November 10, 2021. OPAL Fuels LLC, a vertically integrated producer and distributor of renewable natural gas (RNG), celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony of its new Sunoma Renewable Natural Gas Facility at Paloma Dairy in Gila Bend, AZ. The new facility will produce 1.6 million gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) of renewable vehicle fuel annually for the heavy-duty trucking sector—enough fuel to move 10 million miles of freight. Additionally, the Sunoma Digester at Paloma Dairy:
- Dramatically reduces dangerous greenhouse gasses by limiting methane emissions from the dairy and carbon emissions from trucks – totaling to an annual emissions reduction of 54,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
- Flips a substantial cost – managing dairy waste – for the Paloma Dairy into a significant revenue stream.
- Employed 50 construction personnel and created four full-time positions.
During the event, speakers addressed how there does not need to be a trade-off between fighting the climate crisis and doing what is best for the economy and for business. Representatives for Arizona Sens. Sinema and Kelly stressed the need for an “all of the above” approach to combatting the climate crisis, citing the Sunoma Digester as a prime example.
The team is bringing to market an industry-leading anaerobic digestion project that will offer long-term sustainability benefits to the farm and local community. Montrose Environmental Group completed design and engineering for the project and provided construction oversight and equipment procurement. ISC led the construction of the system. The project is interconnected with Southwest Gas Company, which is purchasing the gas. Debt financing was provided by Live Oak Bank and development of the project was shared by Black Bear Environmental Assets and OPAL Fuels.