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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K/A

(Amendment No. 2)

(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

2021

or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to

ARCHAEA ENERGY INC. (formerly known as Rice Acquisition Corp.)

________


_____________________________
Commission File Number:
001-39644
_____________________________
Archaea Energy Inc.
(Exact name of registrantRegistrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________________

Delaware

001-39644

Delaware85-2867266

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)No.)

4444 Westheimer Road, Suite G450

Houston, Texas

77027

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s

4444 Westheimer Road, Suite G450
Houston, Texas 77027
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(346) 708-8272
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (346) 708-8272

code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class:each classTrading Symbol:Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchangeeach exchange on Which Registered:which registered
Shares of Class A common stock,Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per shareLFGThe New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒


Indicate by check mark whether the registrantRegistrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes      No    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitionthe definitions of “large"large accelerated filer,” “accelerated" "accelerated filer, “smaller" "smaller reporting company”company," and “emerging"emerging growth company”company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes      No    

As

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2020,2021, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $433.8 million based on the registrant’s securities were not publicly traded. The registrant’s units began tradingclosing price on Thethat day on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on October 22, 2020 and the registrant’sExchange.

As of March 4, 2022, there were 65,247,198 shares of Class A common stock par value $0.0001 (the “Class A common stock”) and warrants began trading on the NYSE on December 14, 2020. The aggregate market value of the common stock outstanding, other than shares held by persons who may be deemed affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price for the shares of common stock on March 19, 2021, as reported on the NYSE, was $127,909,348 (based on the closing sales price of the Class A common stock on March 19, 2021 of $10.27).

As of March 19, 2021, 23,727,500 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001, and 5,931,35054,224,378 shares of Class B common stock par value $0.0001, were issued and outstanding.


Documents Incorporated by Reference: None.

By Reference

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Archaea Energy Inc., formerly known as Rice Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), is filingPortions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A (this “Amendment No. 2”) to amend and restate certain items in its Annual Report on Form 10-K relates, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Summary of Risk Factors
PART II
Item 9C.
PART III

PART IV
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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Commonly Used Terms and Definitions
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Archaea” and the “Company” refer to Archaea Energy Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, the following company or industry-specific terms and abbreviations are used throughout this report:

Archaea Borrower: Archaea Energy Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which was formerly named LFG Buyer Co, LLC
Archaea Merger: The transaction executed by the Archaea Merger Agreement
Archaea Merger Agreement: The Business Combination Agreement, dated April 7, 2021, as subsequently amended, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company acquired Legacy Archaea
Aria: Aria Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its subsidiaries
Aria Holders: The members of Aria immediately prior to the Closing
Aria Merger: The transaction executed by the Aria Merger Agreement
Aria Merger Agreement: The Business Combination Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2021, as subsequently amended, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company acquired Aria
Atlas: Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Btu: British thermal units
Business Combination Agreements: The Aria Merger Agreement and the Archaea Merger Agreement
Business Combinations: The transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreements
CARB: California Air Resource Board
CI: Carbon intensity
Class A Common Stock: Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company
Class A Opco Units: Class A Units of Opco
Class B Common Stock: Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company
Class B Opco Units: Class B Units of Opco
Closing: The closing of the Business Combinations on September 15, 2021
CNG: Compressed natural gas
Common Stock: Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock
Environmental Attributes: Federal, state and local government incentives in the United States, provided in the form of RINs, RECs, RTCs, LCFS credits, rebates, tax credits and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and manufacturers of renewable energy projects, that promote the use of renewable energy.
EPA: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EV: Equivalence Value, as assigned by the EPA based on renewable content of energy production
FERC: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Forward Purchase Warrants: The 250,000 warrants issued in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation of the Business Combinations on September 15, 2021
GAAP: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
GCES: Gulf Coast Environmental Services, LLC
GHG: Greenhouse gas
GSA: Gas Supply Agreement
Initial Public Offering: RAC’s initial public offering, which was consummated on October 26, 2020
ISO:Independent System Operator
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Legacy Archaea: Archaea Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its subsidiaries
Legacy Archaea Holders: The members of Legacy Archaea immediately prior to the Closing
LCFS: Low Carbon Fuel Standard
LFG: Landfill gas
LNG: Liquified natural gas
MBR: Market based rates
MMBtu: One million British thermal units
MW: Megawatt(s)
MWh: Megawatt hour(s)
NYSE: The New York Stock Exchange
Opco: LFG Acquisition Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which was formerly named Rice Acquisition Holdings LLC
PIPE Financing: The private placement of 29,166,667 shares of Class A Common Stock for gross proceeds to the Company of $300 million in connection with the Business Combinations
PPA:Power Purchase Agreement
Private Placement Warrants: The 6,771,000 warrants originally issued to Sponsor and Atlas in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation of the Initial Public Offering
Public Warrants: The 11,862,492 warrants originally sold as part of the units issued in the Initial Public Offering
QF: Qualifying facility,” as such term is defined in the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
RAC: Rice Acquisition Corp., prior to the consummation of the Business Combination
RAC Intermediate: LFG Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which was formerly named LFG Intermediate Co, LLC
RECs: Renewable Energy Credits
Redeemable Warrants: The Company's Public Warrants and Forward Purchase Warrants
RFS: Renewable Fuel Standard
RINs: Renewable Identification Numbers
RNG: Renewable natural gas
RPS: Renewable Portfolio Standards
RTO: Regional transmission organization
RTC: Renewable thermal certificate
SEC: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Sponsor: Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
VIE: Variable interest entity


