which informed the recipients that the EPA intends to seek an Administrative Order on Consent and Settlement Agreement with Occidental (who the EPA considers the primary contributor of dioxin and other pesticides generated from the production of Agent Orange at its Diamond Shamrock Facility and a discharger of other contaminants of concern (“COCs”) to the Superfund Site) requiring Occidental to prepare the remedial design of the remedy selected in the Lower 8-mile ROD. The EPA has designated the lower 8.3 miles of the LPRSA as Operable Unit 2 or “OU2”, which is geographically subsumed within OU4. On September 30, 2016, Occidental entered into an agreement with the EPA to perform the remedial design for OU2.
By letter dated March 30, 2017, the EPA advised the recipients of the Notice that it would be entering into cash out settlements with certain PRPs who the EPA stated did not discharge any of the eight hazardous substances identified as a COC in the Lower 8-mile ROD to resolve their alleged liability for OU2. Cash out settlements were finalized in 2018 and 2021 with a total of 21 PRPs. EPA’s March 30, 2017 Letter also stated that other parties who did not discharge dioxins, furans or polychlorinated biphenyls (which are considered the COCs posing the greatest risk to the river) may also be eligible for cash out settlements, and that the EPA would begin a process for identifying such other PRPs for negotiation of future cash out settlements and to initiate negotiations with Occidental and other major PRPs for the implementation and funding of the OU2 remedy. In August 2017, the EPA appointed an independent third-party allocation expert to conduct a confidential allocation proceeding that would assign non-binding shares of responsibility to PRPs identified by EPA for cash out settlements. Most of the PRPs identified by EPA, including the Company, participated in the allocation process. Occidental did not participate in the allocation proceedings, but filed a complaint on June 30, 2018, listing over 120 defendants, including us, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey seeking cost recovery and contribution under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for response costs incurred and to be incurred relating to the LPRSA, including the investigation, design, and anticipated implementation of the OU2 remedy (the “Occidental Lawsuit”). We continue to defend the claims asserted in the Occidental Lawsuit individually and in coordination with a group of several other named defendants known as the “Small Parties Group” or “SPG” consistent with our defenses in the related proceedings. On December 20, 2022, the parties filed an uncontested motion to stay the Occidental Lawsuit proceedings for six months while the court considers a proposed consent decree, discussed below, which, if approved, would bar the claims asserted against us for past and/or future response costs relating to the LPRSA, including the OU2 remedy.
The allocator issued a final Allocation Recommendation Report in December 2020, which was based upon an allocation methodology approved by EPA that contains associated allocation shares for each of the parties invited to participate in the allocation, including Occidental - who the allocator concluded was responsible for more than 99% of the costs to implement the OU2 remedy. As a result of the allocation process, the EPA and 85 parties (the “Settling Parties”), including us, began settlement negotiations and reached an agreement on a cash-out settlement to resolve their alleged liability for the remediation of the entire LPRSA. The EPA concluded that the Settling Parties, individually and collectively, were responsible for only a minor share of the response costs incurred and to be incurred at or in connection with implementing the OU2 and OU4 remedies for the entire 17-mile Lower Passaic River.
In December 2022, the EPA and the Settling Parties finalized their agreement in a proposed consent decree (“CD”), pursuant to which and without admitting liability, the Settling Parties agree to pay EPA the collective sum of $150,000,000 in exchange for contribution protection from claims by non-settling PRPs (including Occidental) for the matters addressed in the CD and the issuance of a notice of completion by EPA of both the 2007 RI/FS AOC and the 10.9 AOC, upon completion of certain defined tasks in the CD. All 85 Settling Parties contributed an agreed upon share of the settlement amount, which are subject to a confidentiality agreement. Our settlement contribution is in line with our legal reserves previously established and transferred to an escrow account based on likelihoods reasonably known to us at this time. On December 16, 2022, the United States filed an action in the New Jersey District Court against the Settling Defendants which included lodging of the proposed CD to resolve claims against the Settling Parties for costs associated with cleaning up the LPRSA. This action (the “CD Action”) is subject to public comment and court approval. On December 22, 2022, the EPA published a notice of lodging of the proposed CD in the Federal Register, opening a 45-day public comment period, which was subsequently extended to 90-days. On December 23, 2022, Occidental filed a motion to intervene in the CD Action contending that it intends to challenge the proposed CD and seek to preserve its contribution claims against the Settling Parties in the pending Occidental Lawsuit.
