XML 29 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") and includes the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest: OPAL Renewable Power LLC (formerly Fortistar Methane 3 LLC (“FM3”) and Fortistar Methane 4 LLC), Beacon RNG LLC (“Beacon”) Sunoma Holdings, LLC (“Sunoma”), New River LLC (“New River”), Reynolds RNG LLC (“Reynolds”), Central Valley LLC (“Central Valley”), Prince William RNG LLC (“Prince William”), Cottonwood RNG LLC, Polk County RNG LLC (“Polk County”), OPAL Contracting LLC (formerly Fortistar Contracting LLC), OPAL RNG LLC (formerly Fortistar RNG LLC), and OPAL Fuel station services LLC (“Fuel Station Services”). The Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The non-controlling interest attributable to the Company's variable interest entities ("VIE") are presented as a separate component from the Stockholders' deficit in the consolidated balance sheets and as a non-redeemable non-controlling interests in the consolidated statements of changes in redeemable non-controlling interests, redeemable preferred non-controlling interests and Stockholders' (deficit) equity.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation including reclassification of the Company’s proportional share of income in equity investments into operating income. See Note 3. Investment in Other Entities for further discussion. The Company reclassified certain project development and start up costs as a separate line within Operating expenses, which were previously included in Cost of sales - RNG Fuel and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Please see the Project development and start up costs section within Note 2. Additionally, the Company also reclassified certain Accounts Payable to equity method investments from Accounts Payable to Accounts payable, related party. Please see Note 10. Related Parties for additional information.
Variable Interest Entities
Our policy is to consolidate all entities that we control by ownership of a majority of the outstanding voting stock. In addition, we consolidate entities that meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are the primary beneficiary. The Company applies the VIE model from ASC 810 when the Company has a variable interest in a legal entity not subject to a scope exception and the entity meets any of the five characteristics of a VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is considered to be the party that both possesses the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the rights to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. To the extent a VIE is not consolidated, the Company evaluates its interest for application of the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are included in the consolidated
balance sheets as “Investments in other entities.” Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has influence over the operating or financial decisions are accounted for under the equity method.
On May 30, 2023, the Company together with a third-party environmental solutions company formed Paragon RNG LLC ("Paragon"), a new joint venture holding company. The Company owns 50% of the ownership interest in Paragon. Concurrent to the formation of Paragon, the Company contributed its 50% ownership interests in Emerald and Sapphire to Paragon. Upon the execution of the above transaction, the Company reassessed its equity interests in Emerald RNG LLC ("Emerald") and Sapphire RNG LLC ("Sapphire") under ASC 810, Consolidation and determined that the Company did not have a controlling financial interest in Paragon under ASC 810 because the governance of Paragon is driven by a board jointly controlled equally by the joint venture partner and the Company and there are substantive participating rights held by the joint venture partner in the significant activities of Paragon. As a result of the reassessment, the Company deconsolidated these two entities effective May 30, 2023. Prior to May 30, 2023, the Company consolidated these two entities in accordance with the variable interest entity model guidance under ASC 810, Consolidation.
On September 14, 2023, OPAL Land2Gas LLC (“OPAL L2G”), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of OPAL Fuels Inc. (the “Company”), entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement (for purposes of this paragraph, the “Agreement”) with SJI Landfill RNG LLC (“SJI LRNG”), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (“SJI”), establishing the terms and conditions of governance and operation of Land2Gas LLC (the “ SJI Joint Venture”). The purpose of the Joint Venture, which is owned 50/50 by OPAL L2G and SJI LRNG, is to develop, construct, own and operate facilities (“Facilities”) to produce RNG using biogas generated by certain landfills. The Agreement governs the terms and conditions of capital contributions to be made by the SJI Joint Venture members to fund the development, construction and operations of the Facilities. The Agreement requires members of the SJI Joint Venture to contribute their respective share (50% each) of such capital requirements. The Agreement initially contemplates two RNG projects (RNG Atlantic and RNG Burlington) in New Jersey with each RNG project represented as a separate series of membership interests, also owned 50-50 by the members. Further, the Agreement provides for the SJI Joint Venture to enter into a Management Services Agreement (“MSA”), Operations and Maintenance Agreement (“O&M Agreement”), and dispensing agreement with certain wholly-owned, indirect subsidiaries of the Company. The MSA establishes the terms and conditions for the day-to-day administration of the projects, including responsibility for managing the development and overseeing the construction of the Facilities. The O&M Agreement establishes the terms and conditions for operating and maintaining the Facilities once construction is completed. The Dispensing Agreement provides for the acquisition, marketing and sale of the Environmental Attributes associated with RNG produced by the Facilities.