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Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”), including, without limitation, statements under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “approximate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements may relate to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for the Company’s business. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements concerning market conditions and trends, earnings, performance, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the business of the Company. Forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, targets, opinions and/or beliefs of the Company, and such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.
The risks and uncertainties that could cause those actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements include, but are not limited to:
the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combinations and any transactions contemplated thereby, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its management and key employees;
the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors;
the Company’s ability to develop and operate new projects;
the reduction or elimination of government economic incentives to the renewable energy market;
delays in acquisition, financing, construction, and development of new projects;
the length of development cycles for new projects, including the design and construction processes for the Company’s projects;
the Company’s ability to identify suitable locations for new projects;
the Company’s dependence on landfill operators;
existing regulations and changes to regulations and policies that affect the Company’s operations;
decline in public acceptance and support of renewable energy development and projects;
demand for renewable energy not being sustained;
impacts of climate change, changing weather patterns and conditions, and natural disasters;
the ability to secure necessary governmental and regulatory approvals; and
the Company’s expansion into new business lines.
Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Summary Risk Factors
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” that represent challenges that we face in connection with the successful implementation of our strategy and the growth of our business. In particular, the following considerations, among others, may offset our competitive strengths or have a negative effect on our business strategy, which could cause a decline in the price of the Class A Common Stock and result in a loss of all or a portion of your investment:
Our commercial success depends on our ability to identify, acquire, develop and operate LFG projects, as well as our ability to expand production at our current production facilities.
In order to secure contracts for new projects, we typically face a long and variable development cycle that requires significant resource commitments and a long lead time before we realize revenues.
Our fixed-price contracts create the potential for operating losses in the event our variable costs rise unexpectedly.
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Although approximately 70% of our RNG volumes are expected to be contracted under long-term fixed-price off-take agreements, approximately 30% of our RNG volumes are expected to be contracted on a merchant pricing basis that exposes us to the risk of price fluctuations.
A prolonged environment of low prices or reduced demand for electricity or RNG could have a material adverse effect on our long-term business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We face competition both on the prices we receive for our electricity and RNG and for rights to manage or develop LFG projects.
Our renewable energy production facilities may not produce expected levels of output, and the amount of LFG actually produced at each of our production facilities will vary over time and, when a landfill closes, eventually decline.
Certain of our facilities are newly constructed or are under construction and may not perform as we expect.
We currently own, and in the future may acquire, certain assets through joint ventures. As operating partner for some of our joint venture projects, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk, and as non-operating partner for other joint venture projects, we have limited control over management decisions and our interests in such assets may be subject to transfer or other related restrictions.
We are dependent on contractual arrangements with, and the cooperation of, landfill site owners and operators for access to and operations on their sites.
Our gas rights and off-take agreements are subject to certain conditions. A failure to satisfy those conditions could result in the loss of gas rights or the termination of an off-take agreement.
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and acquisitions. It could also expose us to the risk of increased interest rates and limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry.
Loss of our key management could adversely affect performance and the value of our common shares.
Existing regulations and policies, and future changes to regulations and policies, may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the generation, purchase and use of renewable energy, and may adversely affect the market for credits associated with the production of renewable energy.
Operation of LFG facilities involves significant risks and hazards customary to the energy industry. We may not have adequate insurance to cover these risks and hazards, or other risks that are beyond our control.
Our operations, as well as those of our feedstock suppliers, are subject to numerous stringent environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.
Liabilities and costs associated with hazardous materials and contamination and other environmental conditions may require us to conduct investigations or remediation at the properties underlying our projects, may adversely impact the value of our projects or the underlying properties and may expose us to liabilities to third parties.
We have significant customer concentration, with a limited number of purchasers accounting for a substantial portion of our revenues.
Changes to applicable tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our business and future profitability.
Our business plans include expanding from LFG projects into other types of feedstocks or transmission projects. Any such expansions of non-LFG projects or transmission projects may present unforeseen challenges and result in a competitive disadvantage relative to our more-established competitors.
We have a history of accounting losses and may incur additional losses in the future.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. We may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, which may result in material misstatements of our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Archaea Energy Inc. (“Archaea” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation (formerly named Rice Acquisition Corp.) initially formed in September 2020, is one of the largest RNG producers in the U.S., with an industry-leading RNG platform primarily focused on capturing and converting waste emissions from landfills and anaerobic digesters into low-carbon RNG and electricity. We own, through wholly-owned entities or joint ventures, a diversified portfolio of 29 LFG recovery and processing facilities across 18 states, including 11 operated facilities that produce pipeline-quality RNG and 18 LFG to renewable electricity production facilities, including one non-operated facility and one facility that is not operational, as of December 31, 2021.
We produce and sell RNG and renewable electricity, primarily under long-term off-take agreements, along with the Environmental Attributes that we are able to derive from these products. RNG has the same chemical composition as traditional natural gas from fossil sources, and the RNG we produce and sell is pipeline quality and can be used interchangeably with natural gas in any application. Additionally, RNG and renewable electricity generate valuable Environmental Attributes that can be monetized under foreign, federal, and state initiatives. The Environmental Attributes we are able to derive and sell include RINs and state low-carbon fuel credits, which are generated from the conversion of biogas to RNG which is used as a transportation fuel; RTCs generated from the conversion of biogas to any thermal application (including power generation, heating or otherwise); and RECs generated from the conversion of biogas to renewable electricity.
We have entered into long-term agreements with biogas site hosts which give us the rights to utilize gas produced at their sites and to construct and operate facilities on their sites to produce RNG and renewable electricity. Payments to biogas site hosts under these agreements are typically in the form of royalties based on realized revenues, or, in some select cases, based on production volumes, and may also include upfront payments and advance royalty payments. We have long-term agreements in place which grant us gas rights for our full development backlog of 35 projects as of December 31, 2021. Our development backlog includes planned upgrades of certain operating RNG facilities over time, opportunities to convert most of our renewable electricity facilities into RNG facilities, and greenfield RNG development opportunities.
We are planning to procure additional RNG development opportunities by securing gas rights agreements for additional landfill sites, and we may explore development of other biogas sources. We are also pursuing carbon capture and sequestration opportunities, including the development of wells for carbon sequestration, and we are pursuing the use of on-site solar-generated electricity to meet energy needs for RNG production, lower the carbon intensity of future biogas projects and reduce the carbon footprint of our partners, including our biogas host and commercial customers.Lowering the carbon intensity of our RNG is a key initiative that can enhance the value of our Environmental Attributes in certain markets.In addition to our carbon capture and sequestration and solar initiatives, we are pursuing the development and production of renewable hydrogen utilizing our landfill gas sources, which we would intend to sell under long-term fixed-price agreements into the emerging hydrogen economy.
We also provide other landfill energy operations and maintenance (“O&M”) services to certain of our JV production facilities and biogas site partners and sell gas processing equipment through our GCES subsidiary.
The Business Combinations and Related Transactions
On April 7, 2021, RAC entered into the Business Combination Agreements. On September 15, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), RAC completed the Business Combinations to acquire Legacy Archaea and Aria. Following the closing of the Business Combinations, RAC changed its name from “Rice Acquisition Corp.” to “Archaea Energy Inc.,” also referred to herein as the “Company.” Rice Acquisitions Holdings LLC was renamed “LFG Acquisition Holdings LLC,” also referred to herein as “Opco.” In connection with the Business Combinations closing, the Company completed a private placement of 29,166,667 shares of Class A Common Stock and 250,000 warrants (each warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50) for gross proceeds of $300 million.
The Company and Opco issued 33.4 million Class A Opco Units and 33.4 million shares of Class B Common Stock at the Closing Date to Legacy Archaea Holders to acquire Legacy Archaea. Aria was acquired for total initial consideration of $863.1 million, subject to certain future adjustments set forth in the Aria Merger Agreement (the “Aria Closing Merger Consideration”). The Aria Closing Merger Consideration consisted of cash consideration of $377.1 million paid to Aria
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Holders, equity consideration in the form of 23.0 million newly issued Class A Opco Units and 23.0 million newly issued shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and $91.1 million for repayment of Aria debt.
Archaea has retained its “up-C” structure, whereby all of the equity interests in Aria and Legacy Archaea are indirectly held by Opco and the Company’s only assets are its equity interests in Opco.
The up-C structure allows the Legacy Archaea Holders, the Aria Holders and the Sponsor to retain their equity ownership through Opco, an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the form of Class A Opco Units, and provides potential future tax benefits for Archaea when those holders of Class A Opco Units ultimately exchange their Class A Opco Units and shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock in the Company. Opco is considered a VIE for accounting purposes, and the Company, as the sole managing member of Opco, is considered the primary beneficiary. As such, the Company consolidates Opco, and the unitholders that hold economic interests directly in Opco are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company’s financial statements.
Holders of Class A Opco Units, other than Archaea, have the right (a “redemption right”), subject to certain limitations, to redeem Class A Opco Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock for, at Opco’s option, (i) shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) a corresponding amount of cash. The Aria Holders were subject to a 180-day lock-up period on transferring their Class A Opco Units which expired early in November 2021 due to Class A Common Stock trading prices as set forth in the Stockholders Agreement. The Legacy Archaea Holders are subject to a lock-up period ranging from one to two years following the Closing. Additional details and discussion of the lock-up period are provided in “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Principal Products and Services
RNG Production and Power Generation
We produce RNG by operating 11 RNG facilities through wholly-owned entities or operating joint ventures, and we produce Power by operating 16 LFG to renewable electricity facilities. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Legacy Archaea and Aria produced and sold, on an aggregate basis including our proportionate share from our equity method investments, 5.72 million MMBtu of RNG and 872 thousand MWh of electricity (including approximately 203 thousand MWh from LES Project Holdings LLC assets that were sold by Aria in June 2021).
Generation of Environmental Attributes
We generate Environmental Attributes including RINs, LCFS credits, and RTCs in the RNG market and RECs in the power market.
Commercial Activities – Monetizing our RNG, Power and Environmental Attributes
Our differentiated commercial strategy is focused on selling the majority of our RNG volumes under long-term, fixed-price contracts with creditworthy partners including utilities, corporations, and universities, which helps these entities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve decarbonization goals while utilizing their existing gas infrastructure. Whenever possible, we seek to mitigate our exposure to commodity and Environmental Attribute pricing volatility by selling our RNG and Environmental Attributes under long-term contracts which are designed to provide revenue certainty. As of March 15, 2022, we have $5.2 billion in cumulative fixed-price value under our existing long-term, fixed-price contracts, based on maximum annual volumes over the term of the contracts (weighted average contract term is 18.7 years). All of these contracts are with investment grade counterparties, except for one counterparty, which does not have a credit rating, to a contract constituting less than 1% of our total cumulative fixed-price value as of March 15, 2022.
We enter into bundled contracts, where RNG and Environmental Attributes are sold together, and at times, enter into agreements to sell Environmental Attributes on their own. Many of our agreements have minimum sales volumes, and some also allow us the optionality to sell additional volumes up to a maximum amount under the contract. We also sell a portion of our volumes under short-term agreements, and many of these volumes generate Environmental Attributes that we also monetize.
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In November 2021, the Company entered into a 21-year, fixed-price RNG purchase and sale agreement with Northwest Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holdings, for the sale of Environmental Attributes related to up to one million MMBtu of RNG annually, beginning in 2022 and ramping up to the full annual quantity in 2025.
In January 2022, the Company entered into a 20-year, fixed-price RNG purchase and sale agreement with FortisBC Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., for the sale of up to approximately 7.6 million MMBtu of RNG and associated Environmental Attributes annually, with sales expected to begin in 2022 and ramping up to the full annual quantity in 2025.
In February 2022 and through March 15, 2022, we entered into fixed-price agreements to forward sell 15.9 million of our RINs expected to be generated in 2022 to provide price certainty over the short-term.
These recent commercial wins have moved us closer to our target of selling 70% of our expected production under long-term, fixed-price agreements with creditworthy counterparties. As of March 15, 2022, 7 MMBtu of RNG is contracted for 2022 based on maximum volumes under our existing long-term contracts. Once volumes under these contracts ramp up to full contractual levels in the mid-2020s, based on maximum volumes under our existing long-term contracts, we expect to sell up to 16 MMBtu of RNG under these existing off-take agreements on a post-development, long-term basis (i.e., once projects in our development backlog have been built out).
O&M Services
We perform operating and maintenance services for certain of our JV production facilities and biogas site partners.
Our Production Facilities and Projects
We have a base of production facilities today and a robust pipeline of RNG development opportunities. As of December 31, 2021, we own, through wholly-owned entities or joint ventures, a diversified portfolio of 29 LFG recovery and processing facilities, including 11 operated facilities that produce pipeline-quality RNG and 18 LFG to renewable electricity production facilities, including one non-operated facility and one facility that is not operational. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combinations, the RNG facilities were included in Archaea’s or Aria’s RNG operating segment, and the renewable electricity facilities were included in Aria’s Power operating segment, except for the PEI Power facility in Archbald, PA, which was included in Archaea’s Power operating segment. Excluding our O&M projects owned by third parties, the gas rights associated with our 29 production facilities that are not evergreen are due to expire at varying points over the next 23 years, with gas rights to 5 landfills due to expire by the end of 2031.
Over the next several years, we intend to upgrade certain existing RNG production facilities and convert certain current LFG to renewable electricity facilities to RNG production facilities. These facilities targeted for conversion or upgrade already have gas development agreements in place in addition to site leases, zoning, air permits, and much of the critical infrastructure that is needed to develop RNG projects. We also plan to develop and construct our portfolio of greenfield development opportunities, for which we also already have gas rights agreements in place with biogas site hosts. Our development backlog as of March 15, 2022 includes 38 projects (35 as of December 31, 2021) for which we already have gas right agreements in place, including 10 optimizations and 28 new builds, and we are planning to secure additional RNG development opportunities through new long-term agreements with biogas site hosts. Our gas rights agreements generally require that we achieve commercial operations for a project as of a specified date or the agreement terminates, and the contracts with respect to our greenfield development backlog have a remaining term of approximately one to three years.
One of our key priorities for 2022 is the implementation of our Archaea V1 plant design, a standardized and modularized plant design. We are currently developing four standard plants, to be built on skids and with interchangeable subcomponents, in sizes ranging from 2,000 to 9,600 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of capacity. Throughout 2021, our focus was primarily on system design and procurement, and our focus this year will be on implementation. We currently have orders in place for the major components for 22 plants. Deliveries of components have begun, and we expect to install our first V1 plant in the second half of this year. We believe these preorders have significantly minimized our near-term supply chain and inflation risks. Our end goal is to build our supply chain and fabrication capabilities to be able to pull Archaea V1 plants “off the shelf” in the future, and our plan is for all new build projects in our 2022 and forward development plan to implement the Archaea V1 design, which we believe will enable us to reduce project development and construction time to 18 months and lower project development costs by about 40% compared to industry averages.
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On December 30, 2021, we announced the successful start-up of Project Assai (“Assai”), an RNG facility located at the Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Commercial operations were achieved on December 30, 2021, with the introduction of pipeline-quality RNG into the pipeline interconnect located adjacent to the production facility site. Assai is the highest capacity operational RNG facility in the United States.
As of March 15, 2022, we have 12 RNG and 19 LFG to electricity facilities (including three RNG facilities completed and seven electricity facilities acquired since we announced the Business Combinations in April 2021). We currently have 20 projects in our 2022 development plans; however, the timing and ultimate number of projects completed in 2022 is subject to change due to various factors, some of which are outside our control. The tables below provide information for each of our production facilities:
RNG Production Facilities
SiteLocation
AssaiDunmore, PA
Boyd CountyAshland, KY
ButlerDavid City, NE
Canton (JV)Canton, MI
KC LFGJohnson County, KS
North Shelby (JV)Millington, TN
Oklahoma CityOklahoma City, OK
SE Oklahoma City (JV)Oklahoma City, OK
Seneca GasWaterloo, NY
Soares (Dairy)Madera, CA
South Shelby (JV)Memphis, TN
SWACOGrove City, OH
Renewable Electricity Production Facilities
SiteLocation
Athens-ClarkeWinterville, GA
ColonieCohoes, NY
County LineArgos, IN
DANCRodman, NY
EmeraldGraham, WA
ErieErie, CO
FultonJohnstown, NY
Hernando CountyBrooksville, FL
Hickory Meadows (JV)Hilbert, WI
JohnstonSmithfield, NC
Model CityYoungstown, NY
ModernYoungstown, NY
OntarioStanley, NY
PEI PowerArchbald, PA
RochelleRochelle, IL
SarasotaNokomis, FL
Seneca PowerWaterloo, NY
Sunshine Canyon (JV, non-operated)Sylmar, CA
TRGChurch Hill, TN
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Market Opportunity
Increasing Demand for RNG
The demand for RNG produced from biogas has grown significantly over the past several years and is expected to continue to grow for the foreseeable future due to increases in (i) regulatory-driven focus on cleaner energy sources and reduced GHG emissions such as methane, (ii) broad-based corporate support for voluntary renewable energy and sustainability initiatives, and (iii) public sector demand to diversify energy sources from fossil fuel-based alternatives.
According to the EPA, methane is a significant GHG which accounted for approximately 10% of all U.S. GHG emissions from human activities in 2019 and which has a comparative impact on the atmosphere that is 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Biogas processing facilities could substantially reduce methane emissions at landfills and livestock farms, which together accounted for approximately 26% of U.S. methane emissions in 2019 according to the EPA.
RNG has traditionally been sold primarily into the transportation sector, where RNG is used in vehicles as CNG or LNG and as a replacement for natural gas from fossil sources. Growth in this market has largely been driven by environmental subsidies to support the production of renewable transportation fuels. We expect demand for RNG as a transportation fuel to continue, and multiple corporations have recently announced they are testing or incorporating sustainable transportation solutions into their fleets using RNG as CNG and LNG.
There is also growing demand for RNG in sectors other than transportation, including as a feedstock for electricity generation, heating and cooking for residential and commercial use, hydrogen production, biomethanol, sustainable aviation fuel. ammonia and other fertilizes, and renewable LNG. We have successfully secured long-term fixed-price off-take agreements with multiple investment-grade counterparties who expect to utilize RNG in these sectors and anticipate that an increased focus on sustainability initiatives and GHG reductions will continue to drive demand growth in these sectors. Numerous utilities, corporations, and universities have recently announced RNG targets or mandates and emphasized the role they expect RNG to play in their decarbonization initiatives. Importantly, our long-term fixed-price RNG off-take agreements are not dependent on the continuation or ratification of any underlying local, state or federal government renewable fuel programs (e.g. RFS, LCFS). RNG can be transported via the existing natural gas pipeline network that spans millions of miles across the United States and Canada, enabling Archaea to deliver RNG to current and prospective customers nearly anywhere in North America.
Availability of Long-Term Feedstock Supply
Biogas is collected and processed to remove impurities for use as RNG, which has the same chemical composition as and can be used interchangeably with traditional natural gas from fossil sources. Common sources of biogas include landfills, livestock farms, wastewater resource recovery facilities, organic waste management operations, and forest and wood products.
We are primarily focused on landfill-sourced biogas and believe there is a significant opportunity for growth in RNG production from landfill gas. The EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (“LMOP”) reports approximately 2,600 landfills in the U.S., of which approximately 500 landfills have operational LFG to energy facilities. Some landfills have more than one operational facility, for a total of approximately 550 LFG to energy facilities, of which only 72 are RNG facilities and the remainder are LFG to electricity facilities. We believe we are well-positioned to help convert these LFG to electricity facilities into RNG production facilities. Of the remaining approximately 2,100 landfills that have no form of landfill gas to RNG or electricity generation, the EPA has identified approximately 500 landfills as candidates for future project development.
We have identified actionable growth opportunities and expect to be uniquely positioned and qualified to work with landfill owners to develop new greenfield RNG projects and convert existing renewable electricity facilities to RNG.
The availability of additional biogas sources such as organic waste management, wastewater resource recovery facilities, and livestock farms also have the potential to support the growth of our business.
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Government Programs Promoting RNG Growth
RNG generates Environmental Attributes which can be monetized to generate additional revenue. These Environmental Attributes are provided for under several different programs, including RFS and LCFS programs.
The RFS program was authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and expanded through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. At its most basic level, it requires the use of specific volumes of biofuel in the U.S. and is aimed at (i) increasing energy security by reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and establishing domestic green fuel related industries and (ii) improving the environment through the reduction of GHG emissions.
Under the RFS program, transportation fuel sold in the U.S. must contain a certain minimum volume of renewable fuel. To enforce compliance, the EPA began using RINs as a means to track the production, use, and trading of renewable fuels. A RIN is generated when an EPA-registered renewable fuel producer produces renewable fuel that is then dispensed as transportation fuel. The type of RIN a renewable fuel producer can generate is determined by the reduction in GHG emissions compared to the gasoline or diesel baseline. Fuels are categorized by “D-code” depending on these GHG emission reductions. Each type of renewable fuel also carries an EV that determines how many RINs a renewable fuel producer can generate with each gallon of renewable fuel produced. Finally, the EPA regulates the amount of RINs the industry as a whole must obtain and retire on an annual basis.
Our LFG-to-RNG production facilities generate D3, or cellulosic biofuels, RINs for which there is high demand due to supply constraints and the ability of D3 RINs to fulfill obligations in other D-Code categories. For example, a D3 RIN can be used to fulfill obligations in both the D5 and D6 categories, as well as in the D3 category. The EPA refers to this concept as “nesting.” Moreover, the most restrictive standards apply to the cellulosic biofuel category, including a 60% GHG reduction and a 1.0 to 1.5 EV, resulting in a limited number of qualifying fuels which meet the corresponding standards.
On the state level, the economics of RNG are enhanced by low-carbon fuel initiatives, particularly well-established programs in California and Oregon, a program in Washington expected to begin in 2023 or 2024, and several other states also actively considering LCFS initiatives. LCFS regulations are aimed at reducing the CI of transportation fuel sold and purchased in the applicable state. A CI score is calculated as grams of CO2-equivalent per megajoule of energy of the fuel. The CI score is dependent upon a full lifecycle analysis that evaluates the GHG emissions associated with producing, transporting, and consuming the fuel. LCFS credits can be generated in three ways: (i) fuel pathway crediting that provides low carbon fuels used in California transportation; (ii) project-based crediting that reduces GHG emissions in the petroleum supply chain; and (iii) zero emission vehicle crediting that supports the buildout of infrastructure. These credits are awarded to RNG projects based on each project’s CI score relative to the targeted CI score for both gasoline and diesel fuels. The number of monetizable LCFS credits per unit of fuel increases with a lower CI score.
We believe credits generated under the RFS and LCFS programs can provide meaningful revenue upside but also note that their pricing has historically been volatile and remains difficult to forecast. While we intend to sell a portion of our RNG production and associated Environmental Attributes at market prices and thus capture the value of prevailing RIN and LCFS credits, we aim to cap our merchant (variable) exposure to approximately 30% of RNG volumes, with the remaining approximately 70% contracted under long-term fixed price off-take agreements in which the customer retains the value of the Environmental Attributes. This strategy of locking in the majority of volumes under take-or-pay contracts with no Environmental Attribute pricing risk differentiates us from most of our competitors in the RNG space today.
Customers
We seek to be a reliable long-term provider of lower-carbon energy to help our off-take partners decarbonize and achieve their sustainability goals. Our customers include utilities, corporations, universities, municipalities, and marketers. We sell RNG and related Environmental Attributes primarily to municipalities, corporations, and marketers. We sell electricity and RECs primarily to utilities and ISOs.
Because our projects depend on sales of RNG, electricity, and Environmental Attributes to certain key purchasers, our projects are highly dependent upon these customers fulfilling their contractual obligations under their respective PPAs or GSAs. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue.
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Competition
There are many other companies operating in the renewable energy and RNG production space, and we face competition both on rights to manage or develop LFG projects and the prices we receive for our RNG and renewable electricity. In the LFG industry, we believe our primary competitors are other LFG companies with existing projects and landfill owners that either operate their own LFG projects or may do so in the future. We compete with these companies to acquire LFG rights for additional project development, existing LFG projects, or in some cases to renew or extend existing gas rights. Increased competition for such projects may increase the price we pay for gas rights, the acquisition costs for existing projects or the royalties or other payments we have to pay landfill owners, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We may also find ourselves competing more frequently with landfill owners to the extent they decide to exercise their purchase rights that exist under certain of our gas rights agreements or otherwise develop their own LFG projects, which would also reduce the number of opportunities for us to develop new LFG projects. We also compete with other RNG developers for long-term fixed-price off-take agreements with existing and potential buyers of RNG.
Evolving consumer preferences, regulatory conditions, ongoing waste industry trends, and project economics have a strong effect on the competitive landscape. The biogas and RNG markets are heavily fragmented. We believe we are in a strong position to compete for new project development and supply opportunities, as well as additional off-take agreements, due to our technical expertise, relationships across the industry, scale, breadth of our operating platform, and capital structure. However, competition for such opportunities, including the prices being offered for fuel supply, may impact profitability of opportunities to us and may make opportunities unsuitable to pursue.
Seasonality
To some extent, we experience seasonality in our results of operations. Short-term sales of RNG may be impacted by higher consumption of vehicle fuels by some of our customers in the summer months, when buses and other fleet vehicles use more fuel to power their air conditioning systems, which typically translate to an increased volume of fuel delivered in the summer months. In addition, natural gas commodity prices tend to be higher in the fall and winter months, due to increased overall demand for natural gas for heating during these periods.
Revenues generated from our renewable electricity production facilities in the northeast U.S., all of which sell electricity at market prices, are affected by warmer and colder weather, and therefore a portion of our quarterly operating results and cash flows are affected by pricing changes due to regional temperatures. These seasonal variances are managed in part by certain off-take agreements at fixed prices.
Cold weather can cause our plants to experience freeze-offs and power outages, resulting in more downtime than under warm weather conditions. Shipping delays for replacement parts and construction materials may also be more frequent during the winter months leading to incremental downtime or construction delays. In addition, lower ambient temperatures result in lower biogas production from our anaerobic digesters and may result in changes to landfill gas composition during the winter months which have the potential to cause incremental downtime. Our energy production can also be affected during the summer months, as very warm temperatures can dry out a landfill if the landfill owner is unable to keep the landfill covered, which in turn reduces the LFG generated at the site.
Human Capital
We have a total of 292 full time employees as of December 31, 2021. None of our employees is represented by a labor organization or under any collective bargaining agreements.
The success and growth of our business is significantly correlated with our ability to recruit, train, promote and retain talented individuals at all levels of our organization. To succeed in a competitive labor market, we have developed and maintain key recruitment and retention strategies. These include competitive salary structures, including bonus and equity compensation programs, competitive benefits policies, including paid time off for vacations, sick leave and holidays, short-term disability coverage, group term life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken an integrated approach to helping our employees manage their work and personal responsibilities, with a strong focus on employee well-being, health and safety.
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Governmental Regulation
We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety, labor and employment, building codes and construction, zoning and land use, public reporting and taxation, among others. These regulations and policies are subject to amendment, which could result in a significant future reduction in the potential demand or incentives available for renewable energy (including Environmental Attributes that certain forms of renewable energy may generate), renewable energy project development and investments. Any new government regulations applicable to our renewable energy projects or markets for renewable energy may result in significant additional expenses or related development costs and, as a result could cause a significant reduction in demand for our renewable energy. Failure to comply with such requirements could result in the disconnection and/or shutdown of the non-complying facility, our inability to sell electricity or RNG from the non-complying facility, the voiding or disqualification of Environmental Attributes generated in association with our operations, the default of any contracts that we have for the sales that were to be made from the non-complying facility, the imposition of liens, fines and penalties, forfeiture of certain payments we have made, refunds and interest, or civil or criminal liability.
On the state level, the economics of RNG are enhanced by low-carbon fuel initiatives, particularly well-established programs in California and Oregon, with several other states also actively considering similar LCFS initiatives.
Our market-based sales are subject to certain market behavior rules established by FERC, and if any of our generating companies are deemed to have violated those rules, we will be subject to potential disgorgement of profits associated with the violation, penalties, refunds of unlawfully collected amounts with interest, suspension or revocation of MBR authority. If such generating companies were to lose their MBR authority, they would be required to obtain the FERC’s acceptance of a cost of service rate schedule and could become subject to the significant accounting, record-keeping, and reporting requirements that are typically imposed on vertically-integrated utilities with cost based rate schedules. This could have a material adverse effect on the rates we are able to charge for power from our facilities. The regulatory environment for electric generation has undergone significant changes in the last several years due to state and federal policies affecting wholesale competition and the creation of incentives for the addition of large amounts of new renewable generation and, in some cases, transmission assets. These changes are ongoing and we cannot predict the future design of the wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that the changing regulatory environment will have on our business.
Environmental Regulation
Our operations, as well as our feedstock suppliers, are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the discharge or release of materials into the environment, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety. Such laws and regulations impose, among other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with the generation, handling, use, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of various substances, including hazardous substances and waste and as a result of any spills, releases, discharges and emissions of various substances into the environment. Environmental regulations also require that our facilities, sites and other properties be operated, maintained, decommissioned and restored to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. Occupational health and safety regulations establish standards protective of workers. These laws, as amended from time to time, include, for example:
the Clean Air Act (“CAA”), which regulates air emission pollutants, GHG emissions and reciprocating engines subject to Maximum Achievable Control Technology standards;
the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), which establishes the extent to which waterways are subject to federal jurisdiction and serves to regulate the discharge of wastewater from our facilities into state and federal waters;
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the Superfund law, which regulates the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by us or locations to which we have sent hazardous substances for disposal;
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (“EPAct”), which, among other things, establishes requirements for minimum volumes of renewable fuels in transportation fuel;
the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), which establishes workplace standards for the protection of the health and safety of employees, including the implementation of hazard communications programs designed to inform employees about hazardous substances in the workplace, potential harmful effects of these substances and appropriate control measures;
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the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), which imposes requirements for the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes at or from our facilities; and
various state and local laws, which may include analogs to the above or other or more stringent requirements.
An accidental release from one of our facilities could subject us to substantial liabilities arising from environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring landowners and other third parties for personal injury, natural resource and property damages and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Moreover, under certain environmental laws such as CERCLA and RCRA, we could incur strict joint and several liability for remediating hazardous substances or wastes disposed of or released by us or prior owners or operators. We also could incur costs related to the clean-up of third-party sites to which we sent regulated substances for disposal or to which we sent equipment for cleaning. Failure to comply with these federal, state and local laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of corrective or remedial obligations, the incurrence of capital expenditures, the occurrence of delays, denials or cancellations in permitting or the development or expansion of projects and the issuance of orders enjoining performance of some or all of our operations in affected areas. For more information, see our risk factor titled “Our operations, as well as those of our feedstock suppliers, are subject to numerous stringent environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.”
Segment Information and Geographic Area
The Company operates in two reporting segments, RNG and Power. The Company’s operating facilities are located across 18 states. Additional data and discussion are provided in “Note 23 - Segment Information”, and “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Available Information
Archaea's principal executive offices are located at 4444 Westheimer Road, Suite G450, Houston, Texas 77027. Archaea's website is located at www.archaeaenergy.com.
Archaea furnishes or files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Archaea makes these documents available free of charge at www.archaeaenergy.com under the “Investors” tab as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed or furnished with the SEC. In addition, corporate governance information, including our corporate governance guidelines and code of ethics, is also available on our investor relations website under the heading “Governance Documents.” Information on Archaea’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any of the Company’s other filings with the SEC. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
Archaea’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, is listed and traded on the NYSE under the ticker “LFG.”
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors apply to the business and operations of the Company following the completion of the Business Combinations. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in these risk factors, alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may have an adverse effect on the business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations of the Company. These risks should be carefully considered prior to, or continuing, investment in our Company. These risk factors are not exhaustive, and the Company may face additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to us, or currently deemed immaterial, which may also impair our business or financial condition.
Risks Related to the Business and Industry of the Company
The COVID-19 pandemic and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate the pandemic may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The COVID-19 pandemic and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate the pandemic have caused, and are continuing to cause, business slowdowns or shutdowns in affected areas and significant disruptions in the financial markets both globally and in the United States. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigation measures, we began implementing changes in our business in March 2020 to protect our employees and customers, and to support appropriate
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health and safety protocols. These measures resulted in additional costs, which we expect will continue through 2022 as we continue to work to address employee safety. Although we are considered an essential company under the U.S. Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidance and the various state or local jurisdictions in which we operate, we remain uncertain of the ultimate effect COVID-19 could have on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The duration and extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, including the duration, severity and spread of the pandemic, actions taken to contain its spread, any further resurgence of COVID-19, the severity and transmission rates of new variants of COVID-19, the availability, distribution and efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume within the markets in which we operate, each of which are highly uncertain at this time and outside of our control. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we may continue to experience adverse effects to our business and financial results because of its global economic impact, including any economic downturn or recession that has occurred or may occur. The adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition could be material.
Our strategic success and financial results depend on our ability to identify, acquire, develop and operate LFG projects, as well as our ability to expand production at our current production facilities.
Our business strategy includes growth primarily through the procurement of biogas rights to develop new LFG projects, the acquisition and/or expansion of existing LFG projects, or conversion of production facilities from renewable electricity to RNG production. This strategy depends on our ability to successfully identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities and complete new projects or acquisitions on favorable terms. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully identify new landfill opportunities, acquire additional gas rights, develop new LFG projects, or consummate the acquisition of existing LFG projects, on favorable terms or at all. In addition, we will compete with other companies and private equity sponsors for these development and acquisition opportunities, which may increase our costs or cause us to refrain from making acquisitions at all. We also expect to achieve growth through the expansion of production at certain of our current production facilities as the related landfills are expanded or otherwise begin to produce more gas, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to reach or renew the necessary agreements with landfill owners on economically favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to successfully identify and consummate future project opportunities or acquisitions of existing projects, or expand RNG and renewable electricity production at our current production facilities, it will impede our ability to execute our growth strategy. Further, we may also experience supply-chain delays and cost overruns in converting existing facilities from renewable electricity to RNG production or development of new facilities. During the conversion of production facilities, there may be a gap in production and relating revenue while the electricity project is offline until it commences operation as an RNG facility, which adversely affects our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to acquire, develop and operate projects, as well as expand production at current production facilities, is subject to various risks, including:
regulatory changes that affect the value of RNG and related Environmental Attributes and its Carbon Intensity, which could have a significant effect on the financial performance of our projects and the number of potential projects with attractive economics;
changes in energy commodity prices, such as natural gas and wholesale electricity prices, which could have a significant effect on our revenues and expenses;
changes in pipeline gas quality standards or other regulatory changes that may limit our ability to transport RNG on pipelines for delivery to third parties or increase the costs of processing RNG to allow for such deliveries;
changes in the broader waste collection industry, including changes affecting the waste collection and biogas potential of the landfill industry, which could limit the LFG resource that we currently target for our projects;
substantial construction risks, including the risk of delay, that may arise due to forces outside of our control, including those related to engineering and environmental problems, inclement weather and labor disruptions;
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operating risks and the effect of disruptions on our business, including the effects of global health crises such as COVID-19, weather conditions, catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, earthquakes, droughts and acts of terrorism, and other force majeure events on us, our customers, suppliers, distributors and subcontractors;
accidents involving personal injury or the loss of life, as a result of work conditions including, but not limited to, hazardous worksite site conditions and gas exposure;
entering into markets where we have less experience, such as our projects for biogas recovery at livestock farms;
the ability to obtain financing for a project on acceptable terms or at all and the need for substantially more capital than initially budgeted to complete projects and exposure to liabilities as a result of unforeseen environmental, construction, technological or other complications;
failures or delays in obtaining desired or necessary land rights, including ownership, leases, easements, zoning rights and building permits;
a decrease in the availability, pricing and timeliness of delivery of raw materials and components necessary for the construction or operation of projects;
obtaining and keeping in good standing permits, authorizations and consents from local city, county, state and U.S. federal governments as well as local and U.S. federal governmental organizations;
penalties, including potential termination, under short-term and long-term contracts for failing to deliver RNG in accordance with our contractual obligations;
unknown regulatory changes for RNG which may increase the transportation cost for delivering under contracts in place;
the consent and authorization of local utilities or other energy development off-takers to ensure successful interconnection to energy grids to enable power and gas sales; and
difficulties in identifying, obtaining and permitting suitable sites for new projects.
Any of these factors could prevent us from acquiring, developing, operating or expanding our projects, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acquiring existing projects involves numerous risks.
The acquisition of existing LFG projects and companies involves numerous risks, many of which may be indiscoverable through the due diligence process, including exposure to previously existing liabilities and unanticipated costs associated with the pre-acquisition period; difficulty in integrating the acquired projects into our existing business; and, if the projects are in new markets, the risks of entering markets where we have limited experience, less knowledge of differences in market terms for gas rights agreements and off-take agreements, and, for international projects, possible exposure to exchange-rate risk to the extent we need to finance development and operations of foreign projects and to repatriate earnings generated by such projects. While we perform due diligence on prospective acquisitions, we may not be able to discover all potential operational deficiencies in such projects. A failure to achieve the financial returns we expect when we acquire LFG projects could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Risks related to acquiring existing projects, include:
the purchase price we pay could significantly deplete our cash reserves or result in dilution to our existing stockholders;
the acquired companies or assets may not improve our customer offerings or market position as planned;
we may have difficulty integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired companies;
key personnel and customers of the acquired companies may terminate their relationships with the acquired companies as a result of or following the acquisition;
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we may experience additional financial and accounting challenges and complexities in areas such as tax planning and financial reporting;
we may incur additional costs and expenses related to complying with additional laws, rules or regulations in new jurisdictions;
we may assume or be held liable for risks and liabilities (including for environmental-related costs) as a result of our acquisitions, some of which we may not discover during our due diligence or adequately adjust for in our acquisition arrangements;
our ongoing business and management’s attention may be disrupted or diverted by transition or integration issues and the complexity of managing geographically diverse enterprises;
we may incur one-time write-offs or restructuring charges in connection with an acquisition;
we may acquire goodwill and other intangible assets that are subject to amortization or impairment tests, which could result in future charges to earnings; and
we may not be able to realize the cost savings or other financial benefits we anticipated.
In order to secure contracts for new projects, we typically face a long and variable development cycle that requires significant resource commitments and a long lead time before we realize revenues.
The development, design and construction process for our renewable energy projects generally lasts approximately 24 months, on average. Prior to signing a gas rights agreement for project development, we typically conduct a preliminary audit of the site host’s needs and assess whether the site is commercially viable based on our expected return on investment, investment payback period, and other operating metrics, as well as the necessary permits to develop a project on that site. This extended development process requires the dedication of significant time and resources from our sales and management personnel, with no certainty of success or recovery of our expenses. A potential site host may go through the entire sales process and not accept our proposal. Further, upon commencement of operations, it typically takes several months for the project to ramp up to our full expected production level. All of these factors, and in particular, increased spending that is not offset by increased revenues, can contribute to fluctuations in our quarterly financial performance and increase the likelihood that our operating results in a particular period will fall below investor expectations.
Our business plans include expanding from LFG projects into other types of feedstocks or transmission projects, or new lines of business. Any such expansions of non-LFG projects, transmission projects, or new lines of business may present unforeseen challenges and result in a competitive disadvantage relative to our more-established competitors.
We currently operate primarily LFG production facilities that convert LFG into RNG and renewable electricity. However, we are actively developing projects that use anaerobic digesters to capture and convert emissions into low-carbon RNG, and we may expand into additional feedstocks in the future. In addition, we are actively considering expansion into other lines of business, including carbon capture and sequestration, generation of renewable electricity for our projects from solar, and the use of RNG as a feedstock for renewable hydrogen. These projects could expose us to increased operating costs, unforeseen liabilities or risks, and regulatory and environmental concerns associated with entering new sectors of the energy industry, including requiring a disproportionate amount of our management’s attention and resources, which could have an adverse impact on our business as well as place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to more established non-LFG market participants.
Other types of feedstock, specifically dairy farm and other livestock waste projects, produce significantly less RNG than landfill facilities. As a result, the commercial viability of these projects is even more dependent on various factors and market forces outside of our control, like changes to laws or regulations that could affect the value of our projects or the incentives available to them. In addition to these known factors, there are other factors currently unknown to us that may affect the commercial viability of other types of feedstock. As such, expansion into other types of feedstock could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Some projects in which we might invest in the future may be subject to cost-of-service rate regulation, which would limit our potential revenue from such projects. If we invest, directly or indirectly, in an electric transmitting project that allows us to exercise transmission market power, FERC could require our affiliates with MBR power sales authority to implement
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mitigation measures as a condition of maintaining our or our affiliates’ MBR authority. FERC regulations limit using a transmission project for proprietary purposes, and we may be required to offer others (including competitors) open-access to our transmission asset, should we acquire one. Such acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide is subject to numerous laws and regulations with uncertain permitting timelines and costs. We also intend to explore the production of renewable hydrogen sourced from our projects’ RNG. We do not have an operating history in the carbon capture and sequestration or renewable hydrogen markets, and there is no certainty that our entry into a new business line will be successful.
Our fixed-price contracts create the potential for operating losses in the event our variable costs rise unexpectedly.
We seek to enter into long-term fixed price off-take agreements, and expect approximately 70% of our RNG volumes to be contracted under long-term fixed price off-take agreements. We believe our fixed-price arrangements reduce our exposure to fluctuating energy, commodity and Environmental Attributes prices, and a number of our existing long-term fixed price contracts include price-adjustment mechanisms related to inflation. However, if our costs were to rise unexpectedly or in a manner inconsistent with the inflation adjustment mechanisms included in the contracts, the revenue under our fixed-price contracts would not match these changes in cost, which may result in operating losses.
Although approximately 70% of our RNG volumes are expected to be contracted under long-term fixed price off-take agreements, approximately 30% of our RNG volumes are expected to be contracted on a merchant pricing basis that exposes us to the risk of price fluctuations.
Contracting a portion of our RNG volumes on a merchant pricing basis allows us to capture the value of prevailing RIN and LCFS credits; however, the value of such Environmental Attributes has historically been volatile and remains difficult to forecast. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the weekly, volume-weighted average RIN price ranged from a high of $3.46 in August to a low of $0.43 in January. California LCFS credits also experienced volatility during the year ended December 31, 2021, with daily prices (based on a five day rolling average) ranging from a high of $201 in January to a low of $143 in November. Although we aim to cap our exposure to merchant pricing by covering a majority of our production with long-term fixed priced contracts, we may not be able to increase the amount of our production that is covered by such contracts. Additionally, excess volumes available for sale into the LCFS market and the CI score of our facilities relative to alternative available volumes, including RNG from livestock operations, may inhibit our ability to compete in the LCFS market.
The price of RINs is driven by various market forces that are difficult to predict, including gasoline prices and the availability of renewable fuel from other renewable energy sources and conventional energy sources. We may be unable to manage the risk of volatility in RIN pricing for all or a portion of our revenues from RINs, which would expose us to the volatility of commodity prices with respect to all or the portion of RINs that we are unable to sell through forward contracts, including risks resulting from changes in regulations, general economic conditions, the interest and availability of counterparties and other necessary intermediaries with respect to RIN sales, and changes in the level of renewable energy generation. We expect to have variations from period to period in the revenues from the production facilities in which we generate revenue from the sale of RINs that we are unable to sell through forward contracts.
Further, the production of RINs significantly in excess of the RVOs set by the EPA for a calendar year could adversely affect the market price of RINs, particularly towards the end of the year, if refiners, fuel importers and wholesalers have satisfied their RVOs for the year. A significant decline in the price of RINs and price of LCFS credits for a prolonged period could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could require us to take an impairment charge relating to one or more of our projects or our goodwill.
A reduction in the prices we can obtain for our Environmental Attributes could have a material adverse effect on our long-term business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant portion of our Power revenues come from the sale of RECs, whether bundled in the price of our production or sold separately. RTCs are a newer form of Environmental Attribute that we are also seeking to monetize for RNG used in thermal energy applications. Environmental Attributes are impacted by a variety of legal and governmental regulatory requirements, and a change in law or in governmental policies concerning renewable energy, LFG or the sale of RECs or RTCs could be expected to affect the market for, and quantity or the pricing of, the RECs or RTCs that we can generate. In particular, a number of automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers are developing alternative clean power
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systems using fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, electric cars or hydrogen fuels. Like RNG, the emerging fuel cell and electric-powered vehicle industries offer technological options to address worldwide energy costs, the long-term availability of petroleum reserves and environmental concerns. If the electric-powered vehicle industry and related alternatives continue to expand and gain broad acceptance, it may result in a decline in the prices of gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels. This additional competition could reduce the demand for RNG and reduce the prices of RINs and LCFS, from which we generate revenues, which would negatively impact our profitability. A reduction in the prices we receive for RECs or RTCs, whether individually or as a portion of the price we receive for our Power or RNG sales, or a reduction in demand for RECs or RTCs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
A prolonged environment of low prices or reduced demand for RNG or renewable electricity could have a material adverse effect on our long-term business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Long-term RNG and renewable electricity prices may fluctuate substantially due to factors outside of our control. The price of electricity can vary significantly for many reasons, including increases and decreases in generation capacity in our markets; changes in power transmission or fuel transportation capacity constraints or inefficiencies; power supply disruptions; weather conditions; seasonal fluctuations; changes in the demand for power or in patterns of power usage, including the potential development of demand-side management tools and practices; development of new fuels or new technologies for the production of power; federal and state regulations; and actions of the ISOs and RTOs that control and administer regional power markets. Further, the amount of power consumed by the electric utility industry is affected primarily by the overall demand for electricity, environmental and other governmental regulations and the price and availability of fuels such as nuclear, coal, natural gas and oil, as well as sources of renewable energy.
If we are unable to renew or replace an off-take agreement for a project for a certain volume of RNG produced, we would be subject to the risks associated with selling that volume of RNG produced at then-current market prices. We may be required to make such sales at a time when the market prices for natural gas, RNG, or Environmental Attributes as a whole or in the regions where those volumes are produced, are depressed. If this were to occur, we would be subject to the volatility of market prices and be unable to predict our revenues from such volumes, and the sales prices for such RNG may be lower than what we could sell the RNG for under an off-take agreement.
A decline in prices for certain fuels or reduced government incentives for renewable energy sources, or RNG specifically, could also make LFG less cost-competitive on an overall basis. Slow growth or a long-term reduction in overall demand for energy could have a material adverse effect on our business strategy and could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face competition both on the prices we receive for our RNG and renewable electricity and for rights to manage or develop LFG projects.
We face competition from both conventional and renewable energy companies in connection with the prices that we can obtain for the RNG and renewable electricity that we produce and sell into energy markets at market prices. The prices that these energy companies can offer are dependent on a variety of factors, including their fuel sources, transmission costs, capacity factor, technological advances and their operations and management. If these companies are able to offer their energy at lower prices, this will reduce the prices we are able to obtain in these markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our competitors may also offer energy solutions at prices below cost, devote significant resources to competing with us or attempt to recruit our key personnel, any of which could improve their competitive positions. In addition, the technologies that we use may be rendered obsolete or uneconomic by technological advances, more efficient and cost-effective processes or entirely different approaches developed by one or more of our competitors or others. Moreover, if the demand for renewable energy increases, new companies may enter the market, and the influx of added competition could pose an increased risk to us.
In the LFG industry, we believe our primary competitors are other LFG companies with existing projects and landfill owners that either operate their own LFG projects or may do so in the future. We compete with these companies to acquire gas rights for project development, or, in some cases, to renew or extend existing gas rights agreements for existing LFG projects. Increased competition for such projects may increase the price we pay for gas rights, the acquisition costs for existing projects or the royalties we have to pay landfill owners, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We may also find ourselves competing more frequently with landfill owners to the extent they decide to develop their own LFG projects, which would also reduce the number of opportunities for us to develop new LFG projects. We also compete with other RNG developers for long-term fixed price off-take agreements with existing and potential buyers of RNG.
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Our renewable energy projects may not produce expected levels of output, and the amount of LFG actually produced at each of our projects will vary over time and, when a landfill closes, eventually decline.
Landfills contain organic material whose decomposition causes the generation of gas consisting primarily of methane, which LFG projects use to generate RNG or renewable electricity, and carbon dioxide. The estimation of LFG production volume is an inexact process and dependent on many site-specific conditions, including the estimated annual waste volume, composition of waste, regional climate and the capacity and construction of the landfill. Production levels are subject to a number of additional risks, including a failure or wearing out of our or our landfill owners’ or operators’, customers’ or utilities’ equipment; an inability to find suitable replacement equipment or parts; lower than expected supply or quality of the project’s source of biogas and faster than expected diminishment of such biogas supply; or volume disruption in our fuel supply collection system. As a result, the amount of LFG actually produced by the landfill sites from which our production facilities collect LFG or the volume of electricity or RNG generated from those sites may in the future vary from our initial estimates, and those variations may be material. In addition, Aria has in the past, and we may in the future, incur material asset impairment charges if any of our renewable energy projects incurs operational issues that indicate our expected future cash flows from the project are less than the project’s carrying value. Any similar impairment charges in the future could adversely affect our operating results in the period in which the charge is recorded.
As of December 31, 2021, three of our projects are located on closed landfills. Of the remaining landfills for which we have gas rights, based upon the current permits (which are eligible to receive extensions to accept waste for additional time periods), one is currently expected to close within the next three years and another 12 are currently expected to close within the next ten years. If we do not develop or acquire projects attached to open or expanding landfills, the total amount of LFG available to operate our projects would decline over time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, in order to maximize collection of LFG, we will need to take, or work with landfill owners to implement, various measures, such as drilling additional gas wells in the landfill to increase LFG collection, balancing the pressure on the gas field based on the data collected by the landfill operator from the gas wells to ensure optimum LFG utilization and ensuring that we match availability of engines and related equipment to availability of LFG. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to take all necessary measures to maximize collection. In addition, the LFG available to our projects is dependent in part on the actions of other persons, such as landfill operators. We may not be able to ensure the responsible management of the landfill site by owners and operators, which may result in less than optimal gas generation or increase the likelihood of “hot spots” occurring. Hot spots can temporarily reduce the volume of gas which may be collected from a landfill site, resulting in a lower gas yield. Other events that can result in a reduction in LFG output include: extreme hot or cold temperatures or excessive rainfall; liquid levels within a landfill increasing; oxidation within a landfill, which can kill the anaerobic microbes that produce LFG; and the buildup of sludge. The occurrence of these or any other changes within any of the landfills where our production facilities operate could lead to a reduction in the amount of LFG being available to operate our production facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our facilities are newly constructed, are under construction, or are in development and may not perform as we expect.
Our largest RNG production facility, Assai, recently commenced commercial operations in December 2021, and we have a number of projects under construction that are expected to begin production over the next 24 months. In addition, we expect to install our first project utilizing our Archaea V1 plant in the second half of this year and we anticipate that all of our new build projects in 2022 and those in our forward development plan will implement the Archaea V1 plant design. Therefore, our expectations of the operating performance of these facilities are based on assumptions and estimates made without the benefit of operating history. Our expectations with respect to our new and developing projects, and related estimates and assumptions, are based on limited operating history. These facilities also include digesters under development for which we have no operating history as of December 31, 2021.
Our Archaea V1 plant design utilizes a standardized and modularized plant design, which we believe will enable us to reduce project development and construction time while simultaneously lowering project development costs, and we have planned our financial model, including our 2022 capital budget, based on these reduced cost expectations. If we are unsuccessful in implementing our Archaea V1 plant design or if we experience design or manufacturing defects or other failures of future plant builds as result of installing Archaea V1 plant designs, we could incur significant manufacturing and re-engineering costs. In addition, if implementing our Archaea V1 plant design does not achieve the cost reductions expected, it may harm our future profitability. Moreover, the ability of these facilities, including the facilities that will be
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built with the Archaea V1 plant design, to meet our performance expectations is subject to the risks inherent in newly constructed RNG production facilities and the construction of such facilities, including delays or problems in construction, degradation of equipment in excess of our expectations, system failures, and outages. The failure of these facilities to perform as we expect could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We currently own, and in the future may acquire, certain assets through joint ventures. As operating partner for some of our joint venture projects, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk, and as non-operating partner for other joint venture projects, we have limited control over management decisions and our interests in such assets may be subject to transfer or other related restrictions.
We own, and in the future may acquire, certain operating or development projects in joint ventures. Our current joint venture projects include our Sunshine Canyon and Mavrix, LLC (“Mavrix”) projects and Saturn Renewables, LLC. We are the operating partner for some of these projects while our joint venture partner is the operating partner in others. As the operating partner for some of our joint venture projects, we pay joint venture expenses and make cash calls on non-operating partners for their respective shares of joint venture costs. These projects are capital intensive and, in some cases, a non-operating partner may experience a delay in obtaining financing for its share of the joint venture costs or have liquidity problems resulting in slow payment of joint venture costs that can result in potential delays in our development projects. In addition, our joint venture partners may not be as creditworthy as we are and may experience credit rating downgrades or liquidity problems that may hinder their ability to obtain financing. Counterparty liquidity problems could result in a delay in receiving proceeds from reimbursement of joint venture costs. Nonperformance by a joint venture partner could result in significant financial losses.
Our ability to control joint ventures for which we are not the operating partner is limited by provisions of the agreements we have entered into with our joint venture partners and by our ownership percentage in such joint ventures. In the future, we may invest in other projects with additional joint venture partners. Joint ventures inherently involve a lesser degree of control over business operations, which could result in an increase in the financial, legal, operational or compliance risks associated with a project, including, but not limited to, variances in accounting internal control requirements. Our co-venture partners may not have the level of experience, technical expertise, human resources management and other attributes necessary to operate these assets optimally. To the extent we do not operate or have a controlling interest in a project, our joint venture partners could take actions that decrease the value of our investment and lower our overall return. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise in the future between our company and our stockholders, on the one hand, and our joint venture partners, on the other hand, where our joint venture partners’ business interests are inconsistent with our and our stockholders’ interests. Further, disagreements or disputes between us and our joint venture partners could result in litigation, which could increase our expenses and potentially limit the time and effort our officers and directors are able to devote to our business, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The approval of our joint venture partners also may be required for us to receive distributions of funds from assets or to sell, pledge, transfer, assign or otherwise convey our interest in such assets. Alternatively, our joint venture partners may have rights of first refusal or rights of first offer in the event of a proposed sale or transfer of our interests in such assets. These restrictions may limit the price or interest level for our interests in such assets, in the event we want to sell such interests.
Increased rates of recycling and legislation encouraging recycling, increased use of waste incineration, increased rates of organic waste diversion, advances in waste disposal technology and decreases in the gross domestic product of the United States could decrease the availability or change the composition of waste for LFG.
The volume and composition of LFG produced at open landfill sites depends in part on the volume and composition of waste sent to such landfill sites, which could be affected by a number of factors. For example, increased rates of recycling or increased use of waste incineration could decrease the volume of waste sent to landfills, while organics diversion strategies such as composting can reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. There have been numerous federal and state regulations and initiatives over the years that have led to higher levels of recycling of paper, glass, plastics, metal and other recyclables, and there are growing discussions at various levels of government about developing new strategies to minimize the negative environmental impacts of landfills and related emissions, including diversion of biodegradable waste from landfills. Although many recyclable materials other than paper do not decompose and therefore do not ultimately contribute to the amount of LFG produced at a landfill site, it is too early to conclude definitively what impact recycling and other similar efforts will have on the volume and proportion of biodegradable waste sent to landfill sites across the United States.
