PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2022
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS	15. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS Due to the economic uncertainties created by COVID-19 and limited operating funds available, the Company applied for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). On April 15, 2020, Energy Services of America Corporation and subsidiaries C.J. Hughes Construction Company, Contractors Rental Corporation and Nitro Construction Services, Inc. entered into separate Paycheck Protection Program notes effective April 7, 2020, with United Bank, Inc. as the lender (“Lender”) in an aggregate principal amount of $13,139,100 pursuant to the PPP (collectively, the “PPP Loan”). In a special meeting held on April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously voted to return $3.3 million of the PPP Loan funds after discussing the financing needs of the Company and subsidiaries. That left the Company and subsidiaries with $9.8 million in PPP Loans to fund operations. In fiscal year 2021, the Company received notice that the SBA had granted forgiveness and repaid $9.8 million of the PPP borrowings to the Lender. Borrowers must retain PPP documentation for at least 6 years after the date the loan is forgiven or paid in full, and the SBA and SBA Inspector General must be granted these files upon request. The SBA could still revisit its forgiveness decision and determine that the Company does not qualify in whole or in part for loan forgiveness and demand repayment of the loans. In addition, it is unknown what type of penalties could be assessed against the Company if the SBA disagrees with the Company’s certification. Any penalties in addition to the potential return of the PPP Loan could negatively impact the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

15. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS

Due to the economic uncertainties created by COVID-19 and limited operating funds available, the Company applied for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). On April 15, 2020, Energy Services of America Corporation and subsidiaries C.J. Hughes Construction Company, Contractors Rental Corporation and Nitro Construction Services, Inc. entered into separate Paycheck Protection Program notes effective April 7, 2020, with United Bank, Inc. as the lender (“Lender”) in an aggregate principal amount of $13,139,100 pursuant to the PPP (collectively, the “PPP Loan”). In a special meeting held on April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously voted to return $3.3 million of the PPP Loan funds after discussing the financing needs of the Company and subsidiaries. That left the Company and subsidiaries with $9.8 million in PPP Loans to fund operations.

In fiscal year 2021, the Company received notice that the SBA had granted forgiveness and repaid $9.8 million of the PPP borrowings to the Lender. Borrowers must retain PPP documentation for at least 6 years after the date the loan is forgiven or paid in full, and the SBA and SBA Inspector General must be granted these files upon request. The SBA could still revisit its forgiveness decision and determine that the Company does not qualify in whole or in part for loan forgiveness and demand repayment of the loans. In addition, it is unknown what type of penalties could be assessed against the Company if the SBA disagrees with the Company’s certification. Any penalties in addition to the potential return of the PPP Loan could negatively impact the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects.