Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
ACUA updates commissioners on landfill RNG project, investments and proposed 2% rate increases
Loading...
Summary
Atlantic County Utilities Authority President Matt D'Onofo updated the board on landfill gas collection improvements, a landfill-to-pipeline RNG project producing roughly $1.5–$1.6 million in annual revenue, litigation-related costs, and proposed 2% rate increases for solid waste and wastewater to cover rising administrative and electricity costs.
Matt D'Onofo, president of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, briefed commissioners on the authority’s recent work to improve landfill gas collection, operational upgrades and the budget outlook.
D'Onofo said the authority permanently capped about 16 acres of landfill and is adding approximately 10 wells this year (bringing an installed total near 135 wells) to improve gas capture. He described an RNG (renewable natural gas) project that cleans landfill gas and injects it to pipeline partners; ACUA’s revenue from that project is estimated at about $1.5–$1.6 million annually and helps keep county rates among the state's lowest.
On the budget, D'Onofo reported proposed rate increases of about 2% for both solid waste and wastewater operations. He attributed upward pressure to administrative support costs (including legal/litigation costs tied to a lawsuit that has cost roughly $1.7 million so far and for which $1.5 million is budgeted next year) and electricity cost increases driven partly by the upcoming end of a long-term fixed-rate wind farm contract.
Commissioners asked whether other landfills will join litigation and pressed for clarity on cost-sharing and long-term impacts. D'Onofo said discovery and depositions are complete and that broader engagement with industry groups (Landfill Alliance, SWANA, AEA) is part of the plan. He answered questions about sludge disposal revenue and wastewater rate history, explaining how service agreements with other counties help offset costs.
Provenance: ACUA briefing (topic intro SEG 095 to topic finish SEG 420).
