NOTE 17 – JOINT VENTURES/NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

Non-controlling interests included on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company are detailed as follows:

Gerlach Geothermal LLC
On April 28, 2008, the Company formed Gerlach Geothermal, LLC (“Gerlach”) with our partner, Gerlach Green Energy, LLC (“GGE”). The purpose of the joint venture is the exploration of the Gerlach geothermal system, which is located in northwestern Nevada, near the town of Gerlach. Based upon the terms of the members’ agreement, the Company owns a 60% interest and GGE owns a 40% interest in Gerlach Geothermal, LLC. The agreement gives GGE an option to maintain its 40% ownership interest as additional capital contributions are required. If GGE dilutes to below a 10% interest, their ownership position in the joint venture would be converted to a 10% net profits interest. The Company has contributed $757,190 in cash and $300,000 for a geothermal lease and mineral rights; and the GGE has contributed $704,460 of geothermal lease, mineral rights and exploration data.

The consolidated financial statements reflect 100% of the assets and liabilities of Gerlach, and report the current non-controlling interest of GGE. The full results of Gerlach’s operations are reflected in the statement of operations with the elimination of the non-controlling interest identified.

Oregon USG Holdings LLC
In September 2010, the Company’s subsidiary, Oregon USG Holdings LLC (“Oregon Holdings”), signed an Operating Agreement with Enbridge Inc. (“Enbridge”) for the right to participate in the Company’s project in the Neal Hot Springs project located in Malheur County, Oregon. Enbridge has contributed a total of $18,924,000, including the debt conversion, to Oregon Holdings in exchange for a 20% direct ownership interest. At the Company’s election, the agreement allows for additional contributions of up to $5 million that would increase Enbridge’s ownership by 1.5 percentage points for each $1 million contributed. Added to their base 20% ownership, additional payments could increase Enbridge’s ownership to a maximum of 27.5% under the existing agreement. The Company has contributed $13,492,000 to Oregon Holdings and has an 80% ownership interest. Oregon Holdings has a 100% ownership interest in USG Oregon LLC. After the initial contributions noted above, the Company and Enbridge have made additional capital contributions of $462,616 and $13,877,000 ; respectively. The impact of the additional contributions to the profit and loss allocation percentages could increase Enbridge’s ownership to 44%. The actual non-controlling ownership interest has not been determined, but has been estimated between 30% and 40%. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the profit and loss allocation rate of 35% was utilized that was based upon an estimate of the expected ownership percentage after the contribution levels and other terms of the new ownership agreement are finalized. Prior to January 1, 2013, the allocation rate of 20% was used that was based upon the terms of the initial agreement.

The consolidated financial statements reflect 100% of the assets and liabilities of Oregon Holdings and USG Oregon LLC, and report the current non-controlling interest of Enbridge. The full results of Oregon Holdings and USG Oregon LLC’s operations are reflected in the statement of operations with the elimination of the non-controlling interest identified.

Raft River Energy I LLC (“RREI”)
Raft River Energy I is a joint venture between the Company and Raft River I Holdings, LLC a subsidiary of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. An Operating Agreement governs the rights and responsibilities of both parties. At fiscal year end, the Company had contributed approximately $17.9 million in cash and property, and RREI has contributed approximately $34.1 million in cash. Profits and losses are allocated to the members based upon contractual terms. For income tax purposes, Raft River I Holdings, LLC receives a greater proportion of the share of losses and other income tax benefits. This includes the allocation of production tax credits, which will be distributed 99% to Raft River I Holdings, LLC and 1% to the Company during the first 10 years of production. During the initial years of operations, Raft River I Holdings, LLC will receive a larger allocation of cash distributions.

The consolidated financial statements reflect 100% of the assets and liabilities of RREI, and report the current non-controlling interest of Raft River I Holdings LLC. The full results of Raft River Energy I LLC’s operations are reflected in the statement of operations with the elimination of the non-controlling interest identified.

Effective May 17, 2011, a repair services agreement (“RSA”) was executed between the RREI and U.S. Geothermal Services, LLC for the purpose of funding repairs of two underperforming wells. The agreement defined terms of the RSA repair costs and RSA repair management fees that would be funded by the loan. The outstanding loan balance will accrue interest at 12.0% per annum. The RSA payments will be made preferentially from project cash flow at a rate of 90% of increased cash created by the repairs and cash availability on a quarterly basis. The repairs were completed in January 2012. Based upon the financial conditions applicable to the loan, RREI did not make any payments during the year ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2012, the loan balance amounted to $2,136,150. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, RREI made payments on the loan of $258,410. The balance of the loan at March 31, 2013 was $1,934,490. The loan balance and related interest effects are fully eliminated during the consolidation process.