Upon the execution of the above transaction, the Company assessed its equity interests in the SJI Joint Venture under ASC 810, Consolidation and determined that the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in SJI Joint Venture under ASC 810 because the governance of the joint venture is driven by a board jointly controlled by the joint venture partner and OPAL equally and there are substantive participating rights held by the joint venture partner in the significant activities of SJI Joint Venture. As of December 31, 2023, the Company contributed $2,115 towards RNG Atlantic.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company accounted for its ownership interests in Pine Bend RNG LLC ("Pine Bend"), Noble Road RNG LLC ("Noble Road"), Emerald, Sapphire, Paragon, SJI Joint Venture (RNG Atlantic and RNG Burlington) and GREP BTB Holdings LLC ("GREP") under the equity method.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company accounted for its ownership interests in Pine Bend, Noble Road and GREP under the equity method. Please see Note 3. Investment in Other Entities, for additional information.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates and assumptions of the Company include the residual value of the useful lives of our property, plant and equipment, the fair value of stock-based compensation, asset retirement obligations, the estimated losses on our trade receivables, percentage completion for revenue recognition, incremental borrowing rate for calculating the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, the impairment assessment of goodwill, the fair value of deconsolidated VIEs and the fair value of derivative instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In June 2016, the Financial Standards Accounting Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses ("ASC 326"), with the objective of providing information about the credit risk inherent in an entity’s financial statements as well as to explain management’s estimate of expected credit losses and the changes in the allowance for such losses. The accounting standard amends the current financial instrument impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance, its estimate of lifetime expected credit losses, which will result in more timely recognition of such losses. The Company adopted the accounting standard using the modified retrospective transition approach as of January 1, 2023. There was no cumulative effect upon adoption to report to our consolidated financial statements.
The adoption of ASC 326 primarily impacted our trade receivables and the Note receivable - variable fee component recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. Upon adoption of ASC 326, the Company assessed collectability by reviewing accounts receivable on a collective basis where similar characteristics exist and on an individual basis when we identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considered historical collectability based on past due status and made judgments about the creditworthiness of customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. The Company also considered customer-specific information, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to inform adjustments to historical loss data. The carrying value of the Note receivable - variable fee component on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 is based on a discounted expected cash flows model which is adjusted on a quarterly basis. Therefore, the Company determined that the credit risk component is included in the carrying value at each reporting period. The adoption of ASC 326 did not have any material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In March 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842) (the "Update"). The Update requires the entities to classify and account for a leasing arrangement between entities under common control on the same basis as an arrangement with an unrelated party. The Update also requires that leasehold improvements associated with common control leases be amortized by the lessee over the useful life of the leasehold improvements to the common control group (regardless of the lease term) as long as the lessee controls the use of the underlying asset and accounts for the underlying asset as a transfer between entities under common control through an adjustment to equity if and when the lessee no longer controls the use of the underlying asset. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 including interim fiscal periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this Update on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-05, Business Combinations- Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60) ("ASU 2023-05"). The update requires all joint ventures formed after January 1, 2025, upon formation, to apply a new basis of accounting and initially measure its assets and liabilities at fair value. ASU 2023-05 is effective prospectively for joint ventures with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-05 on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements - Codification Amendments in response to SEC's Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative ("ASU 2023-06).The update requires certain additional disclosures including but not limited to accounting policy on relating to cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses in statement of cash flows, methods used in the diluted earnings per share computation for each dilutive security, disclosures related to assets mortgaged, pledged or otherwise subject to lien and collateralized obligations, disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit, unfunded commitments, weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings, preference of preferred stock in an involuntary liquidation if the liquidation preference is other than par or stated value and disclosure of amounts at risk with an individual counterparty if the amount exceeds 10% of stockholder's equity. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-06 on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) ("ASU 2023-07"). The update improves the reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring all entities to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), report other segment items ( segment revenue less the significant expenses disclosed and profit or loss) by reportable segment, title and
