Clean Energy and Total Sign Joint Venture to Develop Carbon-Negative Fuel and Infrastructure

Rhea-AI Summary

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) announced a 50/50 joint venture with Total SE to develop carbon-negative renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities in the U.S. The venture's initial investment commitment is $100 million, potentially growing to $400 million. Total will also provide $45 million for RNG fueling infrastructure. Clean Energy is the largest RNG provider in the U.S., with ongoing demand growth highlighted by LA Metro's complete fleet conversion to RNG. This partnership aims to enhance RNG supply and tackle climate change.

Positive

• Joint venture with Total SE to invest up to $400 million in RNG projects.
• Clean Energy is the largest supplier of RNG in the U.S., increasing its market position.
• Growing demand for RNG demonstrated by LA Metro's fleet conversion.

Negative

• None.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) and its largest shareholder, Total SE, today announced a 50/50 joint venture to develop carbon-negative renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities in the United States, as well as credit support to build additional downstream RNG fueling infrastructure. The initial firm commitment is $100 million and can increase to $400 million as development opportunities progress. Since Clean Energy and Total will be providing the equity portion of the investments, the actual amount of capital invested in RNG projects may be higher than $400 million depending on the amount of leverage that is deployed. In addition, Total will be providing credit support for Clean Energy development in the RNG value chain, including $45 million for contracted RNG fueling infrastructure.

Carbon-negative RNG is produced when carbon emissions are captured from dairies and turned into a transportation fuel, reducing the harmful effects of long-term climate change. As a result, the California Air Resources Board gives these carbon-negative RNG projects a weighted average carbon intensity (“CI”) Score (gCO2e/MJ) of -317 compared to 100 for diesel and 19 for electric batteries. Clean Energy is the largest provider of RNG as a transportation fuel in the United States, and the largest RNG fuel provider under the California LCFS program. RNG can be used directly as a vehicle fuel or can be used as a feedstock to produce “green” hydrogen or “green” electricity and still generate LCFS environmental credits.

The companies have already partnered to expand the use of RNG in the heavy-duty truck market with the Zero Now program, which allows fleets to purchase RNG trucks for the same price as diesel trucks. The demand for carbon-negative RNG has rapidly accelerated through the Zero Now program with trucking companies such as Kenan Advantage, KeHE Distributors, Estes Express Lines, Tradelink Transport, among many others, taking advantage of the economic savings while powering their new fleets with the cleanest fuel in the world.

“The finalization of this JV with Total, which was originally announced in December of last year, demonstrates the commitment both companies have to the growth of RNG, a fuel that can tackle serious climate issues today,” said Andrew J. Littlefair, CEO and president of Clean Energy. “The demand by customers for RNG continues to accelerate, highlighted by our recent announcement that the largest bus fleet in the U.S., LA Metro, had converted their entire fleet to RNG. This JV will help Clean Energy to continue to increase its supply of RNG in the years ahead.”

About Clean Energy

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is the leading provider of the cleanest fuel for the transportation market in the United States. Through its sales of RNG, which is derived from capturing biogenic methane produced from decomposing organic waste, Clean Energy allows thousands of vehicle fleets, from airport shuttles to city buses to waste and heavy-duty trucks, to reduce their amount of climate-harming greenhouse gas from 60% to over 400% according to the California Air Resources Board, depending on the source of the RNG. Clean Energy can deliver RNG through compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) to its network of approximately 540 fueling stations across the U.S. and Canada. Clean Energy builds and operates CNG and LNG fueling stations for the transportation market, owns liquefication facilities in California and Texas, and transports bulk CNG and LNG to non-transportation customers around the U.S. For more information, visit www.CleanEnergyFuels.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding, among other things: the amount of capital that may be invested in RNG projects by the JV; Clean Energy’s plans for its RNG business; increased market adoption of carbon-negative RNG as a vehicle fuel; growth in Clean Energy’s customer base for its RNG vehicle fuel; the strength of Clean Energy’s vehicle fueling infrastructure and its ability to leverage this infrastructure to increase sales of RNG vehicle fuel and to deliver 100% RNG to its entire fueling infrastructure by 2025; the benefits of RNG as an alternative vehicle fuel, including economic and environmental benefits; and growth in and certainty of supply of RNG. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including, among others: Clean Energy’s and Total’s ability to invest in RNG projects through the JV; supply, demand, use and prices of crude oil, gasoline, diesel, natural gas and alternative fuels, as well as heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles powered by these fuels; the willingness of fleets and other consumers to adopt RNG as a vehicle fuel; and general economic, political, regulatory, market and other conditions. The forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and Clean Energy undertakes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by law. Additionally, the reports and other documents Clean Energy files with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov) contain additional information on these and other risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304005231/en/

FAQ

What is the joint venture between Clean Energy Fuels and Total SE about?

The joint venture focuses on developing carbon-negative renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities in the U.S.

How much is the initial investment for the Clean Energy and Total SE joint venture?

The initial commitment is $100 million, which could increase to $400 million.

What is the significance of RNG according to Clean Energy Fuels?

RNG helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is considered a climate-friendly transportation fuel.

What recent achievement did Clean Energy Fuels announce regarding LA Metro?

LA Metro has converted its entire bus fleet to renewable natural gas (RNG).

What role does Total SE play in the joint venture with Clean Energy Fuels?

Total SE is providing financial support and credit for RNG fueling infrastructure.