Construction Commences on South Jersey Industries, OPAL Fuels, and Atlantic County Utilities Authority Renewable Natural Gas Facility

Atlantic RNG will produce renewable low-carbon, low-cost fuel to displace diesel

Fuel to be injected into South Jersey Gas pipeline making this project the first of its kind in the gas company’s history

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.”

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“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.