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In addition, research and development activities are ongoing to provide alternative and more efficient technologies to dispose of waste, to produce by-products from waste and to produce energy, and an increasing amount of capital is being invested to find new approaches to waste disposal, waste treatment and energy generation. It is possible that this deployment of capital may lead to advances which will adversely affect our sources of LFG or provide new or alternative methods of waste disposal or energy generation that become more accepted, or more attractive, than landfills.
Increased rates of recycling, legislation encouraging recycling, increased use of waste incineration, advancements in waste disposal technology, organics diversion, or an economic downturn in the United States, for any reason, could impact the volume and composition of waste produced in the United States and, as a consequence, the volume and composition of waste sent to landfill sites from which our projects collect LFG, which could adversely affect our business operations, prospects, financial condition and operational results.
We are dependent on contractual arrangements with, and the cooperation of, landfill site owners and operators for access to and operations on their sites.
We do not own any of the landfill sites from which our projects collect LFG or on which we operate and manage projects owned by landfill owners, and therefore we depend on contractual relationships with, and the cooperation of, the landfill site owners and operators for our operations. The invalidity of, or any default or termination under, any of our leases and licenses may interfere with our ability to use and operate all or a portion of certain of our production facilities, or to develop and construct future production facilities, which may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We obtain gas rights to the landfills on which our projects operate, with some of these gas rights being evergreen and others having fixed terms. Excluding our O&M projects owned by third parties, the gas rights associated with our 29 operating production facilities that are not evergreen are due to expire at varying points over the next 23 years, with gas rights to 5 landfills due to expire by the end of 2031. While we have historically been successful in renewing gas rights as they expire on favorable terms, we have sometimes had to pay increased royalty payments in connection with renewals of gas rights to reflect then-current market terms. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew any gas rights that expire in the future on commercial terms that are attractive to us or at all, and any failure to do so, or any other disruption in the relationship with any of the landfill operators from whose landfill sites our projects obtain LFG or for whom we operate LFG facilities, may have a material adverse effect on our business operations, prospects, financial condition and operational results.
In addition, the ownership interests in the land subject to these easements, leases and rights-of-way may be subject to mortgages securing loans or other liens (such as tax liens) and other easements, lease rights and rights-of-way of third parties (such as leases of oil or mineral rights) that were created prior to our projects’ easements, leases and rights-of-way. As a result, certain of our projects’ rights under these easements, leases or rights-of-way may be subject, and subordinate, to the rights of those third parties. We may not be able to protect our operating projects against all risks of loss of our rights to use the land on which our projects are located, and any such loss or curtailment of our rights to use the land on which our projects are located and any increase in rent due on such lands could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our gas rights and off-take agreements are subject to certain conditions. A failure to satisfy those conditions could result in the loss of gas rights or the termination of an off-take agreement.
Our gas rights agreements generally require that we achieve commercial operations for a project as of a specified date. The agreements with respect to the projects in our greenfield development backlog have remaining terms of approximately one to three years. If we do not satisfy such deadline, the agreement may be terminated at the option of the landfill without any reimbursement of any portion of the purchase price paid for the gas rights, if applicable, or any other amounts we have invested in the project. Delays in construction or delivery of engines and other equipment may result in our failing to meet the commercial operations deadline in a gas rights agreement. Additionally, the denial or loss of a permit essential to a project could impair our ability to construct or operate a project as required under the related gas rights agreement. Delays in the review and permitting process for a project can also impair or delay our ability to construct or acquire a project and satisfy any commercial operations deadlines, or increase the cost such that the project is no longer attractive to us.
Likewise, certain of our off-take agreements have required us to achieve commercial operations for specific projects or provide a certain amount of RNG production from our portfolio as of a specified date, and off-take agreements we enter into in the future may have similar requirements. Failure to achieve such deadlines could result in the loss of such an off-take agreement.
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Any issues with our production at the corresponding projects, including due to weather, unplanned outages or transmission problems, to the extent not caused by the landfill or covered by force majeure provisions in the gas rights agreement, could result in the loss of these gas rights. Our gas rights agreements often grant us the right to build additional generation capacity in the event of increased LFG supply, but failure to use such increased supply after a prescribed period of time can result in the loss of the rights to the unused LFG.
Our gas rights agreements provide that our projects must be operated in compliance with laws and regulations. If our facility causes the landfill to be out of compliance with their permits, we will be obligated to correct the issue or our rights to the LFG can be terminated. Additionally, we may acquire gas rights but later determine that developing or continuing to operate a project is not economically desirable, and we may cease development or operations and thereby lose control of such gas rights. Any loss of gas rights associated with any potential future or existing project could impede our ability to execute our growth strategy and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Finally, certain of the gas rights agreements and off-take agreements for projects in our portfolio and that we may acquire in the future allow or may allow the landfill owner or off-take counterparty to acquire or otherwise purchase a portion or all of the applicable project facilities from us. Any such sale of a project facility could have an adverse effect on our results of operations if we are unable to locate and acquire suitable replacement projects in a timely fashion.
Our projects face operational challenges customary to the energy industry. An unexpected reduction in energy production at any of our projects may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and could adversely affect the associated off-take agreement.
The ongoing operation of our facilities involves risks that include the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes or performance below expected levels of output or efficiency due to normal wear and tear of our equipment, latent defects, design or operator errors or force majeure events, among other factors. Operation of our facilities also involves risks that we will be unable to transport our product to our customers in an efficient manner due to a lack of transmission capacity or other problems with third party interconnection and transmission facilities. Unplanned outages of equipment, including extensions of scheduled outages due to mechanical failures or other problems, occur from time to time and are an inherent risk of our business. Unplanned outages typically increase our operation and maintenance expenses and may reduce our revenue or require us to incur significant costs as a result of obtaining replacement energy from third parties in the open market to satisfy our energy sales obligations. Landfill owners and operators can also impact our energy generation if in the course of ongoing operations they damage the landfill’s gas collection systems. Our energy generation can also be impacted if, in the course of ongoing operations, the landfill site owners and operators, including Archaea, damage the landfill’s gas collection systems or other equipment. Our inability to operate our facilities efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs, and generate earnings and cash flow could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are generally also required under our off-take agreements to deliver a minimum quantity of the applicable energy products to the counterparty. Unless we can rely on a force majeure provision in the related off-take agreement, falling below such a threshold could require us to compensate our counterparty for the energy or Environmental Attribute deficiency for our counterparty in the open market or could result in a reduced rate to be paid for the energy we deliver in the future until any subsequent price reset date in the agreement or permanently, as well as possibly allowing the counterparty to terminate the agreement and subject us to certain termination payments. A reduction in energy production or the loss of an off-take agreement may also result in a project having its permit revoked, which in turn could result in the loss of the related gas rights. Likewise, the denial or loss of a permit essential to a project could impede our ability to satisfy any energy production requirements which we may be subject to under an off-take agreement. Thus, any unexpected reduction in output at any of our projects that leads to any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and acquisitions. It could also expose us to the risk of increased interest rates and limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry.
As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $352.0 million of outstanding indebtedness, including $218.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan (as defined below) and $133.4 million outstanding on our Assai Notes (as defined below), and also had $235.8 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolver (as defined below) that we
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may draw upon in the future, thereby increasing our outstanding indebtedness. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences, including, for example:
being required to accept then-prevailing market terms in connection with any required refinancing of such indebtedness, which may be less favorable than existing terms;
failure to refinance, or to comply with the covenants in the agreements governing, these obligations could result in an event of default under those agreements, which could be difficult to cure or result in our bankruptcy;
our debt service obligations require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing the funds available to us and our ability to borrow to operate and grow our business;
our limited financial flexibility could reduce our ability to plan for and react to unexpected opportunities; and
our substantial debt service obligations make us vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, credit and capital markets, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation and place us at a disadvantage compared with competitors with less debt.
Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we do not comply with our obligations under our debt instruments, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, borrow additional amounts or sell securities, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all. In addition, increases in interest rates and changes in debt covenants may reduce the amounts that we can borrow, reduce our cash flows and increase the equity investment we may be required to make to complete construction of our LFG projects. These changes could cause some of our projects to become economically unattractive. Additionally, if we are unable to raise additional capital or generate sufficient operating cash flow to repay our indebtedness, we could be in default under our lending agreements and could be required to delay construction of new projects, reduce overhead costs, reduce the scope of our projects or abandon or sell some or all of our projects, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In connection with certain project development opportunities, we have utilized project-level financing in the past and may need to do so again in the future; however, we may unable to obtain such financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The agreements governing such financings typically contain financial and other restrictive covenants that limit a project subsidiary’s ability to make distributions to its parent or otherwise engage in activities that may be in its long-term best interests. Project-level financing agreements generally prohibit distributions from the project entities to us unless certain specific conditions are met, including the satisfaction of certain financial ratios or a facility achieving commercial operations. Our inability to comply with such covenants may prevent cash distributions by the particular project(s) to us and could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment or enforce their security interests, which could result in a loss of project assets and/or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We and our subsidiaries will be able to incur more indebtedness. This could further exacerbate the risks described above, including our ability to service our existing indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although our Revolver, Term Loan and Assai Notes contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, such restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and under certain circumstances indebtedness incurred in compliance with such restrictions could be substantial. For example, we may incur additional debt to, among other things, finance future acquisitions of businesses, assets or biogas rights, fund development of projects in our backlog, fund our working capital needs, comply with regulatory requirements, respond to competition or for general financial reasons alone. In certain instances, additional waivers or subordination agreements are required for the incurrence of additional debt. In addition, as of December 31, 2021, we had $235.8 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolver, which we may utilize in the future, thereby increasing our outstanding indebtedness. To the extent new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the risks described above would increase.
Existing regulations and policies, and future changes to these regulations and policies, may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the generation, purchase and use of renewable energy, and may adversely affect the market for credits associated with the production of renewable energy.
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The market for energy produced by renewable resources is influenced by U.S. federal, state and local government regulations and policies concerning such resources. These regulations and policies are continuously being modified, which could result in a significant future reduction in the potential demand for renewable energy, including Environmental Attributes and renewable energy project development and investments. Any new government regulations applicable to our renewable energy projects or markets for renewable energy may result in significant additional expenses or related development costs and, as a result, could cause a significant reduction in demand for our renewable energy. Failure to comply with such requirements could result in the disconnection and/or shutdown of the non-complying facility, our inability to sell RNG or renewable electricity from the non-complying facility, the default of any contracts that we have for the sales that were to be made from the non-complying facility, the imposition of liens, fines, refunds and interest, and/or civil or criminal liability.
The EPA annually sets proposed RVOs for D3 RINs in accordance with the mandates established by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (“EISA”). The EPA’s issuance of timely and sufficient annual RVOs to accommodate the RNG industry’s growing production levels is necessary to stabilize the RIN market. There can be no assurance that the EPA will timely set annual RVOs or that the RVOs will continue to increase or satisfy the growing RNG market. The EPA may set RVOs inaccurately or inconsistently under current law, and the manner in which the EPA sets RVOs may change under legislative or regulatory revisions. The current authorization for the EPA’s issuance of RVOs will expire beginning in 2023, and the EPA may issue RVOs under a modified system that has yet to be developed, which creates additional uncertainty as to RIN pricing. Uncertainty as to how the RFS program will continue to be administered and supported by the EPA under the current administration has created price volatility in the RIN market. While this volatility has resulted in significantly higher prices for RINs than in previous years, we cannot assure you that we will be able to monetize the RINs we generate at the same price levels as we have in the past, that production shortfalls will not impact our ability to monetize RINs at favorable current pricing, and that the rising price environment will continue. For example, in December 2021, the EPA proposed to modify the 2021 and 2022 volume targets for renewable fuels and, in light of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, to retroactively reduce the targets for 2020. We cannot predict the impact of such modifications, but any reduction in RVOs may decrease demand for RINs and, thus, may adversely impact our financial condition or results of operations.
On the state level, the economics of RNG are enhanced by low-carbon fuel initiatives, particularly well-established programs in California and Oregon, a program in Washington expected to begin in 2023 or 2024, and several other states also actively considering LCFS initiatives similar to those in California and Oregon. LCFS regulations are aimed at reducing CI of transportation fuel sold and purchased in the applicable state. A CI score is calculated as grams of CO2-equivalent per megajoule of energy of the fuel. The CI score is dependent upon a full lifecycle analysis that evaluates the GHG emissions associated with producing, transporting, and consuming the fuel. LCFS credits can be generated in three ways: (i) fuel pathway crediting that provides low carbon fuels used in California transportation; (ii) project-based crediting that reduces GHG emissions in the petroleum supply chain; and (iii) zero emission vehicle crediting that supports the buildout of infrastructure. Credits are awarded to RNG projects based on each project’s CI score relative to the targeted CI score for both gasoline and diesel fuels. The number of monetizable LCFS credits per unit of fuel increases with a lower CI score. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain or reduce our CI score to monetize LCFS credits at favorable current pricing. Moreover, the inability to sell LCFS credits could adversely affect our business. As with the market for transportation fuels, the regulatory environment for electric generation has undergone significant changes in the last several years due to state and federal policies affecting wholesale competition and the creation of incentives for the addition of large amounts of new renewable generation and, in some cases, transmission assets. These changes are ongoing and we cannot predict the future design of the wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that the changing regulatory environment will have on our business. Our ability to generate revenue from sales of Environmental Attributes depends on our strict compliance with these federal and state programs, which are complex and can involve a significant degree of judgment. If the agencies that administer and enforce these programs disagree with our judgments, otherwise determine that we are not in compliance, conduct reviews of our activities or make changes to the programs, then our ability to generate or sell these credits could be temporarily restricted pending completion of reviews or as a penalty, permanently limited or lost entirely, and we could also be subject to fines or other sanctions. Moreover, the inability to sell Environmental Attributes could adversely affect our business.
All of our current electric generating facilities are QFs. We are permitted by FERC to make wholesale sales (that is, sales for resale) of electricity from a QF with a net generating capacity that does not exceed 20 MW without obtaining MBR authority or any other approval from FERC. A QF typically may not use any fuel other than a FERC-approved alternative fuel, but for limited use of commercial-grade fuel for certain specified start-up, emergency and reliability purposes. We are required to document the QF status of each of our facilities in applications or self-certifications filed with FERC, which
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typically requires disclosure of upstream facility ownership, fuel and size characteristics, power sales, interconnection matters, and related technical disclosures.
Eligibility for MBR authority is predicated on a variety of factors, primarily including the overall market power that the power seller — together with all of its FERC-defined “affiliates” — has in the relevant market. FERC defines affiliates as entities with a common parent that owns, directly or indirectly, 10 percent or more of the voting securities in the two entities. Accordingly, our eligibility and the eligibility of our affiliates to obtain and maintain MBR authority requires an evaluation of the energy assets owned directly or indirectly by us and each of our affiliates, satisfying market-power limitations established by FERC. Certain QFs that we own, and one of our other subsidiaries, hold MBR authority. We may not be able to sell any interest in any of these businesses or facilities absent a prior FERC application and approval process. This may make it more difficult and time-consuming for us to liquidate some of our interests, which could affect our ability to raise cash from our current project portfolio.
The FERC’s orders that grant such wholesale sellers MBR authority reserve the right to revoke or revise that authority if the FERC subsequently determines that the seller can exercise market power in transmission or generation, create barriers to entry, or engage in abusive affiliate transactions. In addition, public utilities are subject to FERC reporting requirements that impose administrative burdens and that, if violated, can expose the company to criminal and civil penalties or other risks.
Our market-based sales are subject to certain market behavior rules established by FERC, and if any of our generating companies are deemed to have violated those rules, we will be subject to potential disgorgement of profits associated with the violation, penalties, refunds of unlawfully collected amounts with interest, suspension or revocation of MBR authority. If such generating companies were to lose their MBR authority, they would be required to obtain the FERC’s acceptance of a cost-of-service rate schedule and could become subject to the significant accounting, record-keeping, and reporting requirements that are typically imposed on vertically-integrated utilities with cost-based rate schedules. This could have a material adverse effect on the rates we are able to charge for Power from our facilities.
ISOs and RTOs determine market design, market rules, tariffs, cost allocations and bidding rules for the regional power markets that they operate, and our projects that sell electricity into such markets are subject to these frequently changing regulatory regimes that vary across jurisdictions.
The wholesale sales of electricity that are made by our QFs and other affiliates with MBR authority are subject to FERC regulation. Retail power sales (i.e., sales of electricity to direct end-users) are subject to state utility laws and state utility commission regulations that differ greatly from state to state.
With the exception of the ERCOT, each of the ISOs and RTOs (in New England, New York, the Mid-Atlantic region, the Midwest, the Southwest and California) operate wholesale power markets pursuant to rules set forth in tariffs that must be filed with and accepted by FERC. We currently do not own any QFs within the ERCOT region of Texas. The tariffs adopted by these ISOs and RTOs establish wholesale market rules, including with respect to market clearing practices, pricing rules, and eligibility requirements for market participation. We have no ability to control the price-setting, market-design and other activities and requirements of the ISOs and RTOs except through participation in stakeholder proceedings within such ISOs and RTOs and in proceedings before FERC relating to revisions of tariffs filed with, or rules established by FERC. The types of price limitations and other regulatory mechanisms that the ISOs and RTOs impose may have a material adverse effect on the profitability of our current owned Power projects or any Power projects we may acquire in the future that sell electricity into such markets. FERC regulations affecting wholesale power sales, and ISO and RTO rules, tariffs and practices are generally beyond our control, and can change frequently. If we enter a new jurisdiction, we will be subject to additional regulatory requirements with which we may not yet have direct experience. The lack of uniformity of regulatory and business practices, the possibility that requirements and practices will change, and the difficulties we may face in entering new markets with which we are unfamiliar could affect our financial performance in existing and new markets, which could affect our business and results of operations.
The financial performance of our business depends upon tax and other governmental incentives for renewable energy generation, any of which could change at any time and such changes may negatively impact our growth strategy.
Our financial performance and growth strategy depend in part on government policies that support renewable generation and enhance the economic viability of owning RNG or renewable electric assets. Renewable generation assets currently benefit from various federal, provincial, state and local governmental incentives such as investment tax credits, cash grants in lieu of investment tax credits, loan guarantees, RPS programs, modified accelerated cost-recovery system of depreciation
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and bonus depreciation. RNG specifically generates meaningful revenue through existing Environmental Attributes provided for under several different programs, most commonly, RFS, LCFS, and RPS.
Many states have adopted RPS programs mandating that a specified percentage of electricity sales come from eligible sources of renewable energy. However, the regulations that govern the RPS programs, including pricing incentives for renewable energy, characterization of various energy sources as renewable, or reasonableness guidelines for pricing that increase valuation compared to conventional power (such as a projected value for carbon reduction or consideration of avoided integration costs), may change. Additionally, several jurisdictions are expected to reach their current RPS targets within the next several years. If the RPS requirements are not increased, it could lead to fewer future power contracts or lead to lower prices for the sale of power in future power contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our future growth prospects. Such material adverse effects may result from decreased revenues, reduced economic returns on certain project company investments, increased financing costs, and/or difficulty obtaining financing.
If we are unable to utilize various federal, state and local government incentives to acquire additional renewable assets in the future, or the terms of such incentives are revised in a manner that is less favorable to us, we may suffer a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes to applicable tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our business and future profitability.
We are subject to various complex and evolving U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. taxes. U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws, policies, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified or applied adversely to us, in each case, possibly with retroactive effect, and may have an adverse effect on our business and future profitability. For example, several tax proposals have been set forth that would, if enacted, make significant changes to U.S. tax laws. Such proposals include an increase in the U.S. income tax rate applicable to corporations (such as us) from 21%, the imposition of a minimum tax on book income for certain corporations, the imposition of an excise tax on certain corporate stock repurchases that would be borne by the corporation repurchasing such stock, and significant changes to certain renewable energy-related tax incentives. The U.S. Congress may consider, and could include, some or all of these proposals in connection with tax reform that may be undertaken. It is unclear whether these or similar changes will be enacted and, if enacted, how soon any such changes could take effect. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals and other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect our business and future profitability.
We rely on interconnection and transmission facilities that we do not own or control and that are subject to transmission constraints within a number of our regions. If these facilities fail to provide us with adequate transmission capacity or have unplanned disruptions, we may be restricted in our ability to deliver electric power and RNG to our customers and we may either incur additional costs or forego revenues.
We depend on electric interconnection and transmission facilities and gas pipelines owned and operated by others to deliver the energy we generate at our projects to our customers. Some of our electric generating projects may need to hold electric transmission rights in order to sell power to purchasers that do not have their own direct access to our generators. Our access to electric interconnection and transmission rights is subject to tariffs developed by transmission owners, ISOs and RTOs, which have been filed with and accepted by FERC. These tariffs establish the price for transmission service, and the terms under which transmission service is rendered. Under FERC’s open access transmission rules, tariffs developed and implemented by transmission owners, ISOs and RTOs must establish terms and conditions for obtaining interconnection and transmission services that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential. However, as a generator and seller of power, we do not have any automatic right, in any geographic market, to firm, long-term, grid-wide transmission service without first requesting such service, funding the construction of any upgrades necessary to provide such service, and paying a transmission service rate. Physical constraints on the transmission system could limit the ability of our electric generating projects to dispatch their power output and receive revenue from power sales.
A failure or delay in the operation or development of these distribution channels or a significant increase in the costs charged by their owners and operators could result in the loss of revenues. Such failures or delays could limit the amount of energy our operating facilities deliver or delay the completion of our construction projects, which may also result in adverse consequences under our gas rights agreements and off-take agreements. Additionally, such failures, delays or increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If a region’s energy transmission infrastructure is inadequate, our recovery of wholesale costs and profits may be limited. In addition, except for transmission projects that have been identified by ISOs and RTOs in publicly-available studies, or in
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response to requests for interconnection or transmission service, we cannot predict whether or when transmission facilities will be expanded in specific markets to accommodate requests for interconnection or transmission service within those markets. As a general rule, the transmitting utilities to which our electric generating projects are interconnected are entitled to recover from us all of the direct and indirect costs that our electric facilities may create. As a result, we are responsible for building and funding interconnection and related transmission network upgrade facilities to accommodate requests for interconnection and transmission services. Our development and acquisition of new electric generating projects is affected by these costs.
Operation of LFG facilities involves significant risks and hazards customary to the energy industry. We may not have adequate insurance to cover these risks and hazards, or other risks that are beyond our control.
Energy generation involves hazardous activities, including acquiring and transporting fuel, operating large pieces of rotating equipment, maintenance and operation of landfill site gas collection systems, and delivering our RNG and renewable electricity to interconnection and transmission systems, including gas pipelines that we own and operate. Hazards such as fire, explosion, structural collapse and machinery failure are inherent risks in our operations. These and other hazards can cause significant personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, plant and equipment and contamination of, or damage to, the environment. The occurrence of any one of these events may result in curtailment of our operations or liability to third parties for damages, environmental cleanup costs, personal injury, property damage and fines and/or penalties, any of which could be substantial. For example, an engine fire at Aria's Chautauqua project, which was divested prior to the Business Combinations, resulted in damage to the facility that resulted in damage to engines that required repair.
Our facilities or those that we otherwise acquire, construct or operate may be targets of terrorist activities, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with them, that could result in full or partial disruption of the facilities’ ability to generate, transmit, transport or distribute electricity or RNG. Strategic targets, such as energy-related facilities, may be at greater risk of future terrorist activities than other domestic targets. Hostile cyber intrusions, including those targeting information systems as well as electronic control systems used at the generating plants and for the related distribution systems, could severely disrupt business operations and result in loss of service to customers, as well as create significant expense to repair security breaches or system damage.
Furthermore, certain of our facilities are located in areas prone to tornadoes in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kansas, and certain of our other projects and suppliers conduct their operations in other locations that are susceptible to natural disasters. The frequency of weather-related natural disasters may be increasing due to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions or related climate change effects. The occurrence of a natural disaster, such as tornados, earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires or localized extended outages of critical utilities or transportation systems, or any critical resource shortages, affecting us could cause a significant interruption in our business or damage or destroy our facilities.
We rely on warranties from vendors and obligate contractors to meet certain performance levels, but the proceeds of such warranties or performance guarantees may not cover our lost revenues, increased expenses or liquidated damages payments should we experience equipment breakdown or non-performance by contractors or vendors. We also maintain an amount of insurance protection that we consider adequate to protect against these and other risks but we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which we may be subject. Also, our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles, caps, exclusions and other limitations. A loss for which we are not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Because of rising insurance costs and changes in the insurance markets, we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage will continue to be available at all or at rates or on terms similar to those presently available. Our insurance policies are subject to annual review by our insurers and may not be renewed on similar or favorable terms or at all. Any losses not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our operations, as well as those of our feedstock suppliers, are subject to numerous stringent environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.
Our operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local EHS laws and regulations, including those relating to the release, emission or discharge of materials into the air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, the health and safety of our employees and other persons, and the generation of Environmental Attributes.
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These laws and regulations impose numerous obligations applicable to our operations, including the acquisition of permits before construction and operation of our projects; the restriction of types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment; the limitation or prohibition of our activities on or near certain protected areas; the application of specific health and safety criteria addressing worker protection; and the imposition of substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from the operation of our projects and the ownership of the applicable sites. In addition, construction and operating permits issued pursuant to environmental laws are necessary to operate our business. Such permits are obtained through applications that require considerable technical documentation and analysis, and sometimes require long time periods. Delays in obtaining or renewing such permits, or denial of such permits and renewals, are possible, and would have a negative effect on our financial performance and prospects for growth. These laws, regulations and permits can require expensive pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit actual or potential impacts to the environment. Our feedstock suppliers are also subject to various environmental regulations, which may require them to take actions that may, in certain situations, adversely impact our operations.
Numerous governmental entities have the power to enforce difficult and costly compliance measures or corrective actions pursuant to these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them. We may be required to make significant capital and operating expenditures on an ongoing basis, or to perform remedial or other corrective actions in connection with our projects, to comply with the requirements of these environmental laws and regulations or the terms or conditions of our permits. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil or criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations, and the issuance of orders limiting or prohibiting some or all of our operations. In addition, we may experience delays in obtaining or be unable to obtain required environmental regulatory permits or approvals, which may delay or interrupt our operations and limit our growth and revenue.
Our operations inherently risk incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities due to the need to manage waste from our processing facilities. Spills or other releases of regulated substances, including spills and releases that occur in the future, could expose us to material losses, expenditures and liabilities under applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations. Under certain of such laws and regulations, we could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination, regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or contamination and even if our operations met previous standards in the industry at the time they were conducted. In connection with certain acquisitions, we could acquire, or be required to provide indemnification against, environmental liabilities that could expose us to material losses. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the EHS impacts of our operations. Our insurance may not cover all environmental risks and costs or may not provide sufficient coverage if an environmental claim is made against us.
Environmental laws and regulations have changed rapidly in recent years and generally have become more stringent over time, and we expect this trend to continue. The most material of these changes relate to the control of air emissions from the combustion equipment we use to generate electricity from LFG. Such equipment, including internal combustion engines, are subject to stringent federal and state permitting and air emissions requirements. California has taken an aggressive approach to setting standards for engine emissions, and standards have been discussed that would be too high for us to be able to operate our equipment in that state. If California were to enact such standards or other states were to follow its lead, we could face challenges in maintaining our operations in such jurisdictions.
Continued government and public emphasis on environmental issues can be expected to result in increased future investments in environmental controls at our plants. Present and future environmental laws and regulations, and interpretations of those laws and regulations, applicable to our operations, more vigorous enforcement policies and discovery of currently unknown conditions may require substantial expenditures that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In January 2021, the current administration signed multiple executive orders related to the climate and environment. These executive orders direct federal agencies to review and reverse more than one-hundred actions taken by the prior administration on the environment, and establish various other climate-related initiatives, including a goal of a 50% to 52% reduction in economy-wide net GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of any of these executive actions on our operations.
Our operations are subject to a series of risks related to climate change.
While renewable energy projects are typically seen as having a greater resilience against certain risks associated with climate change, our projects are still exposed to physical climate impacts. Climate change may increase the frequency or intensity of adverse weather conditions, such as tropical cyclones, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, floods, or ice storms, which may result in damage to our assets or to assets required for electricity transmission, affect the availability
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of water for the production of hydrogen (to the extent we pursue such projects in the future), or otherwise adversely impact our operations.
Climate change may also have a long-term effect on certain meteorological or hydrological patterns, which may result in changes in extreme temperatures, which may adversely impact demand for our products or services, require us to incur additional costs, or otherwise adversely impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Additionally, the combustion of RNG results in the production of GHG emissions. While the combustion of RNG displaces the use of natural gas from fossil sources and results in less CO2-equivalent emissions than allowing the produced methane from landfills and other sources of biogas to escape into the atmosphere, we may not be able to claim this reduction against our emissions for all of our projects. Therefore, our business may still result in significant GHG emissions, and we may be subject to regulatory requirements, reputational impacts, or other risks associated with such emissions. While we may consider programs, including but not limited to carbon capture and sequestration and generation of on-site power from solar, to reduce such emissions to improve our competitiveness or environmental profile, we cannot guarantee that we will implement all programs considered.
Increased attention to environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) matters may adversely impact our business.
Increased attention to climate change, circular economy, and other ESG matters, as well as investor and societal expectations regarding voluntary ESG disclosures and consumer expectations regarding sustainability may result in increased costs, reduced demand for our products, or other adverse impacts on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. For example, RNG faces competition from several other low-carbon energy technologies, such as solar or wind energy production, among others. Regulatory bodies may adopt rules that substantially favor certain energy alternatives over others, which may not always include RNG. Additionally, energy generation from the combustion of RNG results in GHG emissions. As such, certain consumers may elect not to consider RNG for their renewable energy or other ESG goals.
Moreover, while we may create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters from time to time, many of the statements in those voluntary disclosures are based on hypothetical expectations and assumptions that may or may not be representative of current or actual risks or events or forecasts of expected risks or events, including the costs associated therewith. Such expectations and assumptions are necessarily uncertain and may be prone to error or subject to misinterpretation given the long timelines involved and the lack of an established single approach to identifying, measuring and reporting on many ESG matters.
In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings and activism around our operations could lead to negative investor sentiment toward us and the RNG industry and to the diversion of investment capital to other industries, which could have a negative impact on our stock price and our access to and costs of capital. Also, certain institutional lenders may decide not to provide funding to us based on ESG concerns, which could adversely affect our operations, financial condition and access to capital for potential growth projects.
Liabilities and costs associated with hazardous materials and contamination and other environmental conditions may require us to conduct investigations or remediation at the properties underlying our projects, may adversely impact the value of our projects or the underlying properties and may expose us to liabilities to third parties.
We may incur liabilities for the investigation and cleanup of any environmental contamination at the properties underlying or adjacent to our projects, or at off-site locations where we arrange for the disposal of hazardous substances or wastes. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and other federal, state and local laws, an owner or operator of a property may become liable for costs of investigation and remediation, and for damages to natural resources. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release of such hazardous substances or whether the conduct giving rise to the release was legal at the time when it occurred. In addition, liability under certain of these laws is joint and several, which means that we may be assigned liabilities for hazardous substance conditions that exceed our action contributions to the contamination conditions. We also may be subject to related claims by private parties alleging property damage and personal injury due to exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from those properties. We may incur substantial investigation costs, remediation costs or other damages, thus harming our business, financial condition and results of operations, as a result of the presence or release of hazardous substances at locations where we operate or as a result of our own operations.
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The presence of environmental contamination at a project may adversely affect an owner’s ability to sell such project or borrow funds using the project as collateral. To the extent that an owner of the real property underlying one of our projects becomes liable with respect to contamination at the real property, the ability of the owner to make payments to us may be adversely affected.
We may also face liabilities in cases of exposure to hazardous materials, and claims for such exposure can be brought by any third party, including workers, employees, contractors and the general public. Claims can be asserted by such persons relating to personal injury or property damage, and resolving such claims can be expensive and time consuming, even if there is little or no basis for the claim.
We have significant customer concentration, with a limited number of purchasers accounting for a substantial portion of our revenues.
Because our projects depend on sales of RNG, electricity, and Environmental Attributes to certain key purchasers, our projects are highly dependent upon these power purchasers fulfilling their contractual obligations under their respective PPAs or GSAs. Our projects’ purchasers may not comply with their contractual payment obligations or may become subject to insolvency or liquidation proceedings during the term of the relevant contracts and, in such event, we may not be able to find another purchaser on similar or favorable terms or at all. In addition, we are exposed to the creditworthiness of our purchasers and there is no guarantee that any purchaser will maintain its credit rating, if any. To the extent that any of our projects’ customers are, or are controlled by, governmental entities, such purchasers and our projects may be subject to legislative or other political action that may impair contractual performance. Failure by any key purchaser to meet its contractual commitments or the insolvency or liquidation of one or more of our purchasers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues and other income in 2021 and 2020.
The demand for RNG, Environmental Attributes and renewable electricity depends in part on mandates instituted voluntarily by our private-sector purchasers, which may change in the future in ways that negatively affect our business.
Various utilities and other purchasers of RNG and renewable electricity are required by law and regulatory mandate to include renewable energy in their systems or to reduce GHG emissions over time, driving demand for RNG and renewable electricity. In addition, some of our private-sector purchasers have voluntarily instituted renewable energy mandates or emissions targets that drive their demand for RNG. If current and potential purchasers of our RNG and renewable electricity are forced to adopt new policies or procedures, or voluntarily adopt new or modified policies, related to renewable energy procurement, we may not be able to renegotiate, renew or replace our off-take agreements with pricing at historical levels or at all, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
A failure of our information technology (“IT”) and data security infrastructure could adversely affect our business and operations.
We rely upon the capacity, reliability and security of our IT and data security infrastructure and our ability to expand and continually update this infrastructure in response to the changing needs of our business and cyber-security threat landscape. If we experience a problem with the functioning of an important IT system or a cyber-attack, security breach or unauthorized access to our IT systems, including during the implementation of IT system upgrades, enhancements or modifications, the resulting disruptions could adversely affect our business. As technologies evolve and cyber-attacks become increasingly sophisticated, we may also incur significant costs to modify, upgrade or enhance our security measures to protect against such cyber-attacks, and we may face difficulties in fully anticipating or implementing adequate security measures or mitigating potential harm. Moreover, we may not be able to anticipate, detect or prevent cyber-attacks or security breaches, particularly because the methodologies used by attackers change frequently or may not be recognized until such attack is launched, and because attackers are increasingly using technologies specifically designed to circumvent cyber-security measures and avoid detection.
We and some of our third-party vendors receive and store personal information in connection with our human resources operations and other aspects of our business. Despite the implementation of reasonable security measures, our IT systems, like those of other companies, are vulnerable to damage and interruption from computer viruses, natural disasters, fire, power loss, telecommunications failures, personnel misconduct, human error, unauthorized access, physical or electronic security breaches, cyber-attacks (including malicious and destructive code, phishing attacks, ransomware and denial of service attacks), and other similar disruptions generally beyond our control. Such cyber-attacks or security breaches may be
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perpetrated by bad actors internally or externally (including computer hackers, persons involved with organized crime, terrorists attacks, or foreign state or foreign state-supported actors). Additionally, the implementation of social distancing measures and other limitations on our employees, service providers and other third parties in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have necessitated in certain cases to switching to remote work arrangements on less secure systems and environments. The increase in companies and individuals working remotely has increased the risk of cyber-attacks and potential cyber-security incidents, both deliberate attacks and unintentional events. Any system failure, unauthorized access or security breach, both intentional or accidental, could result in material disruptions to our operations. A material network breach of our IT systems could also include theft of our trade secrets, customer information, human resources information or other confidential data, including but not limited to personally identifiable information. To the extent that any disruptions or security breaches result in a loss or damage to our data, or an inappropriate disclosure of our confidential, proprietary or customer information, it could cause significant damage to our reputation and our relationships with our customers and strategic partners which could impact our ability to secure new gas rights agreements and build projects at favorable costs, lead to claims against us from governmental authorities and private plaintiffs, and ultimately harm our business.
We are subject to laws, rules, regulations and policies regarding data privacy and security, and may be subject to additional related laws and regulations in jurisdictions in which we operate or expand. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and reinterpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of operations or other harm to our business.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws, directives, rules and policies relating to privacy and the collection, protection, use, retention, security, disclosure, transfer and other processing of personal data and other data. The regulatory framework for data privacy and security worldwide is continuously evolving and developing and, as a result, interpretation and implementation standards and enforcement practices are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. It is possible that these types of inquiries regarding cybersecurity breaches increase in frequency and scope. In addition, new laws, amendments to or reinterpretations of existing laws, regulations, standards and other obligations may require us to incur additional costs and restrict our business operations, and may require us to change how we use, collect, store, transfer or otherwise process certain types of personal information and to implement new processes to comply with those laws and our customers’ exercise of their rights thereunder. These laws also are not uniform, as certain laws may be more stringent or broader in scope, or offer greater individual rights, with respect to sensitive and personal information, and such laws may differ from each other, which may complicate compliance efforts. Compliance in the event of a widespread data breach may be costly. Any failure or perceived failure by us or our third-party service providers to comply with any applicable federal, state or similar foreign laws, rules, regulations, industry standards, policies, certifications or orders relating to data privacy and security, or any compromise of security that results in the theft, unauthorized access, acquisition, use, disclosure, or misappropriation of personal data or other customer data, could result in significant awards, fines, civil and/or criminal penalties or judgments, proceedings or litigation by governmental agencies or customers, including class action privacy litigation in certain jurisdictions and negative publicity and reputational harm, one or all of which could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure of third parties to manufacture quality products or provide reliable services in a timely manner could cause delays in developing, constructing, and operating our projects, which could damage our reputation, adversely affect our partner relationships or adversely affect our growth.
Our success depends on our ability to develop, construct, and operate projects in a timely manner, which depends in part on the ability of third parties to provide us with timely and reliable products and services. In developing, constructing, and operating our projects, we rely on products meeting our design specifications and components manufactured and supplied by third parties, and on services performed by subcontractors. We also rely on subcontractors to perform substantially all of the construction and installation work related to our projects, and we often need to engage subcontractors with whom we have no experience.
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If any of our subcontractors are unable to provide services that meet or exceed our customers’ expectations or satisfy our contractual commitments, our reputation, business and operating results could be harmed. In addition, if we are unable to avail ourselves of warranties and other contractual protections with providers of products and services, we may incur liability to our customers or additional costs related to the affected products and services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, any delays, malfunctions, inefficiencies or interruptions in these products or services could adversely affect the quality and performance of our projects and require considerable expense to find replacement products and to maintain and repair our projects. This could cause us to experience interruption in our production and distribution of renewable energy and generation of related Environmental Attributes, difficulty retaining current relationships and attracting new relationships, or harm our brand, reputation or growth.
Maintenance, expansion and refurbishment of LFG facilities involve significant risks that could result in unplanned outages or reduced output.
Our facilities may require periodic upgrading and improvement. Any unexpected operational or mechanical failure, including failure associated with breakdowns and forced outages, could reduce our facilities’ generating capacity below expected levels and reduce our revenue and cash flows. Unanticipated capital expenditures associated with maintaining, upgrading or repairing our facilities may also reduce profitability. If we make any major modifications to our facilities, such modifications could likely result in substantial additional capital expenditures. We may also choose to repower, refurbish or upgrade our facilities based on our assessment that such activity will provide adequate financial returns. Such facilities require time for development and capital expenditures before commencement of commercial operations, and key assumptions underpinning a decision to make such an investment may prove incorrect, including assumptions regarding construction costs, timing, available financing and future RNG and renewable electricity prices. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are subject to risks associated with litigation or administrative proceedings that could materially impact our operations, including potential future proceedings related to projects we subsequently acquire.
We are subject to risks and costs, including potential negative publicity, associated with lawsuits, in particular, with respect to environmental claims and lawsuits or claims contesting the construction or operation of our projects. The result of and costs associated with defending any such lawsuit, regardless of the merits and eventual outcome, may be material and could have a material adverse effect on our operations. In the future, we may be involved in legal proceedings, disputes, administrative proceedings, claims and other litigation that arise in the ordinary course of business related to a project that we subsequently acquire. For example, individuals and interest groups may sue to challenge the issuance of a permit for a project or seek to enjoin construction or operation of a project. We may also become subject to claims from individuals who live in the proximity of our projects based on alleged negative health effects related to our operations. In addition, we have been and may subsequently become subject to legal proceedings or claims contesting the construction or operation of our projects.
Additionally, holders of purported intellectual property rights relating to our biogas development or treatment business or projects or any other technology relevant to our business may also initiate legal proceedings alleging infringement or misappropriation of such rights by us or our employees, either with respect to our own intellectual property or intellectual property that we license from third parties. For example, an industry participant previously brought a lawsuit against Archaea and two of its engineering employees in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware alleging, among other things, that the two employees (who are former employees of the industry participant) misappropriated trade secrets concerning strategy, financial data, highly technical equipment and product design and performance, product and project troubleshooting, competitive advantages, competitive disadvantages and future plans for development for the benefit of Archaea. The parties involved have settled this lawsuit on terms that are confidential, and this lawsuit has been dismissed with prejudice.
Any such legal proceedings or disputes could delay our ability to complete construction of a project in a timely manner or at all, or materially increase the costs associated with commencing or continuing commercial operations at a project. Settlement of claims and unfavorable outcomes or developments relating to these proceedings or disputes, such as judgments for monetary damages, injunctions or denial or revocation of permits, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We may use hedging arrangements to mitigate certain risks, but the use of such derivative instruments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We are likely to use interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. In addition, we may use forward energy sales and other types of hedging contracts, including foreign currency hedges. If we elect to enter into such hedges, we may recognize financial losses on these arrangements as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying asset or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. If actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources are not available, the valuation of these contracts would involve judgment or the use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. If the values of these financial contracts change in a manner that we do not anticipate, or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract, it could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can impact our results.
In the future, a portion of our revenues may be generated outside of the United States and denominated in foreign currencies, including Canadian dollars. Changes in exchange rates between the currencies in which we generate revenues and the US dollar may adversely affect our operating results.
The concentration in revenues from and the geographic concentration of our projects expose us to greater risks of production interruptions from severe weather or other interruptions of production or transmission.
A substantial portion of our revenues are generated from project sites in New York and Pennsylvania. A lengthy interruption of production or transmission of renewable energy from one or more of these projects, as a result of a severe weather event, failure or degradation of our or a landfill operator’s equipment or interconnection transmission problems could have a disproportionate effect on our revenues and cash flow as further described below. Regional events, such as gas transmission interruptions, regional availability of replacement parts and service in the event of equipment failures and severe weather events in either of those geographic regions could adversely affect our RNG and renewable electricity production and transmission more than if our projects were more geographically diversified.
Our PPAs, fuel-supply agreements, RNG off-take agreements and other agreements contain complex price adjustments, calculations and other terms based on gas price indices and other metrics, the interpretation of which could result in disputes with counterparties that could affect our results of operations and customer relationships.
Certain of our PPAs, fuel supply agreements, RNG off-take agreements and other agreements require us to make payments or adjust prices to counterparties based on past or current changes in gas price indices, project productivity, or other metrics and involve complex calculations. Moreover, the underlying indices governing payments under these agreements are subject to change and may be discontinued or replaced. The interpretation of these price adjustments and calculations and the potential discontinuation or replacement of relevant indices or metrics could result in disputes with the counterparties with respect to these agreements. Any such disputes could adversely affect project revenues, expense margins, customer or supplier relationships, or lead to costly litigation, the outcome of which we would be unable to predict.
We have a history of accounting losses and may incur additional losses in the future.
The Company incurred a net loss attributable to Class A Common Stock of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and Legacy Archaea has incurred net losses since its formation in November 2018, including a net loss of $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Aria, predecessor, also incurred net losses in recent historical periods, including a net loss of $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. We may incur losses in future periods, and we may never sustain profitability, either of which would adversely affect our business, prospects and financial condition and may cause the price of our common stock to fall. Furthermore, historical losses may not be indicative of future losses due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks inherent in our operations, and our future losses may be greater than our past losses. In addition, to try to achieve or sustain profitability, we may choose or be forced to take actions that result in material costs or material asset or goodwill impairments. We review our assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable, and we perform a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances, in each case in accordance with applicable accounting guidance and as described in the financial statements and related notes included in this report. Changes to the use of our assets, divestitures, changes to the structure of our business, significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our operations, inability to effectively integrate any acquired businesses, further market capitalization declines, or other similar actions or conditions could result in
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additional asset impairment or goodwill impairment charges or other adverse consequences, any of which could have material negative effects on our financial condition, our results of operations and the trading price of our common stock.
Loss of our key management could adversely affect performance and the value of our common shares.
We are dependent on the efforts of our key management. Although we believe qualified replacements could be found for any departures of key executives, the loss of their services could adversely affect our performance and the value of our common shares.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. We may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, which may result in material misstatements of our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.
Following the issuance of the SEC Staff Statement on April 12, 2021 (the “SEC Statement”), after consultation with our management, our audit committee concluded that, in light of the SEC Statement, it was appropriate to restate our previously issued (i) audited balance sheet dated as of October 26, 2020 which was related to our initial public offering and (ii) audited financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 as originallyreported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)SEC on March 30, 2021 (the “Original Filing”(collectively, the “Affected Periods Amendment No. 1”).
Our management is responsible for establishing and subsequently amendedmaintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our management is likewise required, on a quarterly basis, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and to disclose any changes and material weaknesses identified through such evaluation of those internal controls. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As described in the Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021 (“Amendment No. 1”), we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the accounting for a significant and unusual transaction related to the warrants we issued in connection with our initial public offering in October 2020. As a result of this material weakness, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020. This material weakness resulted in a material misstatement of our derivative warrant liabilities, change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities, Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption, accumulated deficit and related financial disclosures for the Affected Periods Amendment No. 1. For a discussion of management’s consideration of the material weakness identified related to our accounting for a significant and unusual transaction related to the warrants we issued in connection with our initial public offering, see Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As described in the Amendment No. 2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on December 28, 2021 (“Amendment No. 2”), we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the Company’s application of ASC 480-10-S99-3A to its accounting classification of the public shares. As a result of this material weakness, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020. Historically, a portion of the public shares was classified as permanent equity to maintain stockholders’ equity greater than $5 million on the basis that the Company will not redeem its public shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Previously, the Company did not consider redeemable stock classified as temporary equity as part of net tangible assets. Effective with the financial statements included in Amendment No. 2, the Company revised this interpretation to include temporary equity in net tangible assets.
As described in Amendment No. 1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of and for the period ended September 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on December 29, 2021, we identified an accounting error related to a duplicate entry recorded for the reverse capitalization in connection with the Business Combinations that resulted in an understatement of accounts payable – trade and general and administrative expenses of $2.8 million in our successor financial statements. After re-evaluation, our management concluded that in light of this accounting error, a material weakness existed in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 and that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of September 30, 2021. We are remediating this material weakness by enhancing training of our staff, following stricter journal entry approval workflows and requiring certain account reconciliations to be
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completed and approved prior to the issuance of financial statements. In addition, we will improve our analytical review procedures and perform such procedures and related variance explanations at a more detailed level.
As described in Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures,” we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2021 because material weaknesses existed in our internal control over financial reporting. We have taken a number of measures to remediate the material weaknesses described therein; however, if we are unable to remediate our material weaknesses in a timely manner or we identify additional material weaknesses, we may be unable to provide required financial information in a timely and reliable manner and we may incorrectly report financial information. Likewise, if our financial statements are not filed on a timely basis, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchange on which our Class A Common Stock are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to timely file will cause us to be ineligible to utilize short form registration statements on Form S-3 or Form S-4, which may impair our ability to obtain capital in a timely fashion to execute our business strategies or issue shares to effect an acquisition. In either case, this could result in a material adverse effect on our business. The existence of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our reputation or investor perceptions of us, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock. In addition, we will incur additional costs to remediate material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, as described in Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures.”
We can give no assurance that the measures we have taken and plan to take in the future will remediate the material weaknesses identified or that any additional material weaknesses or restatements of financial results will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of these controls. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, in the future those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or errors or to facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements.
Risks Related to our Class A Common Stock
Archaea is a holding company and its organizational structure is what is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership C corporation (or “up-C”) structure, whereby all of the equity interests in Aria and Legacy Archaea are indirectly held by Opco and Archaea’s sole material asset is its equity interest in Opco and it is accordingly dependent upon distributions from Opco to pay taxes, and cover its corporate and other overhead expenses.
Archaea is a holding company and has no material assets other than its equity interest in Opco. Please see “Item 1—Business—Overview.” Archaea has no independent means of generating revenue. To the extent Opco has available cash, Opco is required to make (i) pro rata distributions to all its unitholders, including to Archaea, in an amount sufficient to allow Archaea to satisfy its actual tax liabilities and (ii) non pro rata payments to Archaea in an amount sufficient to cover its corporate and other overhead expenses. Funds used by Opco to satisfy its distribution obligations will not be available for reinvestment in our business. Further, Archaea's ability to make distributions may be limited to the extent Opco and its subsidiaries are limited in their ability to make these and other distributions to Archaea, including due to the restrictions under the Company’s financing arrangements. To the extent that Archaea needs funds and Opco or its subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of their financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition. If Opco does not distribute sufficient funds to Archaea to pay its taxes or other liabilities, Archaea may default on contractual obligations or have to borrow additional funds. In the event that Archaea is required to borrow additional funds, it could adversely affect its liquidity and subject Archaea to additional restrictions imposed by lenders.
Archaea anticipates that the distributions received from Opco may, in certain periods, exceed its actual tax liabilities and other financial obligations. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, will make any determination from time to time with respect to the use of any such excess cash so accumulated. Archaea will have no obligation to distribute such cash (or other available cash other than any declared dividend) to its stockholders.
In addition, the up-C structure confers certain benefits upon the members of Opco that will not benefit the holders of Class A Common Stock to the same extent as it will benefit the Opco members. If Opco makes distributions to Archaea, the Opco members will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions from Opco on a pro rata basis. However, because Archaea must pay taxes, amounts ultimately distributed as dividends, if any in the future, to holders of Class A Common Stock are expected to be less on a per share basis than the amounts distributed by Opco to its members on a per unit basis. This and other aspects of the up-C structure may adversely impact the future trading market for the Class A Common Stock.
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Future sales of equity, or the perception of future sales of equity, by the Company or its stockholders in the public market could cause the market price for the Class A Common Stock to decline.
The sale of shares of Class A Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing market price of shares of Class A Common Stock. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for the Company to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that it deems appropriate.
Pursuant to the redemption right, holders of Class A Opco Units (other than Archaea), subject to certain limitations, may redeem Class A Opco Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, and may sell any of such shares of Class A Common Stock.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021, by and among RAC, Opco, Archaea Borrower, the Sponsor and certain stockholders of the Company (the “Stockholders Agreement”), the Aria Holders were subject to a 180-day lock-up period on transferring their equity interests in RAC, while the Legacy Archaea Holders are subject to a lock-up period ranging from one to two years following the Closing. Additional data and discussion are provided in “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The lock-up restrictions applicable to the Aria Holders were subject to early expiration based on the per share trading price of Class A Common Stock as set forth in the Stockholders Agreement, and early expiration of the Aria Holders lock-up period concluded in November 2021. In the case of the Class B Common Stock and related Class A Opco Units held by RAC's former officers and directors and their affiliates, these shares were also subject to a lock-up period that expired in March 2022 as a result of the closing price of the Common Stock equaling or exceeding $12.00 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period following the 150th day following the Closing Date.

