South Jersey Industries (SJI), an energy infrastructure holding company, and OPAL Fuels, which produces, markets, and distributes renewable and compressed natural gas, cut the ribbon on their Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s (ACUA) Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Project in Egg Harbor Township on Oct. 23.

The RNG facility will capture and process landfill gas into RNG, providing a renewable, lower-carbon fuel alternative to diesel and conventional natural gas. The companies say the project will be the first to deliver RNG into the pipeline system of South Jersey Gas, a subsidiary of SJI. The event was attended by local and state elected officials, and company leadership.

“This project underscores our commitment to innovation and continuing efforts in renewable energy solutions,” said Chet Benham, president, SJI Renewable Energy Ventures.

The RNG produced at the ACUA plant is planned to be used as transportation fuel and injected into the South Jersey Gas pipelines, offering RNG for the first time to supply energy to homes and businesses in the South Jersey Gas territory. SJIU provides natural gas to more than 735,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers via its South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas subsidiaries.

The facility is anticipated to have a nameplate capacity of 2,500 SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) of landfill gas and is expected to produce more than 650,000 MMBtu (million British thermal units), which is equivalent to nearly 4.6 million gallons of gas, per year of RNG.

“ACUA has consistently demonstrated its commitment to exploring and implementing technologies that transform waste into a resource and improve our environment,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo. “This project embodies that commitment, and we’re happy to celebrate its opening alongside our wonderful partners OPAL and SJI.”

Once operational, the RNG produced at the ACUA’s solid waste landfill is also expected to reduce methane emissions from the landfill and avoid over 346,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

“The opening of this facility marks an important milestone in OPAL Fuels’ mission of turning waste into clean, domestic energy,” said Adam Comora, co-chief executive officer of OPAL Fuels. “This project reduces emissions, improves local air quality, creates jobs, and strengthens American energy independence. As we drive forward with a focus on strategic growth and operational excellence, this project serves as an example of how landfills can benefit from producing RNG by generating financial value, cutting methane emissions, and displacing diesel to decarbonize transportation.”

The process is expected to reduce the volume of methane gas combusted at the facility, resulting in a reduction in on-site emissions. 

The RNG project represents the first collaboration between SJI and OPAL Fuels as part of their previously announced 50/50 joint venture to develop, construct, own and operate RNG facilities.