FOLSOM, N.J. & EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. & WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--South Jersey Industries (SJI), an energy infrastructure holding company, OPAL Fuels Inc. (Nasdaq: OPAL), a leading vertically integrated producer and distributor of renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable energy, and Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA), announced that construction has commenced on a new RNG production facility (Atlantic RNG) located at ACUA’s solid waste landfill in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
In conjunction with OPAL Fuels, SJI is developing the Atlantic RNG facility through its rapidly expanding subsidiary SJI Renewable Energy Ventures (SJI Renewables), which specializes in developing waste to energy projects throughout North America.
As part of its commitment to provide safe, reliable, affordable energy solutions, South Jersey Gas, an SJI subsidiary, will enter into an interconnection agreement to accept the RNG produced by Atlantic RNG. This initiative supports the circular economy model of production and consumption which reuses and recycles waste into the energy we use every day.
“We have been working hard in recent years to enhance our infrastructure to deliver the fuels of the future,” said Brent Schomber, President of South Jersey Gas. “We are excited to work with ACUA, SJI Renewables, and OPAL Fuels as we celebrate a new milestone of adding RNG to our gas supply.”
“The groundbreaking of this renewable natural gas project signifies another milestone in our companies’ collective commitment to a sustainable energy future,” said Adam Comora, Co-CEO of OPAL Fuels. “OPAL Fuels’ decades of experience in renewable energy production underpins our continued focus on our growth strategy of converting biogas resources into operating renewable energy projects. Together with SJI and ACUA, we will help bring more renewable fuel supply online and advance the clean energy transition.”
Atlantic RNG, which is expected to be operational in mid-2025, represents the first collaboration between the companies as part of their previously announced 50/50 joint venture to develop, construct, own and operate RNG facilities.
“We are thrilled to host this groundbreaking energy project at our Environmental Park in Egg Harbor Township,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo. “Our vision to efficiently reuse the gas generated at the landfill to power trucks, homes and businesses is now a reality thanks to the leadership and innovation demonstrated by the teams at ACUA, SJI and OPAL Fuels.”
RNG or biomethane is produced from a variety of sustainable biomass sources. Once processed, it is interchangeable as a carbon-neutral substitute for traditional natural gas and can be fed through the existing South Jersey Gas natural gas infrastructure without disturbing the distribution network already in place.
A ceremony to celebrate the commencement of construction of the Atlantic RNG project is expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. A media advisory with details will be distributed closer to the event.
About SJI
South Jersey Industries (SJI), an energy infrastructure holding company based in Folsom, NJ, delivers energy services to customers through two primary subsidiaries: SJI Utilities (SJIU) and SJI Energy Enterprises (SJIEE). SJIU houses the company’s regulated natural gas utility operations, delivering safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to more than 725,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across New Jersey via its South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas subsidiaries. SJIEE houses the company’s non-utility operations primarily focused on clean energy development and decarbonization via renewable energy production and energy management activities. Visit www.sjindustries.com for more information about SJI and its subsidiaries.
About South Jersey Gas
South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, delivers safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and promotes energy efficiency to more than 400,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey. For more information, visit southjerseygas.com.
About OPAL Fuels Inc.
OPAL Fuels Inc. (Nasdaq: OPAL) is a leading vertically integrated producer and distributor of renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable electricity. RNG is a proven low-carbon energy source that is rapidly decarbonizing multiple sectors including the transportation and utility industries. OPAL Fuels delivers complete renewable solutions to customers and production partners. With a portfolio of 25 operating renewable energy projects and many more projects in construction and late-stage development, OPAL Fuels is positioned to advance the clean energy transition in support of renewable energy for transportation, utilities, EV charging infrastructure, and hydrogen fuel solutions. To learn more about OPAL Fuels and how it is leading the effort to capture North America’s harmful methane emissions and decarbonize the economy, please visit www.opalfuels.com.
About Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA)
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) operates a 360-acre Environmental Park in Egg Harbor Township that includes a landfill, transfer station, composting facility, and recycling center. The Authority oversees the recycling program for Atlantic County and currently provides waste and recycling collection services for 24 municipalities across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties. The ACUA is an environmental leader and has been recognized nationally for its efforts to incorporate sustainability and renewable energy in its operations. For more information, please visit www.acua.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and generally relate to future events or OPAL Fuels’ (the “Company’s”) future financial or other performance metrics. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “potentially,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “expect,” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and subject to material change. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include various factors beyond management’s control, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other filings it makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this communication, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Disclaimer
This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy, any securities, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer or securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