Upon the expiration or waiver of the lock-ups described above, shares held by such persons will be eligible for resale. In addition, such persons have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require the Company to register the sale of their shares of Class A Common Stock under the Securities Act, which registration statement was declared effective in October 2021. By exercising their registration rights and selling a large number of shares, these stockholders could cause the prevailing market price of Class A Common Stock to decline.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As ofDecember 31, 2021, we have various operating leases for our corporate headquarters, other office space, warehouse, and facilities for periods ranging from one to eleven years.
As ofDecember 31, 2021, we own, through wholly-owned entities or joint ventures, a diversified portfolio of 29 LFG recovery and processing facilities across 18 states, including 11 operated facilities that produce pipeline-quality RNG and 18 LFG to renewable electricity production facilities, including one non-operated facility and one facility that is not operational. See “Item 1. Business—Our Production Facilities and Projects” for further descriptions of our production facilities and projects, which information is incorporated into this item by reference.
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company is party to certain legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these events cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not currently expect these matters to have a materially adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Archaea’s Class A Common Stock is currently traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “LFG”.
Holders
As of March 4, 2022, there were 115 holders of record of Archaea’s Class A Common Stock, and 20 holders of record of Archaea’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
Dividends
Our Board of Directors currently intends to retain any future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business, and therefore does not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the near term.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The information required by Item 5 of Form 10-K regarding equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In November and December 2021, under the Share Repurchase Agreement entered into by the Company and Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC, dated November 3, 2021, the Company repurchased a total of 6,101,449 shares of Class A Common Stock from Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC at a pre-negotiated price of $17.65 per share. The repurchases were funded utilizing proceeds from the exercise of the Public Warrants and Forward Purchase Warrants.
Comparative Stock Performance
We are a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. As a result, we are not required to provide the information required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations, estimates, and assumptions concerning events and financial trends that may affect our future operating results or financial position. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
Archaea is one of the largest RNG producers in the U.S., with an industry-leading RNG platform primarily focused on capturing and converting waste emissions from landfills and anaerobic digesters into low-carbon RNG and electricity. As of December 31, 2021, the Company owns, through wholly-owned entities or joint ventures, a diversified portfolio of 29 LFG recovery and processing projects across 18 states, including 11 operated projects that produce pipeline-quality RNG and 18 LFG to renewable electricity projects. See “ – Our Production Facilities and Projects” for additional detail.
Archaea designs, constructs, and operates RNG facilities. We have entered into long-term agreements with biogas site hosts which give us the rights to utilize gas produced at their sites and to construct and operate facilities on their sites to produce RNG and renewable electricity. As of December 31, 2021, Archaea's development backlog includes 35 cumulative
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projects, including planned upgrades of certain operating RNG facilities over time, opportunities to convert most of our renewable electricity facilities into RNG facilities, and greenfield RNG development opportunities.
Our differentiated commercial strategy is focused on selling the majority of our RNG volumes under long-term, fixed-price contracts to creditworthy partners, including utilities, corporations, and universities, helping these entities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve decarbonization goals while utilizing their existing gas infrastructure. We seek to mitigate our exposure to commodity and Environmental Attribute pricing volatility by selling a majority of our RNG and related Environmental Attributes under long-term contracts which are designed to provide revenue certainty.
Our RNG production started during 2021 as a result of the acquisition of Aria in connection to the Business Combinations and the commencement of operations in April 2021 at the Boyd County facility. We have long-term off-take contracts with creditworthy counterparties for the sale of RNG and related Environmental Attributes. Certain long-term off-take contracts are accounted for as operating leases and have no minimum lease payments. The rental income under these leases is recorded as revenue when the RNG is delivered to the customer. RNG not covered by off-take contracts is sold under short-term market based contracts. When the performance obligation is satisfied through the delivery of RNG to the customer, revenue is recognized. We usually receive payments from the sale of RNG production within one month after delivery.

