OPAL Fuels Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 16, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Mar 16, 2026
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the conduct of our business, some of which may be material. Our businesses are also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us. We do not believe that the outcome of any of our current legal proceedings will have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Central Valley Project
In September 2021, an indirect subsidiary of the Company, MD Digester, LLC (“MD”), entered into a fixed-price Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract (an “EPC Contract”) with VEC Partners, Inc. d/b/a CEI Builders (“CEI”) for the design and construction of a turn-key renewable natural gas production facility using dairy cow manure as feedstock in California’s Central Valley. In December 2021, a second indirect subsidiary of the Company, VS Digester, LLC (“VS”) entered into a nearly identical EPC Contract (collectively, the "EPC Contracts") with CEI for the design and construction of a second facility, also in California’s Central Valley. CEI’s performance under both of the EPC Contracts is fully bonded by licensed sureties.
CEI has submitted a series of change order requests seeking to increase the EPC Contract Price by approximately $14 million, per project, primarily due to: (1) modifications to CEI’s design drawings which are required to meet its contracted performance guaranties, and (2) a default by one of CEI’s major equipment manufacturers. The Company disputes the vast majority of the change order requests.
In January 2024, the Company filed a civil lawsuit captioned, MD Digester, LLC. et. al. vs. VEC Partners, Inc. et. al.; with the California Superior Court, County of San Joaquin; Action No. STK- CV-UCC-2024-0000185 and commenced a related arbitration proceeding in order to obtain a formal determination on the claims; AAA Case No. 01-24-0000-0775. The Superior Court Action has been stayed, pending the conclusion of the arbitration. In the meantime, the AAA has empaneled three experienced arbitrators and has set the hearing date for the matter, currently scheduled in May 2026.
The EPC Agreement requires that CEI, continue working during the course of the litigation and related arbitration proceedings; however, CEI effectively stopped working. On June 26, 2024, MD issued a Notice of Default and Demand to Cure to CEI. CEI failed to do so, and on July 30, 2024, MD terminated CEI for default. MD notified CEI’s performance bond surety, Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company of the termination and demanded that it perform under the bond. Atlantic has denied the claim.
On July 11, 2024, VS issued a Notice of Default and Demand to Cure, advising CEI of its defaults and giving it an opportunity to cure. CEI failed to do so, and on August 27, 2024, VS terminated CEI for default. VS has notified CEI’s bond surety, also Atlantic, of the second termination and demanded that it perform under the performance bond. The surety has denied the claim.
As a result of CEI’s default and Atlantic’s denial of the claims, MD and VS have amended their claims in the AAA arbitration to include breach of contract claims against CEI and breach of performance bond claims against Atlantic (who was formally joined into the arbitration on November 20, 2024) in the AAA Arbitration with CEI.
CEI has since recorded mechanic’s liens against each of the projects for $4.9 million (MD) and $2 million (VS), and recently filed actions with the Stanislaus and San Joaquin County Superior Courts, respectively, to enforce their liens. It is expected that these claims will be stayed and consolidated with the pending arbitration proceeding.
In addition to the above-referenced action and arbitration, several of CEI’s subcontractors have recorded mechanic’s liens against the MD and VS projects, which the Company is obligated to defend and indemnify the dairy owners from and against. Several liens were untimely and have been released.
The Company believes its claims against CEI (and the surety where bond claims are denied) have substantial merit, and intends to prosecute the claims vigorously. However, due to the incipient stage of the litigation and related arbitration, the recency of the termination, and the ongoing status of the proceedings and discussions with the bond surety, as well as the uncertainties involved in all litigation and arbitration, the Company does not believe it is feasible at this time to assess the likely outcome of the litigation and related arbitration, the timing of its resolution, or its ultimate impact, if any, on the Central Valley projects or the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Former Development Partner/Construction Manager
In March 2024, the Company filed an action in the Orange County Superior Court (Case No. 30- 2024-01415510-CU-BC-CXC) against its former development partner and construction manager, Sierra Renewable Organics Management, LLC, as well as its principal (Ethan Werner) and affiliated engineering firm (CH Four Biogas) for Breach of Contract, Indemnity, Declaratory Relief, Intentional Misrepresentation and Negligent Misrepresentation relating to the design and development of the Projects. The defendants have recently filed an answer and certain cross claims, to which the Company has demurred. Discovery in the case is now underway.
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