position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Additionally, ASU 2023-07 requires that if the CODM uses more than one measure of a segment's net income or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, the entity may report one or more of those additional measures. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-07 on its consolidated financial statements.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act provides emerging growth companies with certain exemptions from public company reporting requirements for up to five fiscal years while a company remains an emerging growth company. As part of these exemptions, we need only provide two fiscal years of audited financial statements instead of three, we have reduced disclosure obligations such as for executive compensation, and we are not required to comply with auditor attestation requirements from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding our internal control over financial reporting. Additionally, the JOBS Act has allowed us the option to delay adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$38,348 $40,394 
Restricted cash - current (1)
4,395 32,402 
Long-term assets:
Restricted cash held as collateral (2)
4,499 4,425 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$47,242 $77,221 
(1) Restricted cash - current as of December 31, 2023 primarily consists of debt reserve on Sunoma Loan. Restricted cash - current as of December 31, 2022 consists of (i) $16,849 held in escrow to secure the Company's purchase obligations under the forward purchase agreement with Meteora (ii) $5,845 equity contribution to a joint venture in connection with the closing of OPAL Term Loan II (iii) $1,127 relates to interest reserve on Sunoma Loan and (iv) $8,581 held in a restricted account for funding one of our RNG projects.
(2) Restricted cash held as collateral represents the collateral requirements on our debt facilities.
Short term investments
The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than three months at the time of purchase to be short term investments. The short term investments of $9,875 consists of cash invested in money market accounts with maturities ranging between 1 and 12 months as of December 31, 2023. The amounts in these money market accounts are liquid and available for general use.
Our short term investments are generally invested in commercial paper issued by highly credit worthy counter parties and government backed treasury bills. Investments are generally not FDIC insured and we take counter party risk on these investments.
Earnout Awards
In connection with the Business Combination completed in July 2022 and pursuant to a sponsor letter agreement, the Sponsor agreed to subject 10% of its Class A common stock (received as a result of the conversion of its ArcLight Class B
ordinary shares immediately prior to the closing) to vesting and forfeiture conditions relating to VWAP targets for the Company's Class A common stock sustained over a period of 60 months following the closing. OPAL Fuels equity holders are eligible to receive an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Class B and Class D common stock upon the Company achieving each earn-out event during the earn-out period. The earnout awards (the "Earnout Awards") were recognized at fair value on the closing date and classified as a liability which is remeasured at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company's consolidated statement of operations as part of change in fair value of derivative instruments, net. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a total gain of $6,890 from the Sponsor and OPAL earn-out awards in its consolidated statement of operations.
Put option on forward purchase agreement
Prior to the closing of the Business Combination, the Company entered into a Forward Purchase Agreement with Meteora pursuant to which Meteora agreed to purchase 2,000,000 shares of Class A common stock from shareholders who had previously tendered such shares for redemption but agreed to reverse their redemption and sell such shares to Meteora at the redemption price. The Company placed $20,040 in escrow at the closing of the Business Combination to secure its purchase obligation to repurchase these 2,000,000 shares at Meteora’s option for a price of $10.02 per share on the date that is six months after closing of the Business Combination. The put option written to Meteora on 2,000,000 shares of Class A common stock is recorded as a liability under Topic 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity with the change in the fair market value recognized in the statement of operations as part of change in fair value of derivative instruments, net.
On January 23, 2023, pursuant to the terms of the Forward Purchase Agreement, Meteora exercised its option to sell back 1,635,783 shares to the Company. $16,391 of the funds held in escrow which were previously recorded as part of Restricted Cash - current on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 were released to Meteora (excluding accrued interest). In connection with the above, the Sponsor forfeited 197,258 shares of Class A common stock on January 26, 2023 pursuant to the terms of that certain Letter Agreement dated July 21, 2022. The Company treated the repurchased shares as treasury shares and recorded $11,614 representing the fair value of those shares at the closing share price of $7.01 as an adjustment to Stockholders' deficit. Additionally, the Company recorded $4,777 as an offset to the Derivative financial liability - current in its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023.
Redeemable non-controlling interests
Redeemable non-controlling interests represent the portion of OPAL Fuels that the Company controls and consolidates but does not own. The Redeemable non-controlling interest was created as a result of the Business Combination and represents 144,399,037 Class B Units issued by OPAL Fuels to the prior investors. The Company allocates net income or loss attributable to Redeemable non-controlling interest based on weighted average ownership interest during the period. The net income or loss attributable to Redeemable non-controlling interests is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.