We also earn revenue by selling RINs, which are generated when producing and selling RNG. These RINs are able to be separated and sold independent from the RNG produced. When the RNG and RIN are sold on a bundled basis under the same contract, revenue is recognized when the RNG is produced and the RNG and associated RIN are transferred to a third party. The remaining RIN sales were under short-term contracts independent from RNG sales, and revenue is recognized when the RIN is transferred to a third party. We also generate and sell LCFS credits at some of our RNG projects through off-take contracts similar to RINs. LCFS is state level program administered by the CARB. LCFS credits are generated as the RNG is sold as vehicle fuel in California.

There is a general lag in the generation and sale of RIN and LCFS credits subsequent to a facility being placed into operation. While each new facility is eligible to register under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) upon initial production and pipeline injection, Archaea has external parties certify its plants under EPA’s voluntary Quality Assurance Plan (“QAP”) in order to maximize the value of its D3 RINs. The initial QAP review generally requires evaluation of up to 90 days of operational data prior to achieving Q-RIN status. Once registration is obtained from the EPA and Q-RIN status achieved, Archaea can generate RINs. RINs are generated monthly for the previous month of production, after which the RINs may be sold. Quarterly and annual reports are required to maintain RFS registration and Q-RIN status for each facility.

LCFS registration requires a minimum of 90 days operational data for a provisional pathway application. Following the application submission, there is a mandatory third-party validation period ranging from three to six months. During this time, LCFS credits can be generated for the facility using a temporary carbon intensity (CI) score, which is typically higher than the expected certified CI for our facilities. Following successful pathway validation, the facility is eligible to generate LCFS credits using the new provisional CI score. LCFS credits are generated on a quarterly basis for the previous quarter of production. Credits are then available to be sold. Quarterly and annual reports are required to maintain LCFS registration and certified CI for each facility.
The Business Combinations and Related Transactions
On April 7, 2021, RAC entered into the Business Combination Agreements. On the Closing Date, RAC completed the Business Combinations to acquire Legacy Archaea and Aria. Following the Business Combinations closing, RAC changed its name from “Rice Acquisition Corp.” to “Archaea Energy Inc.,” also referred to herein as the “Company.” Rice Acquisitions Holdings LLC was renamed “LFG Acquisition Holdings LLC,” also referred to herein as “Opco.” In connection with the Business Combinations closing, the Company completed a private placement of 29,166,667 shares of Class A Common Stock and 250,000 warrants (each warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50) for gross proceeds of $300 million.
The Company and Opco issued 33.4 million Class A Opco Units and 33.4 million shares of Class B Common Stock on the Closing Date to Legacy Archaea Holders to acquire Legacy Archaea. Aria was acquired for total initial consideration of $863.1 million, subject to certain future adjustments set forth in the Aria Merger Agreement. The Aria Closing Merger Consideration consisted of cash consideration of $377.1 million paid to Aria Holders and equity consideration in the form
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of 23.0 million newly issued Class A Opco Units and 23.0 million newly issued shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and $91.1 million for repayment of Aria debt.
Archaea has retained its “up-C” structure, whereby all of the equity interests in Aria and Legacy Archaea are indirectly held by Opco and the Company’s only assets are its equity interests in Opco.
The up-C structure allows the Legacy Archaea Holders, the Aria Holders, and the Sponsor to retain their equity ownership through Opco, an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the form of Class A Opco Units, and provides potential future tax benefits for Archaea when those holders of Class A Opco Units ultimately exchange their Class A Opco Units and shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock in the Company. Opco is considered a VIE for accounting purposes, and the Company, as the sole managing member of Opco, is considered the primary beneficiary. As such, the Company consolidates Opco, and the unitholders that hold economic interests directly at Opco are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company’s financial statements.
Holders of Class A Opco Units (other than Archaea) have a redemption right, subject to certain limitations, to redeem Class A Opco Units (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock) for, at Opco’s option, (i) shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) a corresponding amount of cash.
Predecessor and Successor Reporting
Legacy Archaea is considered the accounting acquirer of the Business Combinations for accounting purposes because Legacy Archaea Holders have the largest portion of the voting power of the combined company, Legacy Archaea’s executive management comprise the majority of the executive management of the combined company, and the Legacy Archaea Holders appointed the majority of board members exclusive of the independent board members. The Archaea Merger represents a reverse merger and is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, RAC is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Archaea Merger is treated as the equivalent of Legacy Archaea issuing shares for the net assets of RAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of RAC are stated at historical cost. No goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded. Legacy Archaea is also considered the “Successor”. As such, the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations prior to the September 15, 2021 reverse recapitalization are those of Legacy Archaea, the accounting acquirer. The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries beginning on September 15, 2021, which includes approximately 3.5 months of the combined results of the businesses of Legacy Archaea and Aria as operated by the Company after the Closing Date through December 31, 2021.
The Aria Merger represents a business combination in which Aria was determined to be the acquiree, and Aria’s identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at their acquisition date fair value. Additionally, due to Aria’s historical operations compared to Legacy Archaea and the relative fair values, Aria was determined to be the “Predecessor”. As Predecessor, Aria’s historical financial statements have been included to enhance comparability for readers, and we have also included a discussion of the Aria’s operations, financial condition and changes in financial condition for the period January 1 to September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020.
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Financial Results
Our future results of operations will not be comparable to our Successor or our Predecessor’s historical results of operations for the reasons described below:
The Company’s future results of operations and financial position may not be comparable to Legacy Archaea’s or Aria’s historical results as a result of the Business Combinations and the Company’s ongoing development activities. Our results prior to the closing of the Business Combinations on September 15, 2021 only include Legacy Archaea, the accounting acquirer, whereas our results beginning on September 15, 2021 include the combined operations of Legacy Archaea and Aria as managed by the Company. In addition, both Legacy Archaea and Aria have experienced significant growth and expansion over the last two years, and the Company expects to continue to grow significantly through organic growth projects and acquisitions.
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Legacy Archaea was formed in November of 2018 and did not have significant assets, liabilities or operations until its acquisition of BioFuels San Bernardino Biogas, LLC in September of 2019, to acquire the LFG rights agreements with two landfills located in San Bernardino County, California. Subsequent to this acquisition, Legacy Archaea purchased a 72.2% controlling interest in GCES, an original equipment manufacturer of air, water, and soil remediation pollution control systems, in February 2020, and after the Business Combinations, the Company acquired an additional 27.8% controlling interest to obtain 100% ownership of GCES. In November 2020, Legacy Archaea acquired all of the outstanding membership interests in the Boyd County LFG to RNG facility in Ashland, Kentucky. In April 2021, Legacy Archaea purchased 100% of the outstanding membership interests in PEI Power LLC (“PEI”), a biogas fuel combustion power generating facility in Archbald, PA.
As a result of the Business Combinations, the Company has hired and will need to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. The Company expects to incur additional annual expenses as a public company that Legacy Archaea did not historically incur for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting and legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees.
There are differences in the way the Company will finance its operations as compared to the way our Successor or Predecessor financed its operations, which were primarily through equity and project debt financing. The Company received approximately $175 million in net proceeds from the Business Combinations, the PIPE Financing, and debt issuance after payment of the Aria Merger cash consideration and transaction expenses to fund the Company’s future growth projects. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Archaea Borrower entered into a $470 million Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) which provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) with an initial commitment of $250 million and a senior secured term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan” and, together with the Revolver, the “Facilities”) with an initial commitment of $220.0 million. As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $352.0 million of outstanding indebtedness, including $218.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan and $133.4 million outstanding on our Assai Notes, and also had $235.8 million of available borrowing capacity and outstanding letters of credit of $14.2 million as of December 31, 2021 under the Revolver. The Company expects to fund our 2022 capital program through its project development activities with cash on hand from the proceeds of the Business Combinations and available funding under our credit facility as discussed below under “New Credit Facility.” Further, the Company may also determine to issue long-term debt securities to fund a portion of its capital program if market conditions allow. The Company cannot predict with certainty the timing, amount and terms of any future issuances of any such debt securities or whether they occur at all. The amount and timing of the future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace and results of our acquisitions and project development efforts.
As a corporation, the Company is subject to U.S. federal income and applicable state taxes to the extent it generates positive taxable income. Legacy Archaea and Aria and their subsidiaries (with the exception of one partially-owned subsidiary which filed income tax returns as a C corporation) are and were generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level. Accordingly, the consolidated and combined net income in Legacy Archaea and Aria’s historical financial statements for periods prior to the consummation of the Business Combinations does not reflect the full tax expense the Company would have incurred if it were subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level during such periods.
Other Significant Acquisitions
Boyd County Project
On November 10, 2020, Legacy Archaea acquired all the outstanding membership interests of a high-Btu facility in Ashland, Kentucky that had not previously been properly commissioned to process LFG to pipeline specification RNG. In April 2021, the facility commenced commercial operations.
Assai and PEI
On January 6, 2020, Legacy Archaea began the development of its Assai biogas project on the site of the Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, in the Scranton metro area. Assai commenced commercial operations on December 30, 2021, with production expected to scale up over several months. Assai is the highest capacity operational RNG facility in the world.
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On April 7, 2021, Legacy Archaea completed the acquisition of PEI. PEI’s assets include LFG rights, a pipeline, and a biogas fuel combustion power generating facility with a combined capacity of approximately 85 MW located in Archbald, Pennsylvania. We intend to transport LFG from the associated landfill at PEI to Assai in the future.
GCES
On January 14, 2020, Legacy Archaea purchased a controlling position of GCES. Historically located in Conroe, Texas, GCES is an original equipment manufacturer of air, water, and soil remediation pollution control systems. GCES manufactures equipment that will be used in the Company’s RNG projects in addition to selling equipment to third parties. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has obtained 100% ownership of GCES. In 2022, GCES will relocate its production facility to a new location within the Houston metroplex.
LFG to Electricity Facilities

On October 28, 2021, Archaea acquired all the outstanding membership interests in Frontier Operation Services, LLC and JL-E Financial Holdings, LLC, which own and operate four LFG to renewable electricity facilities located in Winterville, Georgia; Rochelle, Illinois; Graham, Washington; and Smithfield, North Carolina.
Our Production Facilities and Projects
Archaea has a broad base of operational production facilities and a robust backlog of RNG development opportunities. As of December 31, 2021, we own, through wholly-owned entities or joint ventures, a diversified portfolio of 29 LFG recovery and processing facilities across 18 states, including 11 operated facilities that produce pipeline-quality RNG and 18 LFG to renewable electricity production facilities, including one non-operated facility and one facility that is not operational. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combinations, the RNG projects were included in Legacy Archaea’s or Aria’s RNG operating segment, and Power projects were included in Aria’s Power operating segment, except for the PEI project, which was included in Legacy Archaea’s Power operating segment. Over the next several years, we intend to convert certain current LFG to renewable electricity production facilities to RNG production facilities and upgrade certain existing RNG production facilities. These facilities have existing gas development agreements in place in addition to site leases, zoning, air permits, and much of the critical infrastructure that is needed to develop RNG projects. We also plan to develop and construct our portfolio of greenfield development opportunities, for which we also already have gas development agreements in place. Our development backlog as of December 31, 2021 includes 35 cumulative upgrade, conversion, and greenfield projects, and we are planning to secure additional RNG development opportunities through long-term agreements with biogas site hosts. Additional production facility and project data is provided in Item 1. Business of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Key Factors Affecting Operating Results
The Company’s performance and future success depend on several factors that present significant opportunities but also pose risks and challenges, including those discussed below and in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s business strategy includes growth primarily through the upgrade and expansion of existing RNG production facilities, conversion of LFG to renewable electricity production facilities to RNG production facilities, development and construction of greenfield RNG development projects for which we already have gas development agreements in place, and the procurement of LFG rights to develop additional greenfield RNG projects. We are also evaluating other potential sources of biogas and exploring the development of wells for carbon sequestration, the use of on-site solar-generated electricity to meet energy needs for RNG production, and the use of RNG as a feedstock for low-carbon hydrogen.
Until commercial RNG operations commenced in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, Legacy Archaea’s revenues were derived primarily from the sale of customized pollution control systems to third-party customers. With the acquisition of Aria and as our RNG and other projects continue to become commercially operational, the Company expects that a majority of our revenues will be generated from the sale of RNG and renewable electricity, primarily under long-term off-take agreements, along with the Environmental Attributes that are derived from these products. Following the Business Combinations, until the Company can generate sufficient revenue from RNG, renewable electricity and Environmental Attributes, the Company is expected to primarily finance its project development activities with its existing cash and financing arrangements currently in place. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources - New Credit Facility,” for further
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discussion of our existing financing arrangements. The amount and timing of the future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace and results of our acquisitions and project development efforts.
Market Trends and Exposure to Market-Based Pricing Fluctuations
Future revenues will depend to a substantial degree upon the demand for RNG, renewable electricity and Environmental Attributes, all of which are affected by a number of factors outside our control. To manage exposure to market-based pricing fluctuations, the Company seeks to sell a majority of expected RNG production volumes under long-term off-take agreements with fixed pricing to counterparties with strong credit profiles. The credit profiles of the buyers of RNG are subject to change and are outside our control. Future expenses will depend to a substantial degree upon electricity prices and the costs of raw materials and labor. These costs, too, are subject to a number of factors outside our control.
Regulatory Landscape
We operate in an industry that is subject to and currently benefits from environmental regulations. Government policies can increase the demand for our products by providing market participants with incentives to purchase RNG, renewable electricity and Environmental Attributes. These government policies are continuously being modified, and adverse changes in such policies could have the effect of reducing the demand for our products. For more information, see our risk factor titled “Existing regulations and policies, and future changes to these regulations and policies, may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the generation, purchase and use of renewable energy, and may adversely affect the market for credits associated with the production of renewable energy.” Government regulations applicable to our renewable energy projects have generally become more stringent over time. Complying with any new government regulations may result in significant additional expenses or related development costs for us.
Seasonality
To some extent, we experience seasonality in our results of operations. Short-term sales of RNG may be impacted by higher consumption of vehicle fuels by some of our customers in the summer months, when buses and other fleet vehicles use more fuel to power their air conditioning systems, which typically translates to an increased volume of fuel delivered in the summer months. In addition, natural gas commodity prices tend to be higher in the fall and winter months, due to increased overall demand for natural gas for heating during these periods.
Revenues generated from our renewable electricity projects in the northeast U.S., all of which sell electricity at market prices, are affected by warmer and colder weather, and therefore a portion of our quarterly operating results and cash flows are affected by pricing changes due to regional temperatures. These seasonal variances are managed in part by certain off-take agreements at fixed prices.
Cold weather can cause our plants to experience freeze-offs and power outages, resulting in more downtime than under warm weather conditions. Shipping delays for replacement parts and construction materials may also be more frequent during the winter months leading to incremental downtime or construction delays. In addition, lower ambient temperatures result in lower biogas production from our anaerobic digesters and may result in changes to landfill gas composition during the winter months which have the potential to cause incremental downtime. Our energy production can also be affected during the summer months, as very warm temperatures can dry out a landfill if the landfill owner is unable to keep the landfill covered, which in turn reduces the LFG generated at the site.
Impacts of COVID-19
To date, the COVID-19 pandemic and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate the pandemic have caused, and are continuing to cause, business slowdowns or shutdowns in affected areas and significant disruptions in the financial markets both globally and in the United States. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigation measures, the Company began implementing changes in its business in March 2020 to protect its employees and customers, and to support appropriate health and safety protocols. These measures resulted in additional costs, which we expect will continue through 2022 as we continue to work to address employee safety. As of the date of this Annual Report, such business changes and additional costs have not been, individually or in the aggregate, material to us. We are considered an essential company under the U.S. Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidance and the various state or local jurisdictions in which we operate.
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Several vaccines have been authorized for use against COVID-19 in the United States and internationally. As a result of distribution of the vaccines, various federal, state and local governments have begun to ease the movement restrictions and public health initiatives while continuing to adhere to enhanced safety measures, such as physical distancing and face mask protocols. However, uncertainty continues to exist regarding the severity and duration of the pandemic, the speed and effectiveness of vaccine and treatment developments and deployment, potential mutations of COVID-19, and the effect of actions taken and that will be taken to contain COVID-19 or treat its effect, among others. As a result, we remain uncertain of the ultimate effect COVID-19 could have on our business and operations.
Results of Operations
Basis of Presentation
Our revenues are primarily generated from the production and sale of RNG and renewable electricity along with the Environmental Attributes. RNG and renewable electricity generate valuable Environmental Attributes that can be monetized under international, federal, and state initiatives. The Environmental Attributes that we derive and sell include RINs and state low-carbon fuel credits, which are generated from the conversion of biogas to RNG which is used as a transportation fuel, as well as from RECs generated from the conversion of biogas to renewable electricity. Our RINs, RECs, and LCFS are sold with the sale of RNG and renewable electricity or sold separately. In addition to revenues generated from our product sales, we also generate revenues by providing O&M services to certain of our JV production facilities and biogas site partners and by constructing and selling equipment through our GCES subsidiary.
The Company reports segment information in two segments: RNG and Power. Prior to the Business Combinations, the Company managed RNG as its primary business operations, which is to construct and develop biogas facilities on landfill sites for production of RNG. Our Power segment generates revenue by selling renewable electricity and associated Environmental Attributes. In addition, we hold interests in other entities that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, including Mavrix, which owns and operates four separate RNG facilities included in the RNG segment, and the Sunshine electric project included in the Power segment. We expect our future growth to be driven primarily by additional projects within the RNG segment, and we expect to convert the majority of our LFG to renewable electricity projects to RNG projects over time.
Key Metrics
Management regularly reviews a number of operating metrics and financial measurements to evaluate our performance, measure our growth and make strategic decisions. In addition to traditional GAAP performance and liquidity measures, such as revenue, cost of sales, net income and cash provided by operating activities, we also consider MMBtu and MWh sold and Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating our operating performance. Each of these metrics is discussed below.
Key Components of Results of Operations
As a result of the Business Combinations, prior year amounts are not comparable to current year amounts or expected future trends. The historical financial statements included herein are the financial statements of Legacy Archaea for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Revenue
The Company generates revenues from the production and sales of RNG, Power, and Environmental Attributes, as well as the performance of other landfill energy O&M services and the sale of customized pollution control equipment and associated maintenance agreement services. Whenever possible, we seek to mitigate our exposure to commodity and Environmental Attribute pricing volatility. We seek to sell a significant portion of our RNG production volumes under long-term, fixed-price arrangements with creditworthy partners. We also sell a portion of our volumes under short-term agreements, and many of these volumes generate Environmental Attributes that we also monetize.
Until commercial RNG operations for Legacy Archaea commenced in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, revenues were historically comprised of sales of customized pollution control equipment and maintenance agreement services. Revenues in Legacy Archaea’s RNG segment commenced in the second quarter of 2021 with commercial operations at our Boyd County facility, and increased beginning in September 2021 due to the Business Combinations and the inclusion of Aria for approximately 3.5 months in the Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2021. Revenues in our
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Power segment commenced with the PEI acquisition in the second quarter of 2021, and increased beginning in September 2021 due to the Business Combinations and the inclusion of Aria effective September 15, 2021 in the Company’s results.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales is comprised primarily of royalty payments to landfill owners as stipulated in our gas rights agreements and labor, parts and outside services required to operate and maintain equipment utilized in generating energy from our owned project facilities and from our landfill sources. Other costs directly related to the production of electricity and RNG are transportation costs associated with moving gas into pipelines, transmission costs of moving power between the ISOs, and electricity consumed in the process of gas production. Our payments to biogas site hosts are primarily in the form of royalties based on realized revenues or, in some select cases, based on production volumes.
Prior to the Business Combinations, cost of sales was historically comprised primarily of personnel compensation and benefits, insurance and raw materials, and parts and components for manufacturing equipment for sale.
Environmental Attributes are a form of government incentive and not a result of the physical attributes of the biogas or electricity production. Therefore, no cost is allocated to the Environmental Attribute when it is generated, regardless of whether it is transferred with the biogas or electricity produced or held by the Company. Additionally, Environmental Attributes, once obtained through the production and sale of biogas or electricity, may be separated and sold separately.
Cost of sales also includes depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense on our power and gas processing plants, amortization of intangible assets relating to our gas and power rights agreements, and the accretion of our asset retirement obligations. Depreciation and amortization is recognized using the straight-line method over the underlying assets’ useful life. Accretion expense is recognized based on the effective yield method.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel related costs (including salaries, bonuses, benefits, and share-based compensation) for our executive, finance, human resource, marketing, IT and other administrative departments and fees for third-party professional services, including consulting, legal and accounting services. These expenses also include insurance, software, and other corporate related costs. No depreciation or amortization expenses are allocated to general and administrative expenses.
We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we scale headcount with the growth of our business, and as a result of operating as a public company, including compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, legal, audit, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services.
Equity Earnings
We hold interests in other entities that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, including Mavrix, which owns and operates four separate RNG facilities, the Sunshine electric project, and Saturn Renewables, LLC, which owns gas rights at two landfills.
Successor Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The following discussion pertains to our results of operations, financial condition, and changes in financial condition of the Successor, which includes only Legacy Archaea for dates prior to September 15, 2021 and the operations of both Legacy Archaea and Aria from September 15, 2021 through December 31, 2021. Any increases or decreases “for the year ended December 31, 2021” refer to the comparison of the year ended December 31, 2021, to the year ended December 31, 2020.
In 2020, Legacy Archaea did not have operational assets and as such, the RNG and Power segments did not exist. As such, any segment comparison would not be informative and has not been included for comparison purposes.
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Set forth below is a summary of volumes sold for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
20212020
RNG sold (MMBtu)1,482,124 — 
Electricity sold (MWh)309,083 — 
Volumes increased in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the commencement of commercial operations in April 2021 at our Boyd County facility, the purchase of the PEI power assets in April 2021, and the acquisition of Aria. The volumes sold table above excludes volumes sold by the Company's equity method investments.
Set forth below is a summary of selected financial information for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020$ Change
Revenues and other income$77,126 $6,523 $70,603 
Costs of sales62,513 4,889 57,624 
Equity investment income (loss)5,653 — 5,653 
General and administrative expenses43,827 4,371 39,456 
Operating income (loss)(23,561)(2,737)(20,824)
Other income (expense), net(7,360)501 (7,861)
Net income (loss)$(30,921)$(2,236)$(28,685)
Revenues and Other Income
Revenues and other income were approximately $77.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $70.6 million. The increased revenues are primarily attributable to the commencement of commercial operations in April 2021 at our Boyd County facility, the purchase of the PEI power assets, and the acquisition of Aria resulting in a $57.7 million increase, partially offset by a reduction of pollution control equipment sales.
Cost of Sales
Costs of sales increased by $57.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to the commencement of commercial operations in April 2021 at our Boyd County facility, the purchase of the PEI power assets, and the acquisition of Aria resulting in a $38.5 million increase.
Equity Investment Income (Loss)
Equity investment income increased due to the acquisition of Aria resulting in ownership in Mavrix and Sunshine Canyon joint ventures.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $39.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to merger related expenses related to additional legal costs, contractors and consultants, additional general and administrative staff as our business has expanded and we became a public company, and stock compensation expense.
Other Income (Expense)
Other expense increased by $7.9 million primarily due to the increase in interest expense of $4.8 million and the increase in fair value of the warrant liabilities from the date of the Business Combinations through either the date of exercise, if applicable, or December 31, 2021 for the remaining Private Placement Warrants resulting in a loss of $3.0 million.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by taking net income (loss) before taxes, interest expense, and depreciation, amortization and accretion, and adjusting for the effects of certain non-cash items, other non-operating income or expense items, and other items not otherwise predictive or indicative of ongoing operating performance, including net derivatives activity,
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non-cash share-based compensation expense, and non-recurring costs related to our Business Combinations. We believe the exclusion of these items enables investors and other users of our financial information to assess our sequential and year-over-year performance and operating trends on a more comparable basis and is consistent with management’s own evaluation of performance.
Adjusted EBITDA also includes adjustments for equity method investment basis difference amortization and the depreciation and amortization expense included in our equity earnings from our equity method investments. These adjustments should not be understood to imply that we have control over the related operations and resulting revenues and expenses of our equity method investments. We do not control our equity method investments; therefore, we do not control the earnings or cash flows of such equity method investments. The use of Adjusted EBITDA, including adjustments related to equity method investments, as an analytical tool should be limited accordingly.

Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and external users of our consolidated financial statements to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures, or historical cost basis. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows from operations or net income (loss) as defined by GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information to management, investors, and other users of our financial information in evaluating the effectiveness of our operating performance in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of financial and operating performance.
The table below sets forth the reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
(in thousands)20212020
Net income (loss)$(30,921)$(2,236)
Adjustments:
Interest expense4,797 20 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion16,025 137 
EBITDA(10,099)(2,079)
Net derivative activity3,727 — 
Amortization of intangibles and below-market contracts(1,479)— 
Amortization of equity method investments basis difference3,068 — 
Depreciation and amortization adjustments for equity method investments1,745 — 
Share-based compensation5,071 — 
Acquisition transaction costs3,045 — 
Actuarial (gain) loss on postretirement plan(917)
Adjusted EBITDA$4,161$(2,079)
Predecessor Discussion
Key Components of Results of Operations
Energy Revenue
A significant majority of Aria’s owned projects operate under long-term off-take agreements with investment grade and other creditworthy counterparties that have a weighted average remaining life of approximately 5 years for Power projects and approximately 10 years for RNG projects as of September 14, 2021. Power that is not covered by long-term off-take agreements is sold either under short-term bilateral agreements or in the wholesale markets. For electricity, these are markets organized and maintained by ISOs and RTOs (e.g., NYISO in New York, ISO-NE in New England and PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (“PJM”) in the eastern United States). These ISOs and RTOs are well established organizations, regulated by states and FERC. For power sold in the wholesale markets, Aria schedules the output in the day-ahead markets and receives the market price determined by the ISO or RTO through balancing the supply and demand for each day. In most cases, Aria implements an optimization of the output sold in wholesale markets by using transmission to move the power into the ISO which offers better prices for RECs.
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For RNG, Aria has long-term off-take agreements with creditworthy counterparties. Some contracts have fixed price off-take arrangements, while the remaining sell natural gas and Environmental Attributes and are subject to market price changes.
Aria also generates revenue through the sale of Environmental Attributes. These Environmental Attributes include RECs, RINs and LCFS credits created from the sale of electricity and RNG as a transportation fuel. In most cases, RECs are sold to competitive energy suppliers or utilities. RINs are generally sold to energy companies, and Aria includes revenues from the sale of these Environmental Attributes in Energy revenue. REC revenue is recognized at the time power is produced where an active market exists and a sales agreement is in place for the credits. RIN revenue is recognized when the fuel is produced or transferred to a third party when a sales agreement is in place.
Construction Revenue
Construction revenue is derived from the installation of RNG plants owned by the nonconsolidated joint ventures. Aria recognizes revenue over time based on costs incurred and a fixed profit mark-up per construction agreement. Any intercompany profit is eliminated.
Cost of Energy
Cost of energy is comprised primarily of labor, parts and outside services required to operate and maintain equipment utilized in generating energy from project facilities and landfill sources. Other costs directly related to the production of electricity and RNG are transportation costs associated with moving gas into pipelines, transmission costs of moving power between the ISOs, electricity consumed in the process of gas production, and royalty payments to landfill owners as stipulated in gas rights agreements.
Cost of Construction
Cost of construction is comprised primarily of labor, equipment and other costs associated with construction contracts revenue incurred to date.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include offices rentals and costs relating to labor, legal, accounting, treasury, information technology, insurance, communications, human resources, procurement, utilities, property taxes, permitting and other general costs.
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts
Aria used interest rate swaps and caps to manage the risk associated with interest rate cash flows on variable rate borrowings. Changes in the fair values of interest rate swaps and realized losses were recognized as a component of interest expense. The interest rate swaps were measured at fair value by discounting the net future cash flows using the forward London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) curve with the valuations adjusted by the counterparties’ credit default hedge rate.
Changes in the fair values of natural gas swap are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative contracts and realized losses are recognized as a component of cost of energy expense. Valuation of the natural gas swap was calculated by discounting future net cash flows that were based on a forward price curve for natural gas over the life of the contract, with an adjustment for the counterparty’s credit default hedge rate.
Predecessor Comparison of the Period From January 1 to September 14, 2021 and the Year Ended December 31, 2021
The following discussion pertains to the Predecessor results of operations, financial condition, and changes in financial condition. Any increases or decreases “for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021” refer to the comparison of the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021, to the year ended December 31, 2020.
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Set forth below is a summary of Aria's volumes sold for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 (excluding volumes sold by Aria's equity method investments):
January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
RNG sold (MMBtu)2,983,816 4,325,757 
Electricity sold (MWh)469,299 863,959 
RNG volumes decreased for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to the shorter operating period and scheduled maintenance at the KC LFG and SWACO facilities. Power volumes decreased for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due the shorter operating period and the sale of LES Project Holdings LLC (“LESPH”) in June 2021.

Set forth below is a summary of Aria's certain financial information for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020:
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020$ Change
Revenues and other income$117,589 $138,881 $(21,292)
Costs of sales72,269 112,590 (40,321)
Equity investment income (loss)19,777 9,298 10,479 
General and administrative expenses33,737 20,782 12,955 
Operating income (loss)32,707 (10,486)43,193 
Other income (expense), net51,813 (19,437)71,250 
Net income (loss)$84,520 $(29,923)$114,443 
Revenues and Other Income
Revenue and other income decreased by $21.3 million for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 as result of the shorter operating period, lower LESPH revenue as a result of its sale in June 2021 and lower construction revenue, partially offset by higher RIN, natural gas, and power commodity pricing.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales decreased $40.3 million for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 as result of the shorter operating period and the sale of LESPH, partially offset by higher royalty costs.
Equity Investment Income (Loss), Net
Equity investment income increased by $10.5 million for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 as a result of Mavrix income being higher, RIN and gas pricing, and the addition of the South Shelby RNG facility, partially offset by the effect of the shorter operating period.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $13.0 million for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 as a result of merger-related legal, consulting, and personnel costs.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net increased by $71.3 million for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 as result of the gain on extinguishment of debt associated with the LESPH sale.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources (Successor)
Sources and Uses of Funds
Legacy Archaea historically funded its operations and growth with equity and debt financing. The Company’s primary uses of cash have been to fund construction of RNG facilities and acquisitions of complementary businesses and LFG rights. The Company is expected to primarily finance its project development activities with cash on hand from the proceeds of the Business Combinations, available funding under our credit facility as discussed below under “New Credit Facility, and, if we accelerate our growth plans, additional debt or share issuances. Further, the Company may also determine to issue long-term debt securities to fund a portion of its capital program if market conditions allow. The Company cannot predict with certainty the timing, amount and terms of any future issuances of any such debt securities or whether they occur at all. The amount and timing of the future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace and results of our acquisitions and project development efforts. Under the Company's base 2022 capital expenditure budget, we expect to allocate $130 million to fund optimization projects and new build projects that are expected to be completed in 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we had the cash balance described in the paragraph below and approximately $352.0 million of outstanding indebtedness, including $218.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan and $133.4 million outstanding on our Assai Notes, and also had $235.8 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolver. We expect that existing cash and cash equivalents, positive cash flows from operations and available borrowings under our credit facility will be sufficient to support our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. Accelerating our growth plans may require additional cash requirements, which would likely be funded with debt or share issuances. We may, to the extent market conditions are favorable, incur additional debt to, among other things, finance future acquisitions of businesses, assets, or biogas rights, fund development of projects in our backlog, respond to competition, or for general financial reasons alone.
Cash
As of December 31, 2021, Archaea had $77.9 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents included in $91.7 million of total working capital, which together are expected to provide ample liquidity to fund our current operations and a portion of our near-term development projects. As of December 31, 2021, we also had $15.2 million of restricted cash for payment primarily of construction-related costs for the Assai RNG facility.
In November 2021, we issued a redemption notice to the holders of our Redeemable Warrants. During the redemption period ending in December 2021, we received total proceeds of $107.7 million from the exercise of Redeemable Warrants.
To minimize dilution to our existing stockholders as a result of warrant exercises, we used cash proceeds received from exercises of Redeemable Warrants to repurchase 6,101,449 shares of Class A Common Stock from Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC at a pre-negotiated price of $17.65 per share for a total cost of $107.7 million.
For more information regarding our warrants and the redemption notice, see “Note 13 - Derivatives Instruments” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
New Credit Facilities
On the Closing Date and upon consummation of the Business Combinations, Archaea Borrower, entered into a $470 million New Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders co-arranged by Comerica Bank. The New Credit Agreement provides for the Revolver with an initial commitment of $250 million and a Term Loan with an initial commitment of $220 million. Pursuant to the New Credit Agreement, Archaea Borrower has the ability, subject to certain conditions, to draw upon the Revolver on a revolving basis up to the amount of the Revolver then in effect. On the Closing Date, the Company received total proceeds of $220 million under the Term Loan. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan of $218.6 million at an effective interest rate of 3.35% and has not drawn on the Revolver. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had issued letters of credit under the New Credit Agreement of $14.2 million, and thus reducing the borrowing capacity of the Revolver to $235.8 million. Under the Company's base 2022 capital expenditure budget, we expect to utilize a portion of available capacity under the Revolver to fund our near-term development projects.
Prior to the Archaea Merger, Legacy Archaea had certain other secured promissory notes and credit facilities in place which were extinguished at the closing of the Business Combinations.
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Summarized Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
Cash used in operating activities$(28,112)$(5,834)
Cash used in investing activities$(694,551)$(42,319)
Cash provided by financing activities$814,233 $49,226 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$91,570 $1,073 
Cash Used in Operating Activities
The Company generates cash from revenues and uses cash in its operating activities and for general and administrative expenses.
Total cash used in operating activities increased by $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was primarily related to higher general and administrative expenses due to increases in employee costs as we continue to build our business, and operating costs associated with the additions of Boyd County and PEI. Changes in other working capital accounts were approximately $24.7 million and related to the timing of revenue receipts, payable payments and combined company insurance programs.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
We continue to have significant cash outflows for investing activities as we expand our business and develop projects.
Total cash used in investing activities was $694.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition to the Aria Merger, we spent $147.3 million on development activities and $61.8 million, net of cash acquired, primarily related to the acquisition of a pipeline that will transport gas to our Assai facility and the acquisition of four operating LFG to renewable electricity facilities. Development activities in 2021 are related to construction at our various plants, including Assai and the Boyd County facility, as well as biogas rights acquisitions of $7.8 million. We also made contributions to equity method investments totaling $22.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in investing activities by Aria and Legacy Archaea, together, was $242.0 million, including purchases of property, plant and equipment totaling $141.8 million, primarily related to the development of our Assai and Boyd County RNG facilities, purchases of equipment for future development projects and certain asset acquisitions. Also during the year ended December 31, 2021, Aria and Legacy Archaea acquired certain assets for $61.8 million, acquired biogas rights for $7.8 million, and contributed $30.6 million into equity method investments. During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, purchases of property, plant and equipment totaled $51.3 million, which were primarily related to the development of our Assai facility and equipment purchased for future development projects.
Cash used in investing activities of $42.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to acquiring a majority position in GCES, acquiring biogas rights, and construction at the Assai production facility.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
The results of cash provided by financing activities is primarily attributable to cash proceeds from the Business Combinations, including the PIPE Financing and proceeds from the RAC trust account, borrowings from long-term debt under the 3.75% Notes, the 4.47% Notes, and the New Credit Agreement, offset by certain debt repayments. This resulted in net cash proceeds of $815.9 million. In addition, total proceeds of $107.7 million from the exercise of Redeemable Warrants were used to repurchase 6,101,449 shares of Class A Common Stock from Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC.
Cash provided by financing activities of $49.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 was comprised primarily of equity financing.
Operating Leases
The Company has entered into various operating leases for our corporate headquarters, other office space, warehouse, and facilities with third parties for periods ranging from one to eleven years. The Company also entered into a related-party office lease as a result of its acquisition of interest GCES in 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid $0.2 million under this related-party lease which expires in May 2022.
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Long Term Debt
Assai Energy 3.75% and 4.47% Senior Secured Notes
On January 15, 2021, Assai Energy, LLC (“Assai Energy”) entered into a senior secured note purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase of $72.5 million in principal amount of 3.75% Senior Secured Notes (the “3.75% Notes”). Interest on the 3.75% Notes is payable quarterly in arrears, and the 3.75% Notes mature on September 30, 2031. On April 5, 2021, Assai Energy entered into an additional senior secured note purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase of $60.8 million in principal amount of its 4.47% Senior Secured Notes (the “4.47% Notes” and, together with the 3.75% Notes, collectively the “Assai Notes”). Interest is payable quarterly in arrears, and the 4.47% Notes mature on September 30, 2041. As of December 31, 2021, Assai Energy received total proceeds of $133.4 million from the Assai Notes of which approximately $30 million was used to complete the acquisition of PEI. The remaining proceeds were used to fund the development of our Assai production facility.
Wilmington Trust, National Association is the collateral agent for the secured parties for the Assai Notes. The Assai Notes are secured by all Assai plant assets and plant revenues and a pledge of the equity interests of Assai Energy. Cash received from the Assai Notes is restricted for use on Assai related costs and cannot be used for general corporate purposes.
New Credit Facilities
On the Closing Date and upon consummation of the Business Combinations, Archaea Borrower entered into a $470 million New Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders co-arranged by Comerica Bank. The New Credit Agreement provides for the Revolver with an initial commitment of $250 million and a Term Loan with an initial commitment of $220 million. Pursuant to the New Credit Agreement, Archaea Borrower has the ability, subject to certain conditions, to draw upon the Revolver on a revolving basis up to the amount of the Revolver then in effect. On the Closing Date, the Company received total proceeds of $220 million under the Term Loan. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan of $218.6 million at an effective interest rate of 3.35% and has not drawn on the Revolver. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had issued letters of credit under the New Credit Agreement of $14.2 million, and thus reducing the borrowing capacity of the Revolver to $235.8 million.
Debt activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020 Borrowings RepaymentsDecember 31, 2021
Comerica Bank - Specific Advance Facility Note$4,319 $675 $(4,994)$— 
Comerica Bank - Previous Revolver— 12,478 (12,478)— 
Comerica Term Loan12,000 — (12,000)— 
New Credit Agreement - Term Loan— 220,000 (1,375)218,625 
New Credit Agreement - Revolver— — — — 
Wilmington Trust - 4.47% Term Note (1)
— 60,828 — 60,828 
Wilmington Trust - 3.75% Term Note (1)
— 72,542 — 72,542 
Promissory Notes— 30,000 (30,000)— 
Kubota Corporation - Term Notes46 — (46)— 
Total$16,365 $396,523 $(60,893)$351,995 

(1) Borrowings were used primarily for construction of the Assai facility.
See “Note 11 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company's debt instruments.
Material Cash Requirements
The Company has various long-term contractual commitments pertaining to certain of its biogas rights agreements that include annual minimum royalty and landfill gas rights payments. Annual minimum royalty and landfill gas rights payments generally begin when production commences and continue through the period of operations. For 2022, the expected annual minimum royalty and landfill gas rights payments are $5.4 million, and the annual commitment will
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increase as production commences from new facilities under development with biogas rights agreements that include minimum payment terms.
The Company has purchase commitments related to construction services and equipment purchases for the development and upgrade of facilities of $177.7 million as of December 31, 2021, with expected cash payments of $174.7 million and $3.0 million in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Significant Accounting Policies
This management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements. Our financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. For a discussion of our significant accounting policies, see “Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions used in our financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results form the basis for judgments we make about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because these estimates can vary depending on the situation, actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the financial statements.
We identify the most critical accounting policies as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations and that require the most difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments by management regarding estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies are associated with acquisition accounting and the judgment used in determining the fair value of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Accounting for Business Combinations
The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations, when accounting for acquisitions of a business under GAAP. Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interest, if applicable, are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Significant judgment is required in determining the acquisition date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, predominantly with respect to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets consisting of biogas contracts, existing purchase and sales contracts, trade names and customer relationships. Evaluations include numerous inputs, including forecasted cash flows that incorporate the specific attributes of each asset including future natural gas and electric prices, future Environmental Attribute pricing, cost inflation factors, and discount rates. For property, plant, and equipment, we consider the remaining useful life of equipment, current replacement costs for similar assets, and comparable market transactions. The Company evaluates all available information, as well as all appropriate methodologies, when determining the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interest, if applicable, in a business combination. In addition, once the appropriate fair values are determined, the Company must determine the remaining useful life for property, plant and equipment and the amortization period and method of amortization for each finite-lived intangible asset. The estimates of fair values of assets impact future depreciation and amortization and the initial amount of goodwill recorded.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of the Company’s recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted, see “Note 3 - Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards” of the consolidated financial statements appearing in this Annual Report Form on 10-K.
Inflation
The Company does not believe that inflation had a material impact on our business, revenues or operating results during the periods presented.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item. However, we note that we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with our power generation or with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. These risks primarily consist of commodity price risk, specifically electricity and RNG, counterparty credit risk and interest rate risk.
Commodity Price Risk
Changes in energy commodity prices, such as natural gas and wholesale electricity prices, could significantly affect our revenues and expenses. Changes in prices of Environmental Attributes could have a significant impact on our revenues. We seek to contract a majority of our RNG volumes under long-term fixed price off-take agreements. We believe these fixed-price arrangements will reduce our exposure to fluctuating energy and commodity prices, as well as the fluctuating prices of Environmental Attributes. However, if our costs were to rise unexpectedly, the revenue under our fixed-price contracts would remain constant, which may result in operating losses.
Counterparty Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. We monitor and manage credit risk through credit policies that include: (i) an established credit approval process, and (ii) the use of credit mitigation measures such as prepayment arrangements or volumetric limits. Risks surrounding counterparty performance and credit could ultimately impact the amount and timing of expected cash flows. We seek to mitigate counterparty risk by having a diversified portfolio of counterparties.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings under the New Credit Agreement. Interest on borrowings under the New Credit Agreement is based on LIBOR or alternative base rate plus an applicable rate as stated in the agreement. We entered into an interest rate swap to set the variable interest rate of a portion of the New Credit Agreement at a fixed interest rate to manage our interest rate risk.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We may enter into foreign currency derivative contracts to manage risk associated with anticipated foreign currency denominated transactions.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Archaea Energy Inc.

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG US LLP - PCAOB ID: 185)





Aria Energy LLC (Predecessor)
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG US LLP - PCAOB ID: 185)
Consolidated Balance Sheets – As of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – For the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Archaea Energy Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Archaea Energy Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 18, 2022
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
ASSETS


Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents$77,860 $1,496 
Restricted cash15,206 — 
Accounts receivable, net37,010 1,780 
Inventory9,164 — 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets21,225 4,730 
Total Current Assets160,465 8,006 
Property, plant and equipment, net350,583 52,368 
Intangible assets, net638,471 8,693 
Goodwill29,211 2,754 
Equity method investments262,738 — 
Other non-current assets9,721 2,460 
Total Assets$1,451,189 $74,281 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable - trade$11,096 $14,845 
Current portion of long-term debt, net11,378 1,302 
Accrued and other current liabilities46,279 8,270 
Total Current Liabilities68,753 24,417 
Long-term debt, net331,396 14,773 
Derivative liabilities67,424 — 
Below-market contracts142,630 — 
Asset retirement obligations4,677 306 
Other long-term liabilities5,316 3,294 
Total Liabilities620,196 42,790 
Commitments and Contingencies00
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests993,301 — 
Equity
Members' Equity— 34,930 
Members' Accumulated Deficit— (4,156)
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 authorized; none issued and outstanding— — 
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 65,122,200 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020— 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 190,000,000 shares authorized; 54,338,114 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020— 
Additional paid in capital— — 
Accumulated deficit(162,320)— 
Total Stockholders' Equity(162,308)— 
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests— 717 
Total Equity(162,308)31,491 
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity$1,451,189 $74,281 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations


Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)20212020
Revenues and Other Income


Energy revenue$67,871 $— 
Other revenue5,817 6,523 
Amortization of intangibles and below-market contracts3,438 — 
Total Revenues and Other Income77,126 6,523 
Equity Investment Income, Net5,653 — 
Cost of Sales
Cost of energy41,626 — 
Cost of other revenues4,862 4,752 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion16,025 137 
Total Cost of Sales62,513 4,889 
General and administrative expenses43,827 4,371 
Operating Income (Loss)(23,561)(2,737)
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense, net(4,797)(20)
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts(3,727)— 
Other income (expense)1,164 521 
Total Other Income (Expense)(7,360)501 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes(30,921)(2,236)
Income tax benefit— — 
Net Income (Loss)(30,921)(2,236)
Net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests(712)236 
Net income (loss) attributable to Legacy Archaea(18,744)(2,472)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests(6,312)— 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Class A Common Stock$(5,153)$— 
Net income (loss) per Class A common share:
Net income (loss) – basic (1)
$(0.09)$— 
Net income (loss) – diluted (1)
$(0.09)$— 
Weighted average shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding:
Basic (1)
56,465,786 — 
Diluted (1)
56,465,786 — 
(1) Class A Common Stock is outstanding beginning September 15, 2021 due to the reverse recapitalization transaction as described in Note 4.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
Consolidated Statements of Equity

Total Equity


Total Stockholders' Equity
(in thousands)
Redeemable Noncontrolling
Interests
Members' Equity

Members' Accumulated Deficit
Class A
Common
Stock

Class B
Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Accumulated
Deficit

Nonredeemable Noncontrolling
Interests

Total
Equity
Balance - January 1, 2020$— $2,470 $(1,683)$— $— $— $— $— $787 
Net income (loss)— — (2,473)— — — — 237 (2,236)
Members' equity contributions— 32,460 — — — — — — 32,460 
Noncontrolling interest in acquired business acquisition— — — — — — — 480 480 
Balance - December 31, 2020— 34,930 

(4,156)— 

— 

— 

— 

717 

31,491 
Net income (loss) prior to Closing— — 

(18,744)— 

— 

— 

— 

(534)

(19,278)
Members' equity contributions— 70 

— — 

— 

— 

— 

— 

70 
Share-based compensation expense prior to Closing— 2,349 

— — 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2,349 
Reclassification in connection with reverse recapitalization— (37,349)22,900 — 37,346 (22,900)— — 
Net cash contribution from the reverse recapitalization and PIPE Financing, net of warrant liability— — 

— 


346,266 — 

— 

346,272 
Issuance of Class B Common Stock in Aria Merger— — 

— — 


394,908 

— 

— 

394,910 
Reclassification to redeemable noncontrolling interest408,762 — — — — (431,662)22,900 — (408,762)
Warrant exercises— — — — 193,540 — — 193,541 
Exchange of Class A Opco Units and Class B Common Stock for Class A Common Stock(132,720)— — (1)132,720 — — 132,720 
Retirement of Class A Common Stock— — — — — — (107,690)— (107,690)
Share-based compensation expense— — — — — 2,721 — — 2,721 
Shares withheld for taxes on net settled awards— — — — — (950)— — (950)
Net income (loss) after Closing(6,312)— — — — — (5,153)(178)(5,331)
Acquisition of nonredeemable noncontrolling interests— — — — — (795)— (5)(800)
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests to redemption amount723,571 — — — — (674,094)(49,477)— (723,571)
Balance - December 31, 2021$993,301 $— 

$— $

$

$— 

$(162,320)

$— 

$(162,308)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)2021

2020
Cash flows from operating activities



Net income (loss)$(30,921)

$(2,236)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense16,025 

137 
Amortization of debt issuance costs1,309 

— 
Amortization of intangibles and below-market contracts(1,479)

— 
Bad debt expense353 

76 
Return on investment in equity method investments8,273 

— 
Equity in earnings of equity method investments(5,653)

— 
Total (gains) losses on derivatives, net3,727 

— 
Net cash received in settlement of derivatives80 — 
Forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Loan(201)

(491)
Stock-based compensation expense5,071 

— 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable(6,940)

(1,385)
Inventory(149)

— 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(7,660)

(3,252)
Accounts payable - trade(211)

(246)
Accrued and other liabilities276 

1,563 
Other non-current assets(4,231)— 
Other long-term liabilities(5,781)— 
Net cash used in operating activities(28,112)

(5,834)
Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of Aria, net of cash acquired(463,334)

— 
Acquisition of assets and businesses, excluding Aria(61,830)

(14,249)
Additions to property, plant and equipment(139,467)

(20,169)
Purchases of biogas rights(7,802)

(7,901)
Contributions to equity method investments(22,175)

— 
Return of investment in equity method investments57 

— 
Net cash used in investing activities(694,551)

(42,319)
Cash flows from financing activities

Borrowings on line of credit agreement12,478 

— 
Repayments on line of credit agreement(12,478)

— 
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs367,930 

16,075 
Repayments of long-term debt(48,415)

— 
Proceeds from PPP Loan— 

691 
Proceeds from reverse recapitalization and PIPE Financing496,425 

— 
Capital contributions70 

32,460 
Proceeds from Warrant exercises for Class A Common Stock107,663 — 
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock(107,690)— 
Taxes paid on net share settled stock-based compensation awards(950)— 
Acquisition of nonredeemable noncontrolling interest(800)

— 
Net cash provided by financing activities814,233 

49,226 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash91,570 

1,073 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period1,496 

423 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period$93,066 

$1,496 
Supplemental cash flow information

Cash paid for interest (1)
$3,903 

$44 
Non-cash investing activities

Accruals of property, plant and equipment and biogas rights incurred but not paid$20,296 

$17,542 
(1) Net of capitalized interest of $7.9 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - Organization and Description of Business
Archaea Energy Inc. (“Archaea”), a Delaware corporation (formerly named Rice Acquisition Corp.), is one of the largest RNG producers in the U.S., with an industry-leading RNG platform primarily focused on capturing and converting waste emissions from landfills and anaerobic digesters into low-carbon RNG and electricity. As of December 31, 2021, Archaea owns, through wholly-owned entities or joint ventures, a diversified portfolio of 29 LFG recovery and processing facilities across 18 states, including 11 operated facilities that produce pipeline-quality RNG and 18 LFG to renewable electricity production facilities, including one non-operated facility and 1 facility that is not operational.
Archaea develops, designs, constructs, and operates RNG facilities. Archaea has entered into long-term agreements with biogas site hosts which grant the rights to utilize gas produced at their sites and to construct and operate facilities on their sites to produce RNG and renewable electricity.
On September 15, 2021, the CompanyArchaea consummated the previously announced business combinations pursuant to (i) the Business Combination Agreement, dated April 7, 2021 (as amended, the “Aria Merger Agreement”), by and among Rice Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“RAC”), Rice Acquisition Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct subsidiary of RAC (“RAC Opco”), LFG Intermediate Co, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct subsidiary of RAC Opco (“RAC Intermediate”), LFG Buyer Co, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct subsidiary of RAC Intermediate (“RAC Buyer”), Inigo Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct subsidiary of RAC Buyer (“Aria Merger Sub”), Aria Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Aria”), and Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to which, among other things, Aria Merger Sub was merged with and into Aria, with Aria surviving the merger and becoming a direct subsidiary of RAC Buyer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the transactions contemplated by the Aria Merger Agreement, the “Aria Merger”), and (ii) the Business Combination Agreement, dated April 7, 2021 (as amended, the “Archaea Merger Agreement” and, together with the Aria Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination Agreements”), by and among RAC, RAC Opco, RAC Intermediate, RAC Buyer, Fezzik Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct subsidiary of RAC Buyer (“Archaea Merger Sub”), Archaea Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Archaea Energy II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Legacy Archaea”), pursuant to which, among other things, Archaea Merger Sub was merged with and into Legacy Archaea, with Legacy Archaea surviving the merger and becoming a direct subsidiary of RAC Buyer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the transactions contemplated by the Archaea Merger Agreement, the “Archaea Merger” and, together with the Aria Merger, the “Business Combinations”). As further discussed in Note“Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization, Legacy Archaea was determined to be the accounting acquirer of the Business Combinations, and Aria was determined to be the predecessor to the Company.

Pursuant Unless the context otherwise requires, “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer, for periods prior to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, on September 15, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), the Business Combination was consummated (the “Closing”).

As a resultcompletion of the Business Combination, among other things, Nicholas Stork was appointed as Chief Executive OfficerCombinations, to Legacy Archaea and its subsidiaries and, for periods upon or after the completion of the CompanyBusiness Combinations, to Archaea Energy Inc. and Eric Javidi was appointed as Chief Financial Officerits subsidiaries, including Legacy Archaea and Aria Energy LLC.

Archaea has retained its “up-C” structure, whereby (i) all of the Company, effective as ofequity interests in Aria and Legacy Archaea are held indirectly by Opco through RAC Buyer and RAC Intermediate, (ii) Archaea’s only assets are its equity interests in Opco, and (iii) Sponsor, Atlas, the Closing.

Unless stated otherwise, this report contains information about RAC beforeindependent directors, the Legacy Archaea Holders and the Aria Holders own economic interests directly in Opco. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination. References toCombinations, Rice Acquisition Holdings LLC was renamed LFG Acquisition Holdings LLC. In accordance with ASC 810 - Consolidation, Opco is considered a VIE with Archaea as its sole managing member and primary beneficiary. As such, Archaea consolidates Opco, and the “Company”remaining unitholders that hold economic interests directly in this report refer to RAC before the consummation of the Business Combination or Archaea Energy Inc. after the Business Combination,Opco are presented as the context suggests.

