INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY INVESTEES

Investment in equity investees includes NJR's equity method and cost method investments.

Equity Method Investments



(Thousands)	June 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
Steckman Ridge	$	128,255	$	129,707
Iroquois	24,257		23,084
Total	$	152,512	$	152,791

As of June 30, 2014, the investment in Steckman Ridge includes loans with a total outstanding principal balance of $70.4 million. The loans accrue interest at a variable rate that resets quarterly and are due October 1, 2023.

NJRES and NJNG have entered into transportation, storage and park and loan agreements with Steckman Ridge and Iroquois. See Note 14. Related Party Transactions for more information on these intercompany transactions.

Cost Method Investments

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, NJR invested $8.8 million in OwnEnergy, a developer of onshore wind projects, for an 18.7 percent ownership interest and the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain qualified projects. This investment is accounted for in accordance with the cost method of accounting. The Company does not estimate the fair value of its cost method investment since it is impracticable to do so. As of June 30, 2014, the Company has not identified any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of its investment in OwnEnergy.

On October 11, 2013, NJRCEV acquired the development rights of the Two Dot wind project in Montana, which is its first onshore wind project. NJRCEV invested approximately $22 million to construct the 9.7 MW wind project, which was completed in June 2014. In the second fiscal quarter of 2014, NJRCEV acquired the development rights to its second wind project, a $42 million, 20 MW wind farm currently under construction in Carroll County, Iowa, which NJRCEV expects to be operational in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.