If the CD Action is approved in its current form, our alleged liability to the EPA as well as any non-settling parties, including Occidental, for the remediation of the entire 17-mile Lower Passaic River and its tributaries will be resolved. In the event the District Court does not approve the proposed CD, based on currently known facts and circumstances, including, among other factors, the EPA’s conclusion that we are individually and collectively with numerous other parties only responsible for a minor share of the response costs incurred or to be incurred in connection with the LPRSA, our relative participation in the costs related to the 2007 AOC and 10.9 AOC, our belief that there was not any use or discharge of dioxins, furans or polychlorinated biphenyls in connection with our former petroleum storage operations at our former Newark, New Jersey Terminal, and that there are numerous other parties who will likely bear the costs of remediation and/or damages, we do not believe that resolution of the Lower Passaic River proceedings as relates to us is reasonably
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likely to have a material impact on our results of operations. Nevertheless, if the proposed CD is not approved by the District Court in its current form, performance of the EPA’s selected remedies for the LPRSA may be subject to future negotiation, potential enforcement proceedings and/or possible litigation and, on this basis, our ultimate liability in the pending and possible future proceedings pertaining to the LPRSA remains uncertain and subject to contingencies which cannot be predicted and the outcome of which are not yet known. The Company has established an estimated legal reserve and transferred funds to an escrow account based on likelihoods reasonably known to us at this time, however it is possible that circumstances may change and losses related to the Lower Passaic River proceedings could exceed the amounts we have accrued.
MTBE Litigation – State of Pennsylvania
On July 7, 2014, our subsidiary, Getty Properties Corp., was served with a complaint filed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the “State”) in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County relating to alleged statewide MTBE contamination in Pennsylvania. The named plaintiff is the State, by and through (then) Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane (as Trustee of the waters of the State), the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (which governs and administers the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (vested with the authority to protect the environment) and the Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. The complaint names us and more than 50 other petroleum refiners, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of MTBE or gasoline containing MTBE who are alleged to have distributed, stored and sold MTBE gasoline in Pennsylvania. The complaint seeks compensation for natural resource damages and for injuries sustained as a result of “defendants’ unfair and deceptive trade practices and act in the marketing of MTBE and gasoline containing MTBE.” The plaintiffs also seek to recover costs paid or incurred by the State to detect, treat and remediate MTBE from public and private water wells and groundwater. The plaintiffs assert causes of action against all defendants based on multiple theories, including strict liability – defective design; strict liability – failure to warn; public nuisance; negligence; trespass; and violation of consumer protection law.
The case was filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, but was removed by defendants to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and then transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York so that it may be managed as part of the ongoing MTBE MDL proceedings. In November 2015, plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint naming additional defendants and adding factual allegations against the defendants. We joined with other defendants in the filing of a motion to dismiss the claims against us, which was granted in part and denied in part. We are vigorously defending the claims made against us. Our ultimate liability in this proceeding is uncertain and subject to numerous contingencies which cannot be predicted and the outcome of which are not yet known.
MTBE Litigation – State of Maryland
On December 17, 2017, the State of Maryland, by and through the Attorney General on behalf of the Maryland Department of Environment and the Maryland Department of Health (the “State of Maryland”), filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City related to alleged statewide MTBE contamination in Maryland. The complaint was served upon us on January 19, 2018. The complaint names us and more than 60 other defendants. The complaint seeks compensation for natural resource damages and for injuries sustained as a result of the defendants’ unfair and deceptive trade practices in the marketing of MTBE and gasoline containing MTBE. The plaintiffs also seek to recover costs paid or incurred by the State of Maryland to detect, investigate, treat and remediate MTBE from public and private water wells and groundwater, punitive damages and the award of attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. The plaintiffs assert causes of action against all defendants based on multiple theories, including strict liability – defective design; strict liability – failure to warn; strict liability for abnormally dangerous activity; public nuisance; negligence; trespass; and violations of Titles 4, 7 and 9 of the Maryland Environmental Code.
