South Jersey Industries (SJI), an energy infrastructure holding company, and OPAL Fuels Inc. (Opal Fuels), a vertically integrated company in the business of the capture and conversion of biogas into low carbon intensity renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable electricity, announced that construction has commenced on an RNG production facility, with an annual design capacity of nearly 0.92 million MMBtus, at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex solid waste landfill in Florence Township, New Jersey. The project represents the second collaboration between the companies to develop, construct, own, and operate RNG facilities.
The project will capture methane produced naturally from the decomposition of organic material from the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex and transform it into RNG. Approximately 6.5 million gas gallons equivalent (GGE) of RNG can be produced annually from the design capacity of the plant. Opal Fuels will distribute the RNG via its fueling station network to heavy-duty trucks to help lower emissions from these vehicles while also reducing fuel costs for these fleets. Once fully operational and when used as a transportation fuel, the RNG produced at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex will reduce methane emissions from the landfill and avoid the use of fossil fuels and is expected to displace over 584,225 tons (530,000 tonnes) of carbon dioxide per year.
“We are proud to work with SJI to develop the Burlington RNG facility, encouraging renewable energy production in New Jersey and supporting the state’s transition to a low carbon economy,” said Jonathan Maurer, co-chief executive officer of Opal Fuels. “Burlington is the latest addition to our growing number of RNG projects, a portfolio of assets underpinned by a proven solution to bring value to our landfill partners and fight climate change both at the source of emissions and in the transportation sector.”
“SJI is proud to partner with Opal Fuels on the construction of the Burlington Renewable Natural Gas Facility,” said Mike Renna, President and CEO of SJI. “We are energized to continue our journey towards advancing a sustainable energy landscape in New Jersey.”