Second Restatement Background

Inredeemable noncontrolling interests on the Company’s previouslyfinancial statements.

Opco issued financial statements, a portion of the redeemable shares ofadditional Class A common stock of the Company (the “public shares”) issuedOpco Units as part of the units soldconsideration in the Company’s initial public offering were classified as permanent equityBusiness Combinations. Subsequent to maintain stockholders’ equity greater than $5,000,000 on the basis thatBusiness Combinations, transactions impacting the Company will consummate its initial business combination only if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001. Thus, the Company can only complete a merger and continue to exist as a public company if there are sufficient public shares that do not redeem at the merger and so it is appropriate to classify the portion of its public shares required to keep its stockholders’ equity above the $5,000,000 threshold as “shares not subject to redemption.”

Following the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements as of and for quarterly period ended September 30, 2021, the Company further evaluated the SEC and its staff’s guidance on redeemable equity instruments in ASC 480-10-S99. Previously, the Company did not consider redeemable stock classified as temporary equity as part of net tangible assets. Effective with these financial statements, the Company revised this interpretation to include temporary equity in net tangible assets. As a result, the Company determined that the public shares include certain redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company that, under ASC 480-10-S99, require such shares to be classified outside of permanent equity. In addition, in connection with the change in presentationownership of Class A common stock, the Company determined it should restate its earnings per share calculationOpco Units resulted from Redeemable Warrant exercises, repurchases from Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC, redemption of certain other Class A Opco Units in exchange for Class A Common Stock, and issuances related to allocate income and losses shares pro rata between the two classesvested RSUs. The ownership structure of shares. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of shares share pro rata in the income and lossesOpco upon closing of the Company.

Therefore, on December 28, 2021, the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Audit Committee”), after discussion with the Company’s management, concluded that the Company’s previously issued (i) audited balance sheet as of October 26, 2020 included in Amendment No. 1, (ii) audited financial statementsBusiness Combinations and as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 included in Amendment No. 1, (iii) unaudited interim financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021, included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 26, 2021 and (iv) unaudited interim financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 13, 2021 should be restated to report all public shares as temporary equity and should no longer be relied upon.

Items Amended in this Amendment No. 2

For the convenience of the reader, this Amendment No. 2 amends and restates Amendment No. 1 in its entirety (which had amended and restated the Original Filing in its entirety). As a result, this Amendment No. 2 includes both items that have been changed as a result of the restatement described above and the restatement described in Amendment No. 1 as well as items that are unchanged from the Original Filing. The following items have been amended in this Amendment No. 2 to reflect the restatement described above:

Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors
Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

In addition, in accordance with applicable SEC rules, this Amendment No. 2 includes new certifications required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act from our Chief Executive Officer (as principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (as principal financial officer) dated as of the filing date of this Amendment No. 2.

Amendment No. 1 had amended and restated the Original Filing in its entirety, and the only items that were amended in Amendment No. 1 were those listed below. Amendment No. 1 also included certifications from the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, which were dated as of the filing date of Amendment No. 1.

Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors

Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Part II, Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Except as described above, this Amendment No. 2 does not amend, update or change any other items or disclosures in Amendment No. 1. This Amendment No. 2 does not purport to reflect any information or events subsequentgives rise to the filing dateredeemable noncontrolling interest at Archaea, is as follows:

61

Table of Contents

ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2021September 15, 2021
Equity HolderClass A Opco Units% InterestClass A Opco Units% Interest
Archaea65,122,200 54.5 %52,847,195 45.9 %
Total controlling interests65,122,200 54.5 %52,847,195 45.9 %
Aria Holders15,056,379 12.6 %23,000,000 20.0 %
Legacy Archaea Holders33,350,385 27.9 %33,350,385 29.0 %
Sponsor, Atlas and RAC independent directors5,931,350 5.0 %5,931,350 5.2 %
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests54,338,114 45.5 %62,281,735 54.1 %
Total119,460,314 100.0 %115,128,930 100.0 %
Holders of Class A Opco Units other than Archaea have the Original Filing (except as noted in Amendment No. 1 with respect to the restatement described therein). As such, this Amendment No. 2 speaks only as of the date the Original Filing was filed, and we have not undertaken herein to amend, supplement or update any information contained in the Original Filing to give effect to any subsequent events. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 2 should be read in conjunction with our filings made with the SEC subsequent to the filing of the Original Filing.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
CERTAIN TERMSii
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSiv
SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORSv
PART I1
Item 1.Business1
Item 1A.Risk Factors (Restated)19
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments52
Item 2.Properties52
Item 3.Legal Proceedings52
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures52
PART II53
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities53
Item 6.Selected Financial Data54
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Restated)54
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk59
Item 8.Consolidated Financial Statements And Supplementary Data (Restated)59
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure59
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures (Restated)59
PART III60
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance60
Item 11.Executive Compensation68
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters69
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence71
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services75
PART IV76
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules (Restated)76
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary77

i

CERTAIN TERMS

Unless otherwise stated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”right (a “redemption right”), or the context otherwise requires, references to:

“Affiliated Joint Acquisition” are to an acquisition opportunity jointly with our sponsor, or one or more affiliates, including Rice Investment Group and/or one or more of its portfolio companies;

“Atlas Point Fund” are to Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

“Common stock” are to our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock, collectively;

“equity-linked securities” are to any securities of our company or any of our subsidiaries which are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, equity securities of our company or such subsidiary, including any securities issued by our company or any of our subsidiaries which are pledged to secure any obligation of any holder to purchase equity securities of our company or any of our subsidiaries, and including Opco Units;

“forward purchase agreement” are to the agreement that provides for the sale of the forward purchase securities to Atlas Point Fund in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of our initial business combination;

“forward purchase securities” are to either the forward purchase units valued at $10.00 per unit or the forward purchase shares valued at $9.67 per share, which may be issued at our discretion pursuant to the forward purchase agreement;

“forward purchase shares” are to our Class A common stock that may be issued pursuant to the forward purchase agreement;

“forward purchase units” are to the units, consisting of one share of our Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant that may be issued pursuant to the forward purchase agreement;

“forward purchase warrants” are to the warrants that may be sold as part of the forward purchase units pursuant to the forward purchase agreement;

“founder shares” are to the Class B Units of Opco initially issued in a private placement to our sponsor prior to our initial public offering (or the Class A Units of Opco into which such Class B Units will convert) and a corresponding number of shares of our non-economic Class B common stock;

“initial stockholders” are to holders of our founder shares and sponsor shares prior to our initial public offering, including Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC;

“management” or our “management team” are to our officers and directors;

“Opco” is to Rice Acquisition Holdings LLC;

“Opco Units” are to the Class A Units and Class B Units of Opco;

“private placement warrants” are to the warrants issued to our sponsor and Atlas Point Fund in private placements simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering;

“public shares” are to shares of our Class A common stock sold as part of the units in our initial public offering and, unless otherwise stated herein, the 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock forming part of the sponsor shares, which collectively represent 100% of the economic interests in Rice Acquisition Corp.;

ii

“public stockholders” are to the holders of our public shares, including our initial stockholders and management team to the extent our initial stockholders and/or members of our management team purchase public shares, provided that each initial stockholder’s and member of our management team’s status as a “public stockholder” shall only exist with respect to such public shares;

“public warrants” are to the warrants sold as part of the units in our initial public offering;

“Rice Investment Group” is a multi-strategy fund controlled by the Rice family and other members of our management focused on a diverse array of energy related investments, including energy transition investments;

“sponsor” are to Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Our sponsor is controlled by its managing members, Daniel Joseph Rice, IV and J. Kyle Derham, and owned by members of our management and other individuals, and is an affiliate of Rice Investment Group;

“sponsor shares” are to the 100 Class A Units of Opco and corresponding number of shares of our non-economic Class B common stock (which together will be exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock after our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis) and the 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock purchased by our sponsor in a private placement prior to our initial public offering; and

“we,” “us,” “company” or “our company” are to Rice Acquisition Corp. and Opco.

iii

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report, including, without limitation, statements under the heading “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. There can be no assurance that actual results will not materially differ from expectations. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our ability to consummate any acquisition or other business combination and any other statements that are not statements of current or historical facts. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including, but not limited to:

our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses;

our ability to complete an initial business combination;

our expectations around the performance of the prospective target business or businesses;

our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;

our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination;

our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;

our pool of prospective target businesses;

our ability to consummate an initial business combination due to the uncertainty resulting from the recent COVID-19 pandemic and other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or other significant outbreaks of infectious diseases);

the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;

our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;

the lack of a market for our securities;

the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance;

the trust account not being subject to claims of third parties; or

our financial performance following our initial public offering.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” may not be exhaustive.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Report, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

iv

SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS

The following is a summary of the principal risks described below in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We believe that the risks described in the “Risk Factors” section are material to investors, but other factors not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also adversely affect us. The following summary should not be considered an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing us, and it should be read in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” section and the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We are a recently formed blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

Past performance by the Rice family, Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies and our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company. In addition, none of our officers or directors have served as a sponsor, director or officer of any blank check companies or special purpose acquisition companies in the past.

Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.

In evaluating a prospective target business for our initial business combination, our management may consider the availability of funds from the sale of the forward purchase securities, which may be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the initial business combination. If Atlas Point Fund decides not to accept our offer to purchase the forward purchase securities, we may decide not to consummate our initial business combination, or if we decide to, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination.

Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial stockholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.

The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.

The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your stock.

Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.

We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public stockholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

v

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares or public warrants from public stockholders or public warrantholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float” of our Class A common stock.

If a stockholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.

You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.

The NYSE may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our Class A common stock, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 20% of our Class A common stock.

Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

If the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our warrants will expire worthless.

If the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team to fund our search for a business combination, to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco and to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.

Subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our stock price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

vi

PART I

Item 1.Business

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this Report as our initial business combination. We are an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, we are subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

In September 2020, our Sponsor paid $25,000certain limitations, to cover certain of our expenses in exchange for (i) 5,750,100 shares of our Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) 2,500 shares of ourredeem Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Also in September 2020, the Sponsor received 5,750,000 Class BOpco Units of Opco (which are profits interest units only). In October 2020, the Sponsor forfeited 90,000 Class B Units of Opco, and 30,000 Class B Units of Opco were issued to each of the independent directors. The Sponsor transferred a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock to the independent directors. In October 2020, the Company effected a dividend, resulting in an aggregate ofCommon Stock for, at Opco’s option, (i) 6,181,350 shares of our Class B common stock, and (ii) 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the dividend. Upon a liquidation of Opco, distributions generally will be made to the holders of Opco UnitsCommon Stock on a pro rataone-for-one basis, subject to certain limitationsadjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) a corresponding amount of cash.

NOTE 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
These consolidated financial statements and notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results for the periods presented. The Company's accounting policies conform to GAAP and have been consistently applied in the presentation of financial statements. The Company's consolidated financial statements include all wholly-owned subsidiaries and all variable interest entities with respect to the Class B Units of Opco, including that, prior to the completion of the initial business combination, such Class B Units will not be entitled to participate in a liquidating distribution.

On October 26, 2020,which the Company consummated its initial public offeringdetermined it is the primary beneficiary.

The Archaea Merger with RAC was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization with Legacy Archaea deemed the accounting acquirer, and therefore, there was no step-up to fair value of 23,725,000 units, including 2,225,000 units thatany RAC assets or liabilities and no goodwill or other intangible assets were issued pursuant torecorded. The Aria Merger was accounted for using the underwriters’ partial exerciseacquisition method of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $237.3 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $12.5 million, inclusive of $7.6 million in deferred underwriting commissions. Of the 23,725,000 units sold, affiliates of our Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund had purchased 1,980,000 units (the “Affiliated Units”) and 2,128,500 units (the “Atlas Units”), respectively, at the initial public offering price. The underwriters did not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions on the 1,980,000 Affiliated Units. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment.

Simultaneouslyaccounting with the closing of our initial public offering, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 6,771,000 warrants (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of approximately $6.8 million. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of our Class A common stock or, in certain circumstances, one Class A Unit of Opco together with a corresponding number of shares of our non-economic Class B common stock, subject to certain adjustments.

Market Opportunity

We intend to focus our search for a target business in the broadly defined energy transition or sustainability arena. Specifically, we plan to concentrate our search on supply-side solutions and innovations that enable the economy to decarbonize in sectors that include renewable fuels, sustainable chemical production and feedstocks, carbon capture, utilization and storage technology and equipment, applications, infrastructure and technology focused on reducing the carbon intensity of fuels, energy production methods, and industrial processes. We believe the recent capital market and investment activity directed at energy transition has focused on end-market applications such as vehicle electrification, energy efficiency for consumers and sustainable and eco-conscious products. These trends are important to the overall success of the energy transition; however, their adoption and commercial development require more focus on the production and supply of clean fuels, sustainable energy and industrial applications and infrastructure. We believe traditional renewable electricity generation from wind and solar will continue growing market share. These sources are ultimately limited by geography and intermittency, and will not solve the renewable energy needs of several sub-sectors of the economy less likely to electrify. Our focus on renewable fuels and sustainable chemical production will serve to bolster and complement the rapid development of wind and solar. Our management’s history and track-record of owning and building successful energy production companies provides us with unique and differentiated insights into how the traditional fossil fuel-based energy value chain is changing to accommodate for a lower carbon footprint and a more sustainable future.


The potential growth in the production and consumption of sustainable fuels, including renewable natural gas (“RNG”), blue and green hydrogen, renewable diesel, renewable jet fuel, low or zero-carbon synthetic fuels and fuels that incorporate carbon capture, utilization and storage represents a significant market opportunity. We believe the widespread adoption of renewable fuels by major sectors of the economy such as freight, air and marine transportation, residential and industrial heating and power generation and energy storage will create a profound disruption resulting in a very large addressable market. The carbon intensity of energy and industrial production methods is one of the main drivers for the adoption of renewable and low-carbon fuels. For example, traditional cement and steel production is very energy intensive and pollutant and can be decarbonized using clean fuels in heat generation and carbon capture, utilization and storage to reduce process-related emissions.

In addition, the infrastructure, industrial and technological requirements to increase the market penetration of sustainable fuels also present tremendous opportunity. Equipment, applications and installations such as anaerobic digesters that produce RNG, biodiesel plants that manufacture renewable diesel and electrolyzers that generate clean hydrogen needAria deemed to be scaled up to handle increased demandthe acquiree for accounting purposes. The Company also determined that Aria is the Company's predecessor and compete in markets including and beyondtherefore has included the transportation sector.

Large publicly traded companies inhistorical financial statements of Aria as predecessor beginning on page 93. The Company recorded the energy, utility and waste management sectors have made significant investments in renewable energy production and infrastructure projects to meet their own emission reduction targets and adapt to changing regulatory frameworks and customer preferences. The advent of RNG, renewable diesel and blue and green hydrogen and technologies on carbon capture, utilization and storage will further increase the range of applications and use cases for renewable and zero-emission fuels over the longer term.

Furthermore, sustainable chemicals and materials also represent large addressable markets that displace carbon intensive fossil fuel-based products with lower emission sustainable alternatives. Petrochemicals can be replaced using biomass and recycled waste products as feedstock. The production of building materials can be decarbonized using recycling technologies and novel circular production methods that convert traditional waste products into valuable energy and/or feedstock sources.

Business Strategy

Our acquisition andfair value creation strategy is to identify, acquire and, after our initial business combination, build a company whose principal effort is developing and advancing the objectives of global decarbonization while generating attractive risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. Our acquisition strategy leverages our management team’s and Rice Investment Group’s network of potential proprietary and public transaction sources where we believe a combination of our relationships, knowledge and experience in the renewable and energy industries could effect a positive transformation or augmentation of existing businesses or properties. Our goal is to build a focused business with multiple competitive advantages that have the potential to improve the target business’s overall value proposition. We plan to utilize the network and industry experience of our management team and Rice Investment Group in seeking an initial business combination and employing our acquisition strategy. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team and their affiliates, including Rice Investment Group, have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships that we believe will serve as a useful source of acquisition opportunities. In addition to industry and lending community relationships, we plan to leverage relationships with management teams of public and private companies, investment bankers, restructuring advisers, attorneys and accountants, which we believe should provide us with a number of business combination opportunities.

Our management team and board of directors have an extensive network of contacts that they will leverage in their efforts in identifying an attractive target with operations in a Sustainability related sector. We believe this existing network and long history of working together are advantages in sourcing potential business combination targets. We also believe that our management team’s reputation, experience and track record will make us a preferred counterparty for public and private companies with operations in a Sustainability related sector. We also believe many privately held and publicly traded companies consider the Rice Investment Group to be a trustworthy partner and recognize the firm’s ability to support value and enhance returns.


Acquisition Criteria

Consistent with our business strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective targets for our initial business combination. We use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet these criteria and guidelines. We intend to acquire target businesses that we believe:

operate in high growth, large addressable markets with favorable long-term market dynamics;

display differentiated business attributes and/or product offerings that provide us confidence on the long-term prospects and profitability of the company;

are fundamentally sound and can benefit from a partnership with us by leveraging the operational, transactional, financial, managerial and investment experience of our management team and Rice Investment Group;

can utilize the extensive networks and insights that our management team and Rice Investment Group have built in the renewable and energy industry;

are at an inflection point, such as requiring additional management expertise, are able to innovate through new operational techniques, or where we believe we can drive improved financial performance;

exhibit unrecognized value or other characteristics, desirable returns on capital, and a need for capital to achieve the company’s growth strategy, that we believe have been misevaluated by the marketplace based on our analysis and due diligence review; and

will offer an attractive risk-adjusted return for our stockholders.

Potential upside from growth in the target business and an improved capital structure will be weighed against any identified downside risks.

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our stockholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this Report, would be in the form of proxy solicitation or tender offer materials that we would file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Initial Business Combination

The NYSE rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in trust (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in trust) at the timeacquired from Aria as of the agreement to enter intoBusiness Combination Closing Date, and goodwill was recorded. See “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization” for additional information regarding the initial business combination. Our board will makeArchaea Merger and Aria Merger.

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the determination as to the fair market valueassets, liabilities and results of a target business or businesses. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of a target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a memberoperations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., or FINRA, or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board will not be able to make an independent determinationCompany and its consolidated subsidiaries beginning on September 15, 2021, which includes approximately 3.5 months of the fair market value of a target business or businesses, it may be unable to do so if the board is less familiar or experienced with the target company’s business or there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the valuecombined results of the company’sbusinesses of Legacy Archaea and Aria as operated by the Company after the Business Combination for the year ended December 31, 2021. The consolidated assets, or prospects.


We may pursue an acquisition opportunity jointly with our sponsor, or one or more affiliates, including Rice Investment Group and/or one or moreliabilities and results of its portfolio companies, which we refer to as an “Affiliated Joint Acquisition.” Any such parties may co-invest with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the acquisition by issuing to such parties a class of equity or equity-linked securities. Our sponsor and its affiliates have no obligation to make any such investment, and may compete with us for potential business combinations. Any such issuance of equity or equity-linked securities would, on a fully diluted basis, reduce the percentage ownership of our then-existing stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of our founder shares, issuances or deemed issuances of our Class A common stock or equity-linked securities would result in an adjustment to the number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco will convert (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding founder shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that, after all founder shares have been exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock, the aggregate number of shares of our Class A common stock received by holders in exchange for founder shares would equal 20% of the sum of the total outstanding shares of common stock following the completion of our initial public offering plus all shares of our Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the business combination (excluding the forward purchase securities and any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the business combination and excluding the sponsor shares).

We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that we will control 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses or (ii) in such a way so that we control less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons, including an Affiliated Joint Acquisition as described above. However, we will only complete a business combination if we control 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise are not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Even if we control 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholdersoperations prior to the business combination may collectively ownSeptember 15, 2021 reverse recapitalization are those of Legacy Archaea, the accounting acquirer.

The Company has determined that Opco is a minority interestVIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company consolidates Opco, and ownership interests of Opco not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable noncontrolling interests due to certain features of the redemption right. See “Note 16 - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity.” Entities that are majority-owned by Opco are consolidated. Certain investments in entities are accounted for as equity method investments and included separately in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the targetCompany’s consolidated balance sheets.
All intercompany balances and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial numbertransactions have been eliminated.
62

Table of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If we control less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses, the portion of such business or businesses thatContents

ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is controlled is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for seeking stockholder approval or for purposes of a tender offer, as applicable.

Our Acquisition Process

In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review that will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, inspection of facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information that will be made available to us. We will also utilize our transactional, financial, managerial and investment experience.

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with or from a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, including a portfolio company of Rice Investment Group, or from entering into an agreement with our sponsor, officers or directors or their affiliates with respect to the operation of any business we acquire in connection with the initial business combination. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.


Members of our management team and our independent directors directly or indirectly own founder shares, sponsor shares and/or private placement warrants and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.

Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such other entity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our business combination. In addition, we may pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the acquisition by issuing to such entity a class of equity or equity-linked securities. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.

In addition, members of our sponsor, as well as Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies may sponsor other blank check companies similar to ours during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination, and members of our management team may participate in such blank check companies. In particular, an affiliate of Rice Investment Group has formed Rice Acquisition Corp. II (“Rice II”), a blank check company like our company that was formed to consummate an initial business combination. Like us, Rice II intends to focus its search for a target business in the energy transition or sustainability arena. As of the date of this filing, Rice II has not completed its initial public offering and does not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any such companies, including Rice II, may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an acquisition target, particularly in the event there is overlap among the management teams. Mr. Rice also serves as a director and officer of Rice II, and Mr. Derham also serves as an officer and is a director nominee of Rice II. However, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Each of Mr. Rice and Mr. Derham has agreed not to become an officer or director of any other special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering. Neither Mr. Rice nor Mr. Derham has been involved with any blank check companies prior to our company.

We have filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.

Our Management Team

Members of our management team are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time that any members of our management team will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the current stage of the business combination process.

We believe our management team’s operating and transaction experience and relationships with companies will provide us with a substantial number of potential business combination targets. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships around the world. This network has grown through the activities of our management team sourcing, acquiring and financing businesses, our management team’s relationships with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions. See the section of this Report entitled “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” for a more complete description of our management team’s experience.


Status as a Public Company

We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination with us. In a business combination transaction with us, the owners of the target business may, for example, exchange their shares of stock, shares or other equity interests in the target business for shares of our Class A common stock (or shares of a new holding company), Opco Units (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) or for a combination of shares of our Class A common stock, Opco Units (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. Although there are various costs and obligations associated with being a public company, we believe target businesses will find this method a more certain and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. The typical initial public offering process takes a significantly longer period of time than the typical business combination transaction process, and there are significant expenses in the initial public offering process, including underwriting discounts and commissions, that may not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us.

Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is completed, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions, which could delay or prevent the offering from occurring or could have negative valuation consequences. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital, an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with stockholders’ interests and the ability to use its equity as currency for acquisitions. Being a public company can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.

While we believe that our structure and our management team’s backgrounds make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our ability to seek stockholder approval of any proposed initial business combination, negatively.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion (as adjusted for inflation pursuant to SEC rules from time to time), or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(0(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (i) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.


Financial Position

Upon the closing of our initial public offering, approximately $237.3 million of the net proceeds were placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of aJumpstart Our Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account. Because we are able to complete our business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.

Effecting Our Initial Business Combination

We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following our initial public offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering and the private placement warrants and forward purchase securities, our capital stock, debt or a combination of the foregoing. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses. Although our management will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business with which we may combine, we cannot assure you that this assessment will result in our identifying all risks that a target business may encounter. Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of our control, meaning that we can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely affect a target business.

If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of purchases of our Class A common stock, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.

We may need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination, either because the transaction requires more cash than is available from the proceeds held in our trust account or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of the business combination, or if Atlas Point Fund decides not to exercise its right to purchase all of the forward purchase securities, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by applicable law, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to issue securities or incur debt in connection with our initial business combination. We are not currently a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities, the incurrence of debt or otherwise.


Sources of Target Businesses

Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this Report and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the track record and business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of a finder’s fee is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. We have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services and to reimburse our sponsor for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination. Some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-transaction company following our initial business combination. The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an acquisition candidate.

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with or from a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, including a portfolio company of Rice Investment Group, or making the acquisition through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors or their affiliates, including Rice Investment Group and/or one or more of its portfolio companies. We are also not prohibited from entering into an agreement with our sponsor, officers or directors or their affiliates with respect to the operation of any business we acquire in connection with the initial business combination. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.

As more fully discussed in the section of this Report entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us. We may pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the acquisition by issuing to such entity a class of equity or equity-linked securities.

Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of our Initial Business Combination

The NYSE rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in trust (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in trust) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. The fair market value of the target or targets will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as discounted cash flow valuation or value of comparable businesses. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We do not intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination. Subject to this requirement, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.


In any case, we will only complete an initial business combination in which we control 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise are not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we control less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses, the portion of such business or businesses that are controlled is what will be valued for purposes of the NYSE’s 80% of net assets test. There is no basis for investors to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our business combination.

To the extent we effect our business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.

In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review, which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as applicable, as well as a review of financial, operational, legal and other information which will be made available to us. If we determine to move forward with a particular target, we will proceed to structure and negotiate the terms of the business combination transaction.

Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of, and negotiation with, a prospective target business with which our business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination. The Company will not pay any consulting fees to members of our management team, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to or in connection with our initial business combination.

Redemption Rights for Public Stockholders upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination

We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of our Class A common stock upon the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.), subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Pursuant to the Opco LLC Agreement and a letter agreement that our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers and directors have entered into with us, they have agreed that any founder shares and sponsor shares held by them will not be entitled to redemption rights, and they will waive any such redemption rights for any public shares held by them, in connection with the completion of our business combination. In connection with the redemption of any public shares, a corresponding number of Class A Units of Opco held by us will also be redeemed.

Limitations on Redemptions

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). However, the proposed business combination may require (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of our Class A common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, and all shares of our Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof.


Manner of Conducting Redemptions

We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of our Class A common stock upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek stockholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. Asset acquisitions and stock purchases would not typically require stockholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our outstanding common stock or seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would require stockholder approval. If we structure a business combination transaction with a target business in a manner that requires stockholder approval, we will not have discretion as to whether to seek a stockholder vote to approve the proposed business combination. We currently intend to conduct redemptions in connection with a stockholder vote unless stockholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other legal reasons.

If we hold a stockholder vote to approve our initial business combination, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:

conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and

file proxy materials with the SEC.

In the event that we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public stockholders with the redemption rights described above upon completion of the initial business combination.

If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting. Our initial stockholders will count toward this quorum and have agreed to vote their founder shares and any public shares in favor of our initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding shares of common stock voted, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares and sponsor shares, we would need 8,896,875, or 37.5%, of the 23,725,000 public shares sold in our initial public offering to be voted in favor of a transaction (assuming all outstanding shares are voted) in order to have our initial business combination approved. We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial stockholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether it votes for or against the proposed transaction. In addition, pursuant to the Opco LLC Agreement and a letter agreement that our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers and directors have entered into with us, they have agreed that any founder shares and sponsor shares held by them will not be entitled to redemption rights, and they will waive any such redemption rights for any public shares held by them, in connection with the completion of a business combination.

If we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:

conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and

file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies. Although we are not required to do so, we currently intend to comply with the substantive and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A in connection with any stockholder vote even if we are not able to maintain our NYSE listing or Exchange Act registration.


Upon the public announcement of our business combination, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the open market if we elect to redeem our public shares through a tender offer, to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.

In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public stockholders not tendering more than the number of public shares we are permitted to redeem. If public stockholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete the initial business combination.

Limitation on Redemption upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination if we Seek Stockholder Approval

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in our initial public offering, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” We believe this restriction will discourage stockholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in our initial public offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us, our sponsor or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem no more than 20% of the shares sold in our initial public offering without our prior consent, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our business combination.

Tendering Stock Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights

Public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” are required to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the initially scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. The proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate the applicable delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public stockholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two days prior to the vote on the business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. Given the relatively short period in which to exercise redemption rights, it is advisable for stockholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.

There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker a fee of approximately $80.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.