At each balance sheet date, the mezzanine equity classified Redeemable non-controlling interests is adjusted up to their maximum redemption value if necessary, with an offset in Stockholders' equity. As of December 31, 2023, the maximum redemption value was $802,720.
Stock-based compensation
The Company issues stock-based compensation utilizing stock options, performance units and restricted stock units. In accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation, ("ASC 718"), stock-based compensation is measured at the fair value of the award at the date of grant and recognized over the period of vesting on a straight-line basis using the graded vesting method. The grant-date fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expense for stock-based compensation awards that include performance conditions are initially calculated and subsequently remeasured based on the outcome deemed probable of occurring, and recognized over the vesting period, with the ultimate amount of expense recognized based on the actual performance outcome. Please see Note 16. Stock-based Compensation, for additional information. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.
Project development and start up costs
The Company has multiple RNG projects under construction for which the Company incurs certain development costs such as legal, consulting fees for joint venture structuring, royalties to the landfill owner, fines, settlements, site lease expenses and certification costs. Additionally, the Company also incurs certain expenses on new RNG projects that started operating for the first two years such as virtual pipeline costs (trucking costs incurred until a physical pipeline is connected) and ramp up costs. These costs are temporary and non-recurring over the project lifetime. Historically, the Company included these expenses in Cost of sales - RNG Fuel and Selling, general and administrative expenses with no associated revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company is presenting these expenses in a separate line within operating expenses to provide additional information to the readers of the financial statements regarding the ongoing profitability of our RNG projects in operation.
The following table provides information on the types of expenses classified under this expense category:
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 20232022
Site lease expenses$1,021 $1,000 
Legal and professional fees1,141 124 
Royalties833 1,444 
Virtual pipeline costs (1)
1,295 3,200 
Management services (2)
237 109 
Other339 561 
Total Project development and startup costs (3)
$4,866 6,438 
(1) Virtual pipeline costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 relate to New River and Prince William. For the year ended December 31, 2022, they relate to New River which came online in May 2022.
(2) Relates to charges billed to the individual projects by Fortistar. See Note. 10 Related parties for additional information.
(3) Excludes 1,454 of expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 incurred on our equity method investment entities which are not consolidated.
Net income per share
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization as OPAL Fuels was determined to be the accounting acquirer under FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the transaction is treated as the equivalent of OPAL Fuels issuing stock for the net assets of ArcLight, accompanied by a recapitalization.
The Company's basic earnings per share of Class A common stock is computed based on the average number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock for the period.
The Company's diluted earnings per share includes effects of the Company's outstanding Redeemable non-controlling interests (OPAL Fuels Class B units), Restricted Stock Units, the put option a forward purchase agreement, redeemable preferred non-controlling interests, Sponsor Earnout Awards and OPAL Earnout Awards.
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable represent amounts due from the sale of RNG, natural gas, gas transportation, construction contracts, service contracts, environmental attributes, electricity, capacity, and LFG. The accounts receivable are the net estimate realizable value between the invoiced accounts receivable and allowance for credit losses. Upon adoption of ASC 326, the Company assesses collectability by reviewing accounts receivable on a collective basis where similar characteristics exist and on an individual basis when we identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers historical collectability based
on past due status and made judgments about the creditworthiness of customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. The Company also considers customer-specific information, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to inform adjustments to historical loss data.
The Company's allowance for credit losses was $0 and $0 at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Fuel Tax Credit Receivable/Payable
At December 31, 2023, the Company accrued federal fuel tax credits of $0.50 per gasoline gallon equivalent of CNG that the Company sold as vehicle fuel in 2023. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, fuel tax credits receivable were $5,345 and $4,144, respectively. Under the terms of its fuel sales agreements with certain of its customers, the Company is obligated to share portions of these tax credits. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amounts of fuel tax credits owed to customers were $4,558 and $3,320, respectively. The Company recorded its portion of tax credits earned as a reduction to cost of sales — RNG fuel in the consolidated statements of operations.
Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company accounts for asset retirement obligations in accordance with FASB ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, which requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred and when a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligations is recorded as a long-term liability, with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related asset. The discounted asset retirement costs capitalized amount are accreted over the life of the sublease or site lease agreement. Asset retirement obligations are deemed Level 3 fair value measurements as the inputs used to measure the fair value are unobservable. The Company estimates the fair value of asset retirement obligations by calculating the estimated present value of the cost to retire the asset. This estimate requires assumptions and judgments regarding the existence of liabilities, the amount and timing of cash outflows required to settle the liability, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, and consideration of changes in legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. In addition, the Company determines the Level 3 fair value measurements based on historical information and current market conditions.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company estimated the value of its total asset retirement obligations to be $6,728 and $6,256, respectively.
The changes in the asset retirement obligations were as follows as of December 31, 2023:
December 31,
2023
Balance, December 31, 2022$6,256 
Payment of Asset retirement obligations during the year(49)
Accretion expense521 
Total asset retirement obligation6,728 
Less: current portion(3,860)
Total asset retirement obligation, net of current portion$2,868 
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenue arrangements generally consist of a single performance obligation to transfer goods or services. Revenue from the sale of RNG, CNG and, electricity is recognized by applying the “right to invoice” practical expedient within the accounting guidance for Revenue from Contracts with Customers that allows for the recognition of revenue from performance obligations in the amount of consideration to which there is a right to invoice the customer and when the amount for which there is a right to invoice corresponds directly to the value transferred to the customer. For some public CNG Fueling Stations where there is no contract with the customer, the Company recognizes revenue at the point in time that the customer takes control of the fuel.
The Company also performs maintenance services throughout the country. Maintenance consists of monitoring equipment and replacing parts as necessary to ensure optimum performance. Revenue from service agreements is
recognized over time as services are provided. Capacity payments fluctuate based on peak times of the year and revenues from capacity payments are recognized monthly as earned.
The Company has agreements with two natural gas producers ("Producers") to transport Producers' natural gas using the Company's RNG gathering system. The performance obligation is the delivery of Producers' natural gas to an agreed delivery point on an interstate gas pipeline. The quantity of natural gas transported for the Producers is measured at a certain specified meter. The price is fixed at contracted rates and the Producers pay approximately 30 days after month-end. As such, transportation sales are recognized over time, using the output method to measure progress.
The Company provides credit monetization services to customers that own renewable gas generation facilities. The Company recognizes revenue from these services as the credits are minted on behalf of the customer. The Company receives non-cash consideration in the form of RINs or LCFSs for providing these services and recognizes the RINs or LCFSs received as Environmental credits held for sale within current assets based on their estimated fair value at contract inception. When the Company receives RINs or LCFSs as payment for providing credit monetization services, it records the non-cash consideration in inventory based on the fair value of RINs or LCFSs at contract commencement.
On November 29, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NextEra, a related party, for the environmental attributes generated by the RNG Fuels business. Under this agreement, the Company is committed to sell a minimum of 90% of the environmental attributes generated and will receive net proceeds based on the agreed upon price less a specified discount. A specified volume of environmental attributes sold per quarter will incur a discount fee per environmental attribute in addition to the specified discount. The agreement was effective beginning January 1, 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company earned net revenues after discount and fees of $56,069 and $58,185, respectively, under this contract which was recorded as part of Revenues - RNG Fuel. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company earned net revenues after discount and fees of $28,468 and $18,735, respectively, which was recorded as part of Revenues - Fuel Station Services.
During third and fourth quarter of 2022, two of the wholly-owned subsidiaries from our Renewable Power portfolio entered into a purchase and sale agreement with an environmental attribute marketing firm to sell environmental attributes associated with renewable biomethane ("ISCC Carbon Credits") and purchase brown gas back at contracted fixed prices per million British thermal units ("MMbtu"). One of these contracts has a term of 3-years from the date of certification of the facility with an auto-renewal option. The other contract was terminated in August 2023. During the third quarter of 2023, three additional Renewable Power facilities entered into purchase and sale agreements with 3 year terms and similar terms and conditions as the previous contracts. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company earned net revenues of $16,325 and $3,114, respectively under this contract which were recorded as part of Revenues - Renewable Power in the consolidated statement of operations.
Sales of Environmental Attributes such as RINs, renewable energy credits ("RECs"), ISCC Carbon Credits and LCFS are generally recorded as revenue when the certificates related to them are delivered to a buyer. However, the Company may recognize revenue from the sale of such Environmental Attributes at the time of the related renewable power sales when the contract provides that title to the Environmental Attributes transfers at the time of production, the Company's price to the buyer is fixed, and collection of the sales proceeds is certain.