On February 14, 2018, defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. We are vigorously defending the claims made against us. Our ultimate liability, if any, in this proceeding is uncertain and subject to numerous contingencies which cannot be predicted and the outcome of which are not yet known.
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NOTE 4. — DEBT
The amounts outstanding under our credit agreement and our senior unsecured notes are as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Unamortized debt issuance costs, net (b) (3,545 ) (3,880 )
(a)
Pursuant to the Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement, we issued $80,000 of 3.65% Series Q Notes due January 20, 2033 to Prudential in January 2023 and used a portion of the proceeds to repay in full the $75,000 of 5.35% Series B Notes due June 2, 2023.
(b)
Unamortized debt issuance costs, related to the Revolving Facility, at December 31, 2022 and 2021, of $2,036 and $2,730, respectively, are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
Credit Agreement
In October 2021, the Company entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement (as amended, the “Second Restated Credit Agreement”). The Second Restated Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 and includes an accordion feature to increase the revolving commitments or add one or more tranches of term loans up to an additional aggregate amount not to exceed $300,000,000, subject to certain conditions, including one or more new or existing lenders agreeing to provide commitments for such increased amount and that no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the terms of the Revolving Facility.
The Revolving Facility matures October 27, 2025, subject to two six-month extensions (for a total of 12 months) exercisable at the Company's option. The Company's exercise of an extension option is subject to the absence of any default under the Second Restated Credit Agreement and the Company's compliance with certain conditions, including the payment of extension fees to the Lenders under the Revolving Facility and that no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the terms of the Revolving Facility.
In December 2022, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the Second Restated Credit Agreement to transition the applicable interest rates and default rate thereunder from LIBOR-based rates to SOFR-based rates. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at a rate equal to the sum of a SOFR rate plus a margin of 1.30% to 1.90% or the sum of a base rate plus a margin of 0.30% to 0.90% based on the Company’s consolidated total indebtedness to total asset value ratio at the end of each quarterly reporting period.
The per annum rate of the unused line fee on the undrawn funds under the Revolving Facility is 0.15% to 0.25% based on the Company’s daily unused portion of the available Revolving Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
In February 2022, the Company entered into a sixth amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Prudential”) (the "Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement") pursuant to which, in January 2023, the Company issued $80,000,000 of 3.65% Series Q Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 20, 2033 (the “Series Q Notes”) to Prudential and used the proceeds to repay the $75,000,000 of 5.35% Series B Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 2, 2023 (the “Series B Notes”) outstanding under its fifth amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with Prudential (the "Fifth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement"). The other senior unsecured notes outstanding under the Fifth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement, including (i) $50,000,000 of 4.75% Series C Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 25, 2025 (the “Series C Notes”), (ii) $50,000,000 of 5.47% Series D Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 21, 2028 (the “Series D Notes”), (iii) $50,000,000 of 3.52% Series F Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 12, 2029 (the “Series F Notes”) and (iv) $100,000,000 of 3.43% Series I Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 25, 2030 (the “Series I Notes”), remain outstanding under the Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement.
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In February 2022, the Company entered into a second amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with American General Life Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “AIG”) (the “Second Amended and Restated AIG Agreement”) pursuant to which it issued $55,000,000 of 3.45% Series L Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 22, 2032 (the “Series L Notes”) to AIG. The other senior unsecured notes outstanding under the Company's first amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with AIG (the “First Amended and Restated AIG Agreement”), including (i) $50,000,000 of 3.52% Series G Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 12, 2029 (the “Series G Notes”) and (ii) $50,000,000 of 3.43% Series J Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 25, 2030 (the “Series J Notes”), remain outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated AIG Agreement.
