ACUA joins partners South Jersey Industries and OPAL Fuels in the Atlantic RNG Project, which is the first of its kind at a public landfill in New Jersey and the first project to deliver RNG into the pipeline system of South Jersey Gas. RNG contributes to a cleaner environment by preventing methane emissions and displacing diesel fuel.
HOW IT WORKS
As organic materials break down in the landfill, gases like carbon dioxide and methane are created. These gases are captured by an extensive gas well collection system. The gas is then cleaned to remove carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide and other impurities.
Once clean, RNG is interchangeable as a carbon-neutral substitute for traditional natural gas and is injected into the existing South Jersey Gas natural gas infrastructure.
RNG can be used to fuel area homes, businesses, and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fueling stations, such as the one that powers ACUA’s fleet of collection vehicles.
The RNG facility is anticipated to have a nameplate capacity of 2,500 SCFM of landfill gas and is expected to produce more than 650,000 MMBtu, which is equivalent to nearly 4.6 million gallons of gas per year of RNG.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The RNG produced at the ACUA’s solid waste landfill is expected to reduce methane emissions from the landfill and avoid over 346,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.
When used as a fuel, RNG can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions as compared to diesel. RNG can help fuel ACUA’s fleet of collection vehicles that service our community.
RNG is locally sourced and plentiful. Landfills are continually producing gas as waste breaks down. Even after active landfills close, gases continue to be produced and emitted for years. This project ensures those gases are repurposed.
RNG can also be created from alternative waste management technologies, such as digestion or gasification.
Construction on the project began in October 2023, and the site began operations in October 2025.
ACUA previously captured landfill gas and turned it into energy onsite which powered the entire Environmental Park with excess energy provided to the grid where it can be used to power area homes and businesses. The project saved ratepayers more than $9.3 million while in operation and prevented more than 26,628 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.