Management operating fees are earned for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the gas collection system of a landfill site. Revenue is calculated on the volume of per million British thermal units of LFG collected and the megawatt hours ("MWhs") produced at that site. This revenue is recognized when LFG is collected and renewable power is delivered.
The Company has various fixed price contracts for the construction of Fueling Stations for customers. Revenues from these contracts, including change orders, are recognized over time, with progress measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date compared to estimated total costs for each contract. This method is used as management considers costs incurred to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. Costs capitalized to fulfill certain contracts were not material in any of the periods presented.
The Company owns Fueling Stations for use by customers under fuel sale agreements. The Company bills these customers at an agreed upon price for each gallon sold and recognizes revenue based on the amounts invoiced in accordance with the "right to invoice" practical expedient. For some public stations where there is no contract with the customer, the Company recognizes revenue at the point-in-time that the customer takes control of the fuel.
The Company from time-to-time enters into fuel purchase agreements with customers whereby the Company is contracted to design and build a Fueling Station on the customer's property in exchange for the Company providing CNG/RNG to the customer for a determined number of years. In accordance with the standards of ASC 840, Leases, the Company has concluded these agreements meet the criteria for a lease and are classified as operating leases. Typically, these agreements do not require any minimum consumption amounts and, therefore, no minimum payments. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company adopted the practical expedient not to reassess the classification. For additional information on lease revenues earned, please see Note 8. Leases.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table shows the disaggregation of revenue according to product line:
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 20232022
Renewable power sales$33,648 $33,881 
Third party construction49,318 49,458 
Service16,711 16,449 
Brown gas sales19,587 38,356 
Environmental credits (1)
126,573 86,901 
Parts sales4,680 4,391 
Operating agreements— 893 
Other632 328 
Total revenue from contracts with customers251,149 230,657 
Lease revenue (2)
4,959 4,874 
Total revenue$256,108 $235,531 
(1) Includes revenues of $16,325 and $3,114 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, from customers domiciled outside of United States.
(2) Lease revenue relates to approximately twenty-two fuel purchasing agreements our of which we have two of our RNG fuel stations with minimum take or pay provisions and revenue from power purchase agreements at two of our Renewable Power facilities where we determined that we transferred the right to control the use of the power plant to the purchaser.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 19% and 21%, respectively of revenue was recognized over time, and the remainder was for products and services transferred at a point in time.
Other income
The following table shows the items consisting of items recorded as Other income:
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 20232022
Gain on deconsolidation of VIEs (1)
$122,873 $— 
Gain on redemption of Note receivable— 1,943 
Gain on transfer of non-financial asset in exchange for services received (2)
1,599 — 
Other income$124,472 $1,943 
(1) Represents non-cash gain on deconsolidation of Emerald and Sapphire on May 30, 2023.
(2) Represents the fair value of RINs transferred as consideration for services received.
Contract Assets
Contract assets consist primarily of costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings and retainage receivables. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings represent unbilled amounts earned and reimbursable under construction contracts and arise when revenues have been recognized but amounts are conditional and have yet to be billed under the terms of the contract. Included in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings are amounts the Company will collect from customers, changes in contract specifications or design, costs associated with contract change orders in dispute or unapproved as to scope or price, or other customer-related causes of unanticipated contract costs. Amounts become billable according to contract terms, which consider the progress on the contracts as well as achievement of certain milestones and completion of specified units of work. Except for claims, such amounts will be billed over the remaining life of the contract.
Contract Liabilities
Contract liabilities consist of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings, other deferred construction revenue and general provisions for losses, if any. Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings represent cash collected from customers and billings to customers in advance of work performed. Such unearned project-related costs will be incurred over the remaining life of the contract.
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers:
 December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Accounts receivable, net$27,623 $31,083 
Contract assets:
Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings$4,630 $7,027 
Accounts receivable retainage, net2,160 2,744 
Contract assets total$6,790 $9,771 
Contract liabilities:
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings$6,314 $8,013 
Contract liabilities total$6,314 $8,013 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $8,013 that was included in "Contract liabilities" at December 31, 2022. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized revenue of $9,785 that was included in "Contract liabilities" at December 31, 2021.
Parts Inventory