In February 2022, the Company entered into a second amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “MassMutual”) (the “Second Amended and Restated MassMutual Agreement”) pursuant to which it issued $20,000,000 of 3.45% Series M Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 22, 2032 (the “Series M Notes”) and, in January 2023, $20,000,000 of 3.65% Series O Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 20, 2033 (the “Series O Notes”) to MassMutual. The other senior unsecured notes outstanding under the Company's first amended and restated note purchase and guarantee agreement with MassMutual (the “First Amended and Restated MassMutual Agreement”), including (i) $25,000,000 of 3.52% Series H Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 12, 2029 (the “Series H Notes”) and (ii) $25,000,000 of 3.43% Series K Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 25, 2030 (the “Series K Notes”), remain outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated MassMutual Agreement.
In February 2022, the Company entered into a note purchase and guarantee agreement with New York Life Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “New York Life”) (the “New York Life Agreement”) pursuant to which it issued $25,000,000 of 3.45% Series N Guaranteed Senior Notes due February 22, 2032 (the “Series N Notes”) and, in January 2023, $25,000,000 of 3.65% Series P Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 20, 2033 (the “Series P Notes”) to New York Life.
On June 21, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase and guarantee agreement with MetLife and certain of its affiliates (collectively, "MetLife") (the “MetLife Agreement”) pursuant to which it issued $50.0 million of 5.47% Series E Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 21, 2028 (the “Series E Notes”) to MetLife.
The funded and outstanding Series B Notes, Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes, Series F Note, Series G Notes, Series H Notes, Series I Notes, Series J Notes, Series K Notes, Series L Notes, Series M Notes and Series N Notes are collectively referred to the "senior unsecured notes".
Covenants
The Second Restated Credit Agreement and senior unsecured notes contain customary financial covenants such as leverage, coverage ratios and minimum tangible net worth, as well as limitations on restricted payments, which may limit our ability to incur additional debt or pay dividends. The Second Restated Credit Agreement and our senior unsecured notes also contain customary events of default, including cross defaults to each other, change of control and failure to maintain REIT status (provided that the senior unsecured notes require a mandatory offer to prepay the notes upon a change in control in lieu of a change of control event of default). Any event of default, if not cured or waived in a timely manner, would increase by 200 basis points (2.00%) the interest rate we pay under the Second Restated Credit Agreement and our senior unsecured notes, and could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness under the Second Restated Credit Agreement and our senior unsecured notes. We may be prohibited from drawing funds under the Revolving Facility if there is any event or condition that constitutes an event of default under the Second Restated Credit Agreement or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an event of default under the Second Restated Credit Agreement.
As of December 31, 2022, we are in compliance with all of the material terms of the Second Restated Credit Agreement and our senior unsecured notes, including the various financial covenants described herein.
Debt Maturities
As of December 31, 2022, scheduled debt maturities, including balloon payments, are as follows (in thousands):
RevolvingFacility SeniorUnsecured Notes Total
(a)
Pursuant to the Sixth Amended and Restated Prudential Agreement, the Company issued $80,000,000 of 3.65% Series Q Notes due January 20, 2033 to Prudential in January 2023 and used a portion of the proceeds to repay in full the $75,000,000 of 5.35% Series B Notes due June 2, 2023.
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(b)
The Revolving Facility matures in October 2025. Subject to the terms of the Second Restated Credit Agreement and our continued compliance with its provisions, we have the option to extend the term of the Revolving Facility for two six months periods to October 2026.
NOTE 5. — ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, including matters relating to the protection of the environment such as the remediation of known contamination and the retirement and decommissioning or removal of long-lived assets including buildings containing hazardous materials, USTs and other equipment. Environmental costs are principally attributable to remediation costs which are incurred for, among other things, removing USTs, excavation of contaminated soil and water, installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioning remediation systems, monitoring contamination and governmental agency compliance reporting required in connection with contaminated properties.
We enter into leases and various other agreements which contractually allocate responsibility between the parties for known and unknown environmental liabilities at or relating to the subject properties. Under applicable law, we are contingently liable for these environmental obligations in the event that our tenant does not satisfy them, and we are required to accrue for environmental liabilities that we believe are allocable to others under our leases if we determine that it is probable that our tenant will not meet its environmental obligations. It is possible that our assumptions regarding the ultimate allocation method and share of responsibility that we used to allocate environmental liabilities may change, which may result in material adjustments to the amounts recorded for environmental litigation accruals and environmental remediation liabilities. We assess whether to accrue for environmental liabilities based upon relevant factors including our tenants’ histories of paying for such obligations, our assessment of their financial capability, and their intent to pay for such obligations. However, there can be no assurance that our assessments are correct or that our tenants who have paid their obligations in the past will continue to do so. We may ultimately be responsible to pay for environmental liabilities as the property owner if our tenant fails to pay them.
The estimated future costs for known environmental remediation requirements are accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The accrued liability is the aggregate of our estimate of the fair value of cost for each component of the liability, net of estimated recoveries from state UST remediation funds considering estimated recovery rates developed from prior experience with the funds.
For substantially all of our triple-net leases, our tenants are contractually responsible for compliance with environmental laws and regulations, removal of USTs at the end of their lease term (the cost of which is mainly the responsibility of our tenant, but in certain cases partially paid for by us) and remediation of any environmental contamination that arises during the term of their tenancy. In addition, for substantially all of our triple-net leases, our tenants are contractually responsible for known environmental contamination that existed at the commencement of the lease and for preexisting unknown environmental contamination that is discovered during the term of the lease.
For the subset of our triple-net leases which cover properties previously leased to Marketing (substantially all of which commenced in 2012), the allocation of responsibility differs from our other triple-net leases as it relates to preexisting known and unknown contamination. Under the terms of our leases covering properties previously leased to Marketing, we agreed to be responsible for environmental contamination that was known at the time the lease commenced, and for unknown environmental contamination which existed prior to commencement of the lease and which is discovered (other than as a result of a voluntary site investigation) during the first 10 years of the lease term (or a shorter period for a minority of such leases) (a “Lookback Period”). Similarly, for certain properties previously leased to Marketing which we have sold, we have agreed to be responsible for environmental contamination that was known at the time of the sale and for unknown environmental contamination which existed prior to the sale and which is discovered (other than as a result of a voluntary site investigation) within 5 years of the closing (also, a “Lookback Period”). Substantially all of these Lookback Periods have now expired, therefore responsibility for all newly discovered contamination at these properties, even if it relates to periods prior to commencement of the lease or sale, is the contractual responsibility of our tenant or buyer, as the case may be.
In the course of UST removals and replacements at certain properties previously leased to Marketing where we retained responsibility for preexisting unknown environmental contamination until expiration of the applicable Lookback Period, environmental contamination has been and continues to be discovered. As a result, we developed an estimate of fair value for the prospective future environmental liability resulting from preexisting unknown environmental contamination and accrued for these estimated costs. These estimates are based primarily upon quantifiable trends which we believe allow us to make reasonable estimates of fair value for the future costs of environmental remediation resulting from the anticipated removal and replacement of USTs. Our accrual of this liability represents our estimate of the fair value of the cost for each component of the liability, net of estimated recoveries from state UST remediation funds considering estimated recovery rates developed from prior experience. In arriving at our accrual, we analyzed the ages and expected useful lives of USTs at properties where we would be responsible for preexisting unknown environmental contamination and we projected a cost to closure for remediation of such contamination.
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During the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, the Lookback Periods for most of the properties we previously leased to Marketing expired. Based on the expiration of the Lookback Periods, together with other factors which have significantly mitigated our potential liability for preexisting environmental obligations, including the absence of any contractual obligations relating to properties which have been sold, quantifiable trends associated with types and ages of USTs at issue, expectations regarding future UST replacements, and historical trends and expectations regarding discovery of preexisting unknown environmental contamination and/or attempted pursuit of the Company therefor, we concluded that there is no material continued risk of having to satisfy contractual obligations relating to preexisting unknown environmental contamination at certain properties. Accordingly, we removed $23,543,000 of unknown reserve liabilities which had previously been accrued for these properties. This resulted in a net credit of $22,193,000 being recorded to environmental expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.