    Parts inventory, also referred to as supplies inventory, consists of shop spare parts inventory and construction site parts inventory. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The substantial amount of inventory is identified, tracked and treated as finished goods. An annual review of inventory is performed to identify obsolete items. The Company’s inventory reserves were $20 and $3 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Cost is determined using the average cost method.

Capital Spares

Capital spares consist primarily of large replacement parts and components for the RNG facilities and power plants. These parts, which are vital to the continued operation of the RNG facilities and power plants and require a substantial lead time to acquire, are maintained on hand for emergency replacement. Capital spares are recorded at cost and
expensed when placed into service as part of a routine maintenance project or capitalized when part of a plant improvement project.
Property, Plant, and Equipment, net

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost, except for the portion related to asset retirement obligations, which are recorded at estimated fair value at the time of inception. Direct costs related to the construction of assets and renewals and betterments that materially improve or extend the life of the assets are capitalized. Additionally, any interest expense incurred on any outstanding construction loans such as interest on our Sunoma loan is capitalized to the specific project. Replacements, maintenance, and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Plant and equipment
5 - 30 years
CNG/RNG fueling stations
10-20 years
Construction in progressN/A
Buildings
40 years
LandN/A
Service equipment
5-10 years
Leasehold improvementsshorter of lease term or useful life
Vehicles
7 years
Office furniture and equipment
5-7 years
Computer software
3 years
Land lease - finance leaseLease term
Vehicles - finance leaseshorter of lease term or useful life
Other
7 years

When plant and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation or amortization is removed, and a gain or loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalizes costs related to the development and construction of new projects when there is a significant likelihood that the project will be constructed for its intended use. This is determined based on the attainment of certain milestones, including, but not limited to, the receipt of permits; final negotiation of major contracts including gas rights agreements, gas transportation and engineering, procurement and construction contracts. Costs incurred prior to this time are expensed. Additionally, the Company capitalizes any interest incurred on its generic borrowings during the construction phase until the project becomes operational.

Deferred financing costs

Fees incurred for obtaining new loans or debt restructuring are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt using effective interest method. Unamortized financing costs are written off when the related debt is extinguished. Deferred financing costs (or debt issuance costs) are reported as a reduction of the carrying value of the long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
Environmental credits held for sale
The Company provides credit monetization services to customers that own renewable gas generation facilities. The Company recognizes revenue from these services as the credits are minted on behalf of the customer. The Company receives non-cash consideration in the form of RINs or LCFSs for providing these services and recognizes the environmental credits received as part of Revenues - Fuel Station Services and Environmental credits held for sale within current assets based on their estimated fair value at contract inception. It is recorded at historical fair value at contract inception and adjusted to its net realizable value at each balance sheet date. Due to the historically higher LCFS pricing, the
fair value at contract inception may be significantly higher than the net realizable value of the environmental credits generated. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $7,354 and $3,523 and as part of Cost of sales - Fuel Station Services.
Fuel Station Services Construction Backlog
The Company's remaining performance obligations ("backlog") represent the unrecognized revenue value of its contract commitments. The Company's backlog may significantly vary each reporting period based on the timing of major new contract commitments. At December 31, 2023, the Company had a backlog of $37,531 of which $29,450 is anticipated to be recognized as revenue in the next 12-months.
Major Maintenance

Major maintenance is a component of maintenance expense and encompasses overhauls of internal combustion engines, gas compressors and electrical generators. Major maintenance is expensed as incurred. Major maintenance expense was $7,240 and $4,701 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively, and is included in cost of sales — renewable power in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price of an acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination subject to ASC 805, Business Combinations. Goodwill is not amortized, but the potential impairment of goodwill is assessed at least annually and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be fully recoverable. Accounting rules require that the Company test at least annually, or more frequently when a triggering event occurs that indicates that the fair value of the reporting unit may be below its carrying amount, for possible goodwill impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350-10. The Company performs its annual test in fourth quarter of each year.

During 2020, the Company has adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under this guidance, the Company performed qualitative test for goodwill on Beacon and Trustar for the year ended December 31, 2023. As a result of these tests, the Company determined that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and, thus, the Company determined that goodwill was not impaired.

Intangible Assets and Liabilities

Identifiable intangible assets consist of three PPAs, one fueling station contract, one transmission/distribution interconnection, and the cost of intellectual property all of which are amortized using the straight-line method over the underlying applicable contract periods or useful lives which range from five to twenty years.

The PPA intangible liabilities are amortized using the straight-line method over their contract life. Amortization related to these intangible liabilities is included in RNG fuel revenue and Renewable power revenue, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

    Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount that the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. Assets disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less selling costs. There was no material impairment expense booked for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Fair value is generally determined by considering (i) internally developed discounted cash flows for the asset group, and/or (ii) information available regarding the current market value for such assets. We use our best estimates in
making these evaluations and consider various factors, including future pricing and operating costs. However, actual future market prices and project costs could vary from the assumptions used in our estimates and the impact of such variations could be material.