We continue to anticipate that our tenants under leases where the Lookback Periods have expired will replace USTs in the years ahead as these USTs near the end of their expected useful lives. At many of these properties the USTs in use are fabricated with older generation materials and technologies and we believe it is prudent to expect that upon their removal preexisting unknown environmental contamination will be identified. Although contractually these tenants are now responsible for preexisting unknown environmental contamination that is discovered during UST replacements, because the applicable Lookback Periods have expired before the end of the initial term of these leases, together with other relevant factors, we believe there remains continued risk that we will be responsible for remediation of preexisting environmental contamination associated with future UST removals at certain properties. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate at this time to maintain $11,133,000 of unknown reserve liabilities for certain properties with respect to which the Lookback Periods have expired as of December 31, 2022.
We measure our environmental remediation liabilities at fair value based on expected future net cash flows, adjusted for inflation (using a range of 2.0% to 2.75%), and then discount them to present value (using a range of 4.0% to 7.0%). We adjust our environmental remediation liabilities quarterly to reflect changes in projected expenditures, changes in present value due to the passage of time and reductions in estimated liabilities as a result of actual expenditures incurred during each quarter. As of December 31, 2022, we had accrued a total of $23,155,000 for our prospective environmental remediation obligations. This accrual consisted of (a) $10,797,000, which was our estimate of reasonably estimable environmental remediation liability, including obligations to remove USTs for which we are responsible, net of estimated recoveries and (b) $12,358,000 for future environmental liabilities related to preexisting unknown contamination. As of December 31, 2021, we had accrued a total of $47,597,000 for our prospective environmental remediation obligations. This accrual consisted of (a) $11,382,000, which was our estimate of reasonably estimable environmental remediation liability, including obligations to remove USTs for which we are responsible, net of estimated recoveries and (b) $36,215,000 for future environmental liabilities related to preexisting unknown contamination.
Environmental liabilities are accreted for the change in present value due to the passage of time and, accordingly, $1,259,000, $1,705,000 and $1,841,000 of net accretion expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in environmental expenses. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recorded credits to environmental expenses aggregating $23,837,000, $1,768,000 and $3,136,000, respectively, where decreases in estimated remediation costs exceeded the depreciated carrying value of previously capitalized asset retirement costs. Environmental expenses also include project management fees, legal fees and environmental litigation accruals. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, changes in environmental estimates aggregating, $1,983,000, $147,000 and $154,000, respectively, were related to properties that were previously disposed of by us.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we increased the carrying values of certain of our properties by $3,269,000 and $3,004,000, respectively, due to changes in estimated environmental remediation costs. The recognition and subsequent changes in estimates in environmental liabilities and the increase or decrease in carrying values of the properties are non-cash transactions which do not appear on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Capitalized asset retirement costs are being depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the UST, a 10-year period if the increase in carrying value is related to environmental remediation obligations or such shorter period if circumstances warrant, such as the remaining lease term for properties we lease from others. Depreciation and amortization expense related to capitalized asset retirement costs in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, were $3,672,000, $4,004,000 and $4,020,000, respectively. Capitalized asset retirement costs were $33,213,000 (consisting of $24,742,000 of known environmental liabilities and $8,471,000 of reserves for future environmental liabilities) as of December 31, 2022, and $39,670,000 (consisting of $24,075,000 of known environmental liabilities and $15,595,000 of reserves for future environmental liabilities) as of December 31, 2021. We recorded impairment charges aggregating $2,480,000 and $3,074,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for capitalized asset retirement costs.
Environmental exposures are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons, including the amount of data available upon initial assessment of contamination, alternative treatment methods that may be applied, location of the property which subjects it to differing local laws and regulations and their interpretations, changes in costs associated with environmental remediation services and equipment, the availability of state UST remediation funds and the possibility of existing legal claims giving rise to allocation of responsibilities to others, as well as the time it takes to remediate contamination and receive regulatory approval. In developing our liability for estimated environmental remediation obligations on a property by property basis, we consider, among other things, laws
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and regulations, assessments of contamination and surrounding geology, quality of information available, currently available technologies for treatment, alternative methods of remediation and prior experience. Environmental accruals are based on estimates derived upon facts known to us at this time, which are subject to significant change as circumstances change, and as environmental contingencies become more clearly defined and reasonably estimable.