Derivative Instruments

    The Company estimates the fair value of its derivative instruments using available market information in accordance with ASC 820 for fair value measurements and disclosures of derivatives. Derivative instruments are measured at their fair value and recorded as either assets or liabilities unless they qualify for an exemption from derivative accounting measurement such as normal purchases and normal sales. All changes in the fair value of recognized derivatives are recognized currently in earnings.

The Company enters into electricity forward sale agreements. Some of these electricity forward sale agreements meet the definition of a derivative but qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception from derivative accounting treatment. In accordance with authoritative guidance for derivatives, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors when determining whether a contract qualifies for the normal purchases and normal sales exception. There are two electricity forward sales agreements during 2022 that were recorded under the normal purchases and normal sales exception and, therefore, fair value adjustments were not required for the year ended December 31, 2023. Additionally, there were two electricity forward purchase agreements during 2023 that were recorded under the normal purchases and normal sales exception, and therefore, fair value adjustments were not required for the year ended December 31, 2023. Please see Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements for additional information.

The Company enters into commodity swap arrangements as economic hedges against market price volatility of Renewable power sales. These commodity swap agreements do not qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception and therefore are accounted for as derivatives under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company does not designate its derivative instruments to qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, these commodity swap agreements are measured at their fair value and recorded as either current or non-current assets or liabilities and any changes in fair value are recorded as part of Revenues in its consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company maintains a risk management strategy that incorporates the use of interest rate swaps to minimize significant fluctuation in cash flows and/or earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Company designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges applies hedge accounting. The Company records the fair value of the interest rate swap as an asset or liability on its consolidated balance sheet. The effective portion of the swap is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, short term investments, derivative instruments and trade accounts receivable. The Company holds cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at several major financial institutions, much of which exceeds FDIC insured limits. Historically, the Company has not experienced any losses due to such concentration of credit risk. The Company’s temporary cash investments policy is to limit the dollar amount of investments with any one financial institution and monitor the credit ratings of those institutions. While the Company may be exposed to credit losses due to the nonperformance of the holders of its deposits, the Company does not expect the settlement of these transactions to have a material effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Income Taxes
As a result of the Business Combination, the Company is the sole managing member of OPAL Fuels. OPAL Fuels is a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for most applicable state and local income taxes. Any taxable income or loss generated by OPAL Fuels is passed through to and included in the taxable income or loss of its members, including the Company, on a pro-rata basis, subject to applicable tax regulations.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”), which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of its assets and liabilities by applying the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the
differences are expected to reverse. Such net tax effects on temporary differences are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when the Company believes that it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company calculates the interim tax provision in accordance with the provisions of ASC Subtopic 740-270, Income Taxes; Interim Reporting. For interim periods, the Company estimates the annual effective income tax rate and applies the estimated rate to the year-to-date income or loss before income taxes.
Significant Customers, Vendors and Concentration of Credit Risk
For the year ended December 31, 2023 two customer accounted for 47% of revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 49% of revenue. At December 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 54% of accounts receivable. At December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 45%, of accounts receivable.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, and trade receivables. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions located in the United States of America. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers.
As of December 31, 2023 one vendor accounted for 32% of the accounts payable. As of December 31, 2022, one vendor accounted for 19% of the accounts payable.
Investment in other entities
Investment in other entities includes the Company’s interests in certain investees which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the Company has determined that the investment provides the Company with the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. The Company’s investments in these nonconsolidated entities are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at cost. The amounts initially recognized are subsequently adjusted for the impacts of impairment, capitalized interest and Company’s share of earnings (losses) which are recognized as income (loss) from equity method investments in the consolidated statement of operations after adjustment for the effects of any basis differences. Investments are also increased for contributions made to the investee and decreased by distributions from the investee and classified in the statement of cash flows using the cumulative earnings approach.

The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a decline in value has occurred that is other than temporary. Evidence considered in this evaluation includes, but would not necessarily be limited to, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, recent operating trends and forecasted performance of the investee, market conditions in the geographic area or industry in which the investee operates and the Company’s strategic plans for holding the investment in relation to the period of time expected for an anticipated recovery of its carrying value. If the investment is determined to have a decline in value deemed to be other than temporary, it is written down to estimated fair value in the same period the impairment was identified. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not identify any impairments on its investments in other entities.