Any changes to our estimates or our assumptions that form the basis of our estimates may result in our providing an accrual, or adjustments to the amounts recorded, for environmental remediation liabilities.
In July 2012, we purchased a 10-year pollution legal liability insurance policy covering substantially all of our properties at that time for discovery of preexisting unknown environmental liabilities and for new environmental events. The policy had a $50,000,000 aggregate limit and was subject to various self-insured retentions and other conditions and limitations. This policy expired in July 2022, although claims made prior to such expiration remain subject to coverage. In September 2022, we purchased a 5-year pollution legal liability insurance policy to cover a subset of our properties which we believe present the greatest risk for discovery of preexisting unknown environmental liabilities and for new environmental events. The policy has a $25,000,000 in aggregate limit and is subject to various self-insured retentions and other conditions and limitations. Our intention in purchasing this policy was to obtain protection for certain properties which we believe have the greatest risk of significant environmental events.
In light of the uncertainties associated with environmental expenditure contingencies, we are unable to estimate ranges in excess of the amount accrued with any certainty; however, we believe that it is possible that the fair value of future actual net expenditures could be substantially higher than amounts currently recorded by us. Adjustments to accrued liabilities for environmental remediation obligations will be reflected in our consolidated financial statements as they become probable and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.
NOTE 6. — INCOME TAXES
Net cash paid for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, of $557,000, $355,000 and $350,000, respectively, includes amounts related to state and local income taxes for jurisdictions that do not follow the federal tax rules, which are provided for in property costs in our consolidated statements of operations.
Earnings and profits (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) are used to determine the tax attributes of dividends paid to stockholders and will differ from income reported for consolidated financial statements purposes due to the effect of items which are reported for income tax purposes in years different from that in which they are recorded for consolidated financial statements purposes. The federal tax attributes of the common dividends for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, were:
Capital gain distributions 3.00 % 5.50 % 3.40 %
To qualify for taxation as a REIT, we, among other requirements such as those related to the composition of our assets and gross income, must distribute annually to our stockholders at least 90% of our taxable income, including taxable income that is accrued by us without a corresponding receipt of cash. We cannot provide any assurance that our cash flows will permit us to continue paying cash dividends. Should the Internal Revenue Service successfully assert that our earnings and profits were greater than the amount distributed, we may fail to qualify as a REIT; however, we may avoid losing our REIT status by paying a deficiency dividend to eliminate any remaining earnings and profits. We may have to borrow money or sell assets to pay such a deficiency dividend. Although tax returns for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, and tax returns which will be filed for the year ended 2022, remain open to examination by federal and state tax jurisdictions under the respective statute of limitations, we have not currently identified any uncertain tax positions related to those years and, accordingly, have not accrued for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2022 or 2021. However, uncertain tax matters may have a significant impact on the results of operations for any single fiscal year or interim period.
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NOTE 7. — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, is as follows (in thousands):
Common Stock AdditionalPaid-in DividendsPaid in Excess
Shares Amount Capital of Earnings Total
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment 14 — 443 — 443
Stock-based compensation and settlements 16 — 2,873 — 2,873
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment 3 — 80 — 80
Stock-based compensation and settlements 64 1 3,266 — 3,267
Shares issued pursuant to ATM Program, net — — (207 ) — (207 )
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment 2 — 59 — 59
Stock-based compensation and settlements 17 — 4,279 — 4,279
On March 1, 2022, March 1, 2021, and July 19, 2021, our Board of Directors granted 238,850, 192,550, and 3,500 restricted stock units (“RSU” or “RSUs”), respectively, under our Amended and Restated 2004 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
ATM Program
In March 2018, the Company established an at-the-market equity offering program (the “2018 ATM Program”), pursuant to which it was able to issue and sell shares of its common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $125,000,000 through a consortium of banks acting as agents. The 2018 ATM Program was terminated in January 2021.