The foregoing is different from the procedures used by many blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the stockholders’ vote on an initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise his or her redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such stockholder to arrange for him or her to deliver his or her certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the stockholder then had an “option window” after the completion of the business combination during which he or she could monitor the price of the company’s stock in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he or she could sell his or her shares in the open market before actually delivering his or her shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which stockholders were aware they needed to commit before the stockholder meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the completion of the business combination until the redeeming holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the meeting ensures that a redeeming holder’s election to redeem is irrevocable once the business combination is approved.

Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date set forth in the tender offer materials or the date of the stockholder meeting set forth in our proxy materials, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of our business combination.

If our initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.

If our initial proposed business combination is not completed, we may continue to try to complete a business combination with a different target until 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering.

Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if no Initial Business Combination

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will have only 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering to complete our initial business combination. If we do not complete our business combination within such 24-month period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.), which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our business combination within the 24-month time period.

Pursuant to the Opco LLC Agreement and a letter agreement that our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers and directors have entered into with us, they have agreed that any founder shares held by them are subject to forfeiture, and thus will not be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account, and they will waive any such rights to liquidating distributions for any founder shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering. However, if our sponsor, officers or directors acquire public shares in or after our initial public offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares and the sponsor shares, if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the allotted 24-month time period.


Our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers, and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of our Class A common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.). However, we may not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement, we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time. Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, such an amendment would need to be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 65% of all then outstanding shares of our common stock.

All costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining as part of the estimated $1,000,000 of cash held outside of the trust account, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required to pay franchise and income taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.

If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by stockholders will not be substantially less than $10.00. Under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our stockholders. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.


Although we seek to have all vendors (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than our independent public accountants) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, except as to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations, and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.00 per public share.


We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $1,000,000 from the proceeds of our initial public offering with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, stockholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,000,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $1,000,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.

Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.

Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution. If we do not complete our business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.), which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following our 24” month, and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.


Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations are limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the trust account is remote. Further, our sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the trust account are not reduced below (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest withdrawn to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.

If we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.00 per share to our public stockholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.

Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of the redemption of our public shares and any Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.) if we do not complete our business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, subject to applicable law, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering or (iii) if they redeem their respective shares for cash upon the completion of the initial business combination. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote.


Competition

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses is limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.

Facilities

Our executive offices are located at 102 East Main Street, Second Story, Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106, and our telephone number is (713) 446-6259. The cost for our use of this space is included in the $10,000 per month fee we pay to our sponsor for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

Employees and Human Capital Resources

We currently have three officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time that they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in.

Periodic Reporting and Financial Information

We have registered our units, Class A common stock and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.

We will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) sent to stockholders. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with GAAP, or reconciled to, GAAP, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with the requirements outlined above, or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with the requirements outlined above. To the extent that any applicable requirements cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential acquisition candidates, we do not believe that this limitation is material.


We are required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer will we be required to have our internal control procedures audited. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

We have filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (i) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion (as adjusted for inflation pursuant to SEC rules from time to time), or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (ii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(t)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (i) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.


Item 1A.Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this Report and the final prospectus associated with our initial public offering, before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We are a recently formed blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

We are a recently formed company with no operating results. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We may be unable to complete our business combination. If we fail to complete our business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.

Past performance by the Rice family, Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies and our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company. In addition, none of our officers or directors have served as a sponsor, director or officer of any blank check companies or special purpose acquisition companies in the past.

Information regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, the Rice family, Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies and our management team is presented for informational purposes only. Past performance by the Rice family, Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies or our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to locate a suitable candidate for our initial business combination. You should not rely on the historical record of the Rice family, Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies or our management team as indicative of our future performance or of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward. In addition, none of our officers or directors have served as a sponsor, director or officer of any blank check companies or special purpose acquisition companies in the past.

Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.

We may choose not to hold a stockholder vote to approve our initial business combination if the business combination would not require stockholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements. Except as required by applicable law or stock exchange requirement, the decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek stockholder approval. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the business combination we complete.


In evaluating a prospective target business for our initial business combination, our management may consider the availability of funds from the sale of the forward purchase securities, which may be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the initial business combination. If Atlas Point Fund decides not to accept our offer to purchase the forward purchase securities, we may decide not to consummate our initial business combination, or if we decide to, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination.

We have entered into a forward purchase agreement pursuant to which Atlas Point Fund, which is a fund managed by CIBC National Trust but is not affiliated with us or our sponsor, agreed to purchase up to $75,000,000 of either (i) a number of forward purchase units for $10.00 per unit or (ii) a number of forward purchase shares for $9.67 per share, in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of our initial business combination. Whether we will issue Atlas Point Fund forward purchase units valued at $10.00 per unit or forward purchase shares valued at $9.67 per share will be determined at our election, and in our sole discretion, at least 10 business days prior to the closing of our initial business combination. The funds from the sale of the forward purchase securities are expected to be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in our initial business combination, and to pay expenses in connection with our initial business combination and may be used for working capital in the post-transaction company.

The obligations under the forward purchase agreement will not depend on whether any public stockholders elect to redeem their shares in connection with our initial business combination. However, if the sale of the forward purchase securities does not close, for example, by reason of the failure of Atlas Point Fund to fund the purchase price for its forward purchase securities, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination. Atlas Point Fund’s obligation to purchase the forward purchase securities will, among other things, be conditioned on Atlas Point Fund giving us its irrevocable written consent to purchase the forward purchase securities no later than five days after we notify it of our intention to meet to consider entering into a definitive agreement for a proposed business combination and on a requirement that such initial business combination is approved by a majority of our board and a majority of the independent directors of our board. Accordingly, if Atlas Point Fund does not consent to the purchase, or if the initial business combination is not approved by a majority of our board and a majority of the independent directors of our board, Atlas Point Fund would not be obligated to purchase any forward purchase securities.

Additionally, Atlas Point Fund’s obligations to purchase the forward purchase securities will be subject to termination prior to the closing of the sale of such securities by mutual written consent of us and Atlas Point Fund, or automatically: (i) if our initial business combination is not consummated within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering or (ii) if we become subject to any voluntary or involuntary petition under the United States federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law, in each case which is not withdrawn within 60 days after being filed, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer is appointed by a court for business or property of us or Atlas Point Fund, in each case which is not removed, withdrawn or terminated within 60 days after such appointment. In addition, Atlas Point Fund’s obligations to purchase the forward purchase securities will be subject to fulfillment of customary closing conditions, including that our initial business combination must be consummated substantially concurrently with the purchase of the forward purchase securities. If Atlas Point Fund decides not to accept our offer to purchase the forward purchase securities, we may decide not to consummate our initial business combination, or if we decide to, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination.

Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.

At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of our initial business combination. Since our board of directors may complete a business combination without seeking stockholder approval, public stockholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such stockholder vote. Accordingly, if we do not seek stockholder approval, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public stockholders in which we describe our initial business combination.


If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial stockholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.

Our initial stockholders own 20% of our shares of common stock following the completion of our initial public offering. Our initial stockholders and management team also may from time to time purchase shares of our Class A common stock prior to our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that, if we seek stockholder approval of an initial business combination, such initial business combination will be approved if we receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at such meeting, including the founder shares and sponsor shares. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares and sponsor shares, we would need 8,896,875, or 37.5%, of the 23,725,000 public shares sold in our initial public offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Accordingly, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial stockholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite stockholder approval for such initial business combination.

The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.

We may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public stockholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.

The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many stockholders may exercise their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares are submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for third party financing. Raising additional third party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure.

The ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your stock.

If our business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your stock in the open market; however, at such time our stock may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your stock in the open market.


The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our business combination on terms that would produce value for our stockholders.

Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.

Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, which has and is continuing to spread throughout China and other parts of the world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” On January 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the U.S. healthcare community in responding to COVID-19, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a “pandemic”. The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted, and a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases could result, in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected, in the case of COVID-19, and could adversely affect, in the case of future outbreaks of infectious diseases, the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 continues to restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.

In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by COVID-19 and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 may increase the other risks identified herein.


We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public stockholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein including the impact of COVID-19. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.), which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share, and our warrants will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares.

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares or public warrants from public stockholders or public warrantholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float” of our Class A common stock.

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public warrants or a combination thereof in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. There is no limit on the number of shares our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and the rules of the NYSE. However, other than as expressly stated herein, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase shares or public warrants in such transactions.

In the event that our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the business combination or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of public warrants could be to reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or to vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrantholders for approval in connection with our initial business combination. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent the purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements.

In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Class A common stock or public warrants and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.


If a stockholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.

We will comply with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a stockholder fails to receive our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, such stockholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly redeem or tender public shares. For example, we may require our public stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures, its shares may not be redeemed.

You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.

Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with our completion of an initial business combination (including the release of funds to pay any amounts due to any public stockholders who properly exercise their redemption rights in connection therewith), (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, or (iii) the redemption of our public shares and any Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.) if we do not complete an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if we do not complete an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering for any reason, compliance with Delaware law may require that we submit a plan of dissolution to our then-existing stockholders for approval prior to the distribution of the proceeds held in our trust account. In that case, public stockholders may be forced to wait beyond 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering before they receive funds from our trust account. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of warrants will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the warrants. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.

The NYSE may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

Our securities are currently listed on the NYSE. However, we cannot assure you that our securities will be, or will continue to be, listed on the NYSE in the future or prior to our initial business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on the NYSE prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and stock price levels. Generally, we must maintain a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 300 round lot holders). Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with the NYSE’s initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than the NYSE’s continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities on the NYSE. For instance, our stock price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share, our aggregate market value would be required to be at least $100,000,000, and the market value of our publicly-held shares would be required to be at least $80,000,000. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.


If the NYSE delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

reduced liquidity for our securities;

a determination that our Class A common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class A common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;

a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and

a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

The National Securities Markets ImprovementStartups Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our Class A common stock2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and warrants are listed on the NYSE, our units, Class A common stock and warrants are covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the state of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on the NYSE, our securities would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our Class A common stock, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 20% of our Class A common stock.

If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in our initial public offering without our prior consent, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 20% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your stock in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.


As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.

In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination. In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause target companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.

Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

We expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, we are obligated to offer holders of our public shares the right to redeem their shares for cash at the time of our initial business combination, in conjunction with a stockholder vote or via a tender offer. Target businesses will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.00 per share upon our liquidation. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors below.


If the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our warrants will expire worthless.

The funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, assuming that our initial business combination is not completed during that time. We believe that, upon the closing of our initial public offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent or merger agreements designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent or merger agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.00 per share upon our liquidation. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors below.

If the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team to fund our search for a business combination, to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco and to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.

Of the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, only approximately $1,000,000 is available to us outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or we may be forced to liquidate. None of our sponsor, members of our management team nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Any such advances would be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account. If we do not complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. Consequently, our public stockholders may only receive an estimated $10.00 per share, or possibly less, on our redemption of our public shares, and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors below.


Subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our stock price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

Even if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will surface all material issues in relation to a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.

The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we do not complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our public stockholders are entitled to receive their pro rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of taxes paid or payable (less, in the case we do not complete our initial business combination, $100,000 of interest). Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue.


Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we do not complete our business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-1 that was filed in connection with our initial public offering, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than our independent public accountants) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

Our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders.

In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations.

While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.

If after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy court may seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our board of directors and us to claims of punitive damages.

If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.


If before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.

If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our business combination.

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:

restrictions on the nature of our investments; and

restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our business combination.

In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:

registration as an investment company;

adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and

reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.

In order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business is to identify and complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.

We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust account may only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Pursuant to the trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. Our initial public offering is not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering; or (iii) the redemption of our public shares and any Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.) if we do not complete our business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, subject to applicable law. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete a business combination, or may result in our liquidation. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.


Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we are required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements and numerous complex tax laws. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly.

Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.

Our stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.

Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If a corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. However, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following the 24th month from the closing of our initial public offering in the event we do not complete our business combination and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with the foregoing procedures.

Because we will not comply with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the 10 years following our dissolution. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will are limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. If our plan of distribution complies with Section 281(b) of the DGCL, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would likely be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend beyond the third anniversary of such date. Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution.


We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the opportunity for our stockholders to elect directors.

In accordance with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. Under Section 211(b) of the DGCL, we are, however, required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with our bylaws unless such election is made by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, and thus, we may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL, which requires an annual meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211(c) of the DGCL.

We have not registered the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securities laws at this time, and such registration may not be in place when an investor desires to exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to exercise its warrants except on a cashless basis and potentially causing such warrants to expire worthless.

We have not registered the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securities laws at this time. However, under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our best efforts to file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such shares and maintain a current prospectus relating to the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current or correct or the SEC issues a stop order. If the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act, we will be required to permit holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, in which case, the number of shares of Class A common stock that you will receive upon cashless exercise will be based on a formula subject to a maximum amount of shares equal to 0.361 shares of Class A common stock per warrant (subject to adjustment). However, no warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available. Notwithstanding the above, if our Class A common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but we will be required to use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant, or issue securities or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws, and there is no exemption available. If the issuance of the shares upon exercise of the warrants is not so registered or qualified or exempt from registration or qualification, the holder of such warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired their warrants as part of a purchase of units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the shares of our Class A common stock included in the units. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying shares of our Class A common stock for sale under all applicable state securities laws.


The grant of registration rights to our initial stockholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

Pursuant to the agreement entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in our initial public offering, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the shares of our Class A common stock into which founder shares and sponsor shares are exchangeable, holders of our private placement warrants and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the private placement warrants and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants or upon exchange of any Class A Units of Opco issued upon exercise of the private placement warrants and holders of warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans may demand that we register such warrants or the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants or upon exchange of any Class A Units of Opco issued upon exercise of such warrants. Assuming the founder shares and sponsor shares are exchanged on a one for one basis and no warrants are issued upon conversion of working capital loans, an aggregate of up to 5,940,096 shares of our Class A common stock and up to 6,771,000 warrants are subject to registration under these agreements. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the stockholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our Class A common stock that is expected when the securities owned by our initial stockholders, holders of our private placement warrants, holders of working capital loans or their respective permitted transferees are registered.

Because we are not limited to a particular industry, sector or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations.

Although we expect to focus our search for a target business in the broadly defined energy transition or sustainability arena, we may complete a business combination with an operating company in any industry or sector. However, we are not, under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, be permitted to effectuate our business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination target. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.


We may seek acquisition opportunities outside of our target industries or sectors (which industries or sectors may or may not be outside of our management’s areas of expertise).

Although we intend to focus on identifying business combination candidates in the broad energy transition or sustainability arena that may advance the objectives of global decarbonization, we will consider a business combination outside of our target industries or sectors if a business combination candidate is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our company or we are unable to identify a suitable candidate in our target industries or sectors after having expended a reasonable amount of time and effort in an attempt to do so. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in our initial public offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue an acquisition outside of our target industries or sectors, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this Report regarding our target industries or sectors would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following our business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.

Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.

Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of stockholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain stockholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

We may seek business combination opportunities with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenue or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues, cash flows or earnings or difficulty in retaining key personnel.

To the extent we complete our initial business combination with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenues, cash flows or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine. These risks include volatile revenues, cash flows or earnings and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.


We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from an independent accounting firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our company from a financial point of view.

Unless we complete our business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair to our company from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm. However, our stockholders may not be provided with a copy of such opinion, nor will they be able to rely on such opinion.

We may issue additional shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or Opco Units (and a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock) to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. The number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco will convert may be adjusted after the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our stockholders and likely present other risks.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 250,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 20,000,000 shares of our Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 undesignated shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. There are 226,272,500 and 14,068,650 authorized but unissued shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, available for issuance, which amount does not take into account shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants, or shares issuable upon exchange of founder shares or other Class A Units of Opco (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock). There are no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. The Class A Units of Opco (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) are exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock at a one-for-one ratio but subject to adjustment as set forth herein.

We may issue a substantial number of additional Opco Units (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock), shares of our Class A common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue additional shares of our Class A common stock upon exchange of the founder shares, as a result of adjustments to the number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco will convert after the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote.

The issuance of additional Opco Units (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock), shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock:

may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in our initial public offering;

may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our common stock;

could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of our common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and

may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A common stock and/or warrants.


Unlike some other similarly structured blank check companies, our initial stockholders will receive additional Class A Units of Opco if we issue shares to consummate an initial business combination.

The founder shares consist of Class B Units of Opco (and any Class A Units of Opco into which such Class B Units are converted) and a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock, which together will be exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock after the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of our Class A common stock or equity-linked securities convertible or exercisable for shares of our Class A common stock are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in our initial public offering and related to the closing of our initial business combination (other than the forward purchase securities), the number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco will convert may be adjusted so that, after all founder shares have been exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock, the aggregate number of shares of our Class A common stock received by holders in exchange for founder shares would equal 20% of our total outstanding common stock upon completion of our initial public offering plus the number of shares of our Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with our initial business combination, excluding any shares of our Class A common stock or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in our initial business combination, and excluding the sponsor shares. In addition, the number of outstanding shares of our Class B common stock will be adjusted through a stock split or stock dividend so that the total number of outstanding shares of our Class B common stock corresponds to the total number of Class A Units of Opco outstanding (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.) plus the total number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco are entitled to convert.

Resources could be wasted in researching business combinations that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys, consultants and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

We are dependent upon our officers and directors, and their loss could adversely affect our ability to operate.

Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us.


Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.

Our ability to successfully effect our business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.

In addition, the officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The departure of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business. The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.

Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination, and a particular business combination may be conditioned on the retention or resignation of such key personnel. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.

Our key personnel may be able to remain with our company after the completion of our business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. Such negotiations also could make such key personnel’s retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business.

Our current officers may not remain in their positions following our business combination. We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company, which could, in turn, negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.

When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target business’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target business’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.


The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The loss of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.

The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.

Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.

Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent directors may also serve as officers or board members for other entities. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.

Certain of our officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

Until we consummate our initial business combination, we are in the process of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our sponsor and officers and directors are, and may in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business, including Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies and Rice II. Our officers and directors also may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary or contractual duties.

Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.

Our officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.

We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, although we do not intend to do so, or we may acquire a target business through an Affiliated Joint Acquisition with one or more affiliates of our sponsor, including Rice Investment Group and/or one or more of its portfolio companies. We do not have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.


In particular, members of our sponsor and its affiliates, including Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies and Rice II, are focused on investments in the energy industry. As a result, there may be substantial overlap between companies that would be a suitable business combination for us and companies that would make an attractive target for such affiliates.

We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.

In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders, including one or more portfolio companies of Rice Investment Group. Our officers and directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. They may also have investments in target businesses. Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination and such transaction was approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors. Despite our obligation to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm regarding the fairness to our company from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.

Moreover, we may pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with one or more affiliates of our sponsor, including Rice Investment Group and/or one or more of its portfolio companies. Any such parties may co-invest with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the business combination by issuing to such parties a class of equity or equity-linked securities. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.

Since our sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment in us if our business combination is not completed (other than with respect to sponsor shares and public shares they have acquired during or may acquire after our initial public offering), a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.

In September 2020, our Sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain of our expenses in exchange for (i) 5,750,100 shares of our Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Also in September 2020, the Sponsor received 5,750,000 Class B Units of Opco (which are profits interest units only). In October 2020, the Sponsor forfeited 90,000 Class B Units of Opco, and 30,000 Class B Units of Opco were issued to each of the independent directors. The Sponsor transferred a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock to the independent directors. In October 2020, the Company effected a dividend, resulting in an aggregate of (i) 6,181,350 shares of our Class B common stock, and (ii) 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the dividend. Upon a liquidation of Opco, distributions generally will be made to the holders of Opco Units on a pro rata basis, subject to certain limitations with respect to the Class B Units of Opco, including that, prior to the completion of the initial business combination, such Class B Units will not be entitled to participate in a liquidating distribution. On October 26, 2020, the Company consummated its initial public offering of 23,725,000 units, including 2,225,000 units that were issued pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $237.3 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $12.5 million, inclusive of $7.6 million in deferred underwriting commissions. Of the 23,725,000 units sold, affiliates of our Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund had purchased 1,980,000 units and 2,128,500 units at the initial public offering price. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. The underwriters did not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions on the 1,980,000 Affiliated Units. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The personal and financial interests of our officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following our initial business combination. This risk may become more acute as the 24-month anniversary of the closing of our initial public offering nears, which is the deadline for our completion of an initial business combination.


We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.

We may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our business combination. We and our officers have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:

default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;

acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;

our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;

our inability to pay dividends on our common stock;

using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our common stock if declared, to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions and fund other general corporate purposes;

limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;

increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;

limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, and execution of our strategy; and

other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.

Of the net proceeds from our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, up to approximately $237.3 million is available to complete our business combination and pay related fees and expenses. Of the up to approximately $237.3 million, approximately $1.0 million will be held outside the trust account for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses.

We may effectuate our business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously or within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis.


By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. In addition, we are focusing our search for an initial business combination in a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:

solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or

dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.

This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our business combination.

We may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete our business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.

If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.

We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

In pursuing our business combination strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.

Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.

We may structure a business combination so that we will control less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business combination if we control 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise are not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even if we control 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain control of the target business.


We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete a business combination with which a substantial majority of our stockholders do not agree.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (such that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). As a result, we may be able to complete our business combination even though a substantial majority of our public stockholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers, directors, advisors or any of their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of our Class A common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, all shares of our Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.

The exercise price for the public warrants is higher than in some other blank check company offerings, and accordingly, the warrants are more likely to expire worthless.

The exercise price of the public warrants is higher than in some other blank check companies. For example, historically, the exercise price of a warrant was often a fraction of the purchase price of the units in the initial public offering. The exercise price for our public warrants is $11.50 per share, subject to adjustments as provided herein. As a result, the warrants are less likely to ever be in the money and more likely to expire worthless.

In order to effectuate our initial business combination, we may seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or other governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business combination but that our stockholders or warrantholders may not support.

In order to effectuate a business combination, we may amend various provisions of our charter and governing instruments, including the warrant agreement, the underwriting agreement relating to our initial public offering, the letter agreement among us and our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers and directors, and the registration rights agreement among us and our initial stockholders. These agreements contain various provisions that our public stockholders might deem to be material. While we do not expect our board to approve any amendment to any of these agreements prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to any such agreement in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Except in relation to the charter, any such amendments would not require approval from our stockholders and may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our securities. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our charter or other governing instruments or change our industry focus in order to effectuate our initial business combination.


The provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of holders of 65% of our common stock, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our stockholders may not support.

Some other blank check companies have a provision in their charter which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company’s stockholders. In those companies, amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s public stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any of its provisions (other than amendments relating to the election of directors, which require the approval of a majority of at least 90% of our common stock voting at a stockholder meeting) related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of our initial public offering and the private placement warrants into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public stockholders as described herein) may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our common stock entitled to vote thereon, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our common stock entitled to vote thereon. In all other instances, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended by holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote thereon, subject to applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules. Our initial stockholders, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of the total outstanding common stock, will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our stockholders may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers, and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of our Class A common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.). These agreements are contained in a letter agreement that we have entered into with our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers, and directors. Our stockholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, Atlas Point Fund, officers, and directors for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our stockholders would need to pursue a stockholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.


We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.

Although we believe that the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and the forward purchase securities are sufficient to allow us to complete our initial business combination, we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and the forward purchase securities prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to redeem for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, or if Atlas Point Fund decides not to exercise its right to purchase all of the forward purchase securities, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we do not complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public stockholders, and our warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our business combination.

Our initial stockholders control the election of our board of directors until consummation of our initial business combination and hold a substantial interest in us. As a result, they elect all of our directors prior to our initial business combination and may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.

After the closing of our initial public offering, our initial stockholders own shares representing 20% of our shares of common stock. In addition, the founder shares, all of which are held by our initial stockholders, will entitle the holders to elect all of our directors prior to our initial business combination. Holders of our public shares will have no right to vote on the election of directors during such time. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may only be amended by a special resolution passed by a majority of at least 90% of our common stock voting at a stockholder meeting. As a result, you will not have any influence over the election of directors prior to our initial business combination. Accordingly, our initial stockholders may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of major corporate transactions. If our initial stockholders purchase any units in our initial public offering or if our initial stockholders purchase any additional shares of common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our initial stockholders nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors have any current intention to purchase additional securities, other than as disclosed in our initial public offering. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our Class A common stock. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were elected by our initial stockholders, is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. We may not hold an annual meeting to elect new directors prior to the completion of our business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our initial stockholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our initial stockholders will continue to exert control at least until the completion of our business combination. The forward purchase securities will not be issued until completion of our initial business combination, and, accordingly, will not be included in any stockholder vote until such time.


We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your warrants could be increased, the warrant could be converted into cash or stock (at a ratio different than initially provided), the exercise period could be shortened and the number of shares of our Class A common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.

Our warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision or mistake (including to conform the terms of the warrants to those described herein), but requires the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants and 50% of the registered holders of the private warrants to make any change to the terms of the private warrants. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash or stock (at a ratio different than initially provided), shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of shares of our Class A common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.

We may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.

We have the ability to redeem outstanding warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we give proper notice of such redemption and provided certain other conditions are met. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you (i) to exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) to sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your warrants. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by the sponsor, Atlas Point Fund or their permitted transferees.

In addition, we may redeem your warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration at a price of $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants prior to redemption for a number of shares of our Class A common stock determined based on the redemption date and the fair market value of our Class A common stock. Any such redemption may have similar consequences to a cash redemption described above. The value received upon exercise of the warrants (1) may be less than the value the holders would have received if they had exercised their warrants at a later time where the underlying stock price is higher and (2) may not compensate the holders for the value of the warrants because the number of shares of Class A common stock received is capped at 0.361 shares of Class A common stock per warrant (subject to adjustment) irrespective of the remaining life of the warrants.


Our ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis after we call the warrants for redemption or if there is no effective registration statement covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants will cause holders to receive fewer shares of our Class A common stock upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to pay the exercise price of their warrants in cash.

If the shares of our Class A common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that the shares of our Class A common stock satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(I) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but we will be required to use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. “Cashless exercise” means the warrant holder pays the exercise price by giving up some of the shares for which the warrant is being exercised, with those shares valued at the then current market price. Accordingly, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of our Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean volume weighted average price of our Class A common stock as reported during 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants.

In addition, if a registration statement covering the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of our initial business combination, warrantholders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis, For purposes of calculating the number of shares issuable upon such cashless exercise, the “fair market value” of warrants shall be calculated using the volume weighted average sale price of the Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.

If we choose to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, which we may do at our sole discretion, or if holders elect to do so when there is no effective registration statement, the number of shares of our Class A common stock received by a holder upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his or her warrant for cash. For example, if the holder is exercising 875 public warrants at $11.50 per share through a cashless exercise when the shares of our Class A common stock have a fair market value per share of $17.50 per share, then upon the cashless exercise, the holder will receive 300 shares of our Class A common stock. The holder would have received 875 shares of our Class A common stock if the exercise price was paid in cash. This will have the effect of reducing the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company because the warrant holder will hold a smaller number of shares of our Class A common stock upon a cashless exercise of the warrants they hold.

Our warrants and founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock and make it more difficult to effectuate our business combination.

We issued warrants to purchase 11,862,500 shares of our Class A common stock as part of the units offered by our initial public offering and, simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering, we issued in private placements an aggregate of 6,771,000 private placement warrants, each exercisable to purchase for $11.50 either one share of our Class A common stock or, in certain circumstances, one Class A Unit of Opco (and corresponding share of our Class B common stock). In addition, we may issue up to approximately 7.8 million shares of Class A common stock to Atlas Point Fund in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the forward purchase agreement. The founder shares are exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and subject to further adjustment as set forth herein. In addition, if our sponsor makes any working capital loans, it may convert those loans into up to an additional 1,000,000 private placement warrants, at the price of $1.00 per warrant. To the extent we issue shares of our Class A common stock to effectuate a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares of our Class A common stock upon exercise of these warrants and exchange rights could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and reduce the value of the shares of our Class A common stock issued to complete the business combination. Therefore, our warrants and founder shares may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.


A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.

If we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities or capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a newly issued price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted to equal 115% of the newly issued price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.

The market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.

The price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.

Because we must furnish our stockholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.

The federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include target historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements in time for us to disclose such financial statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.

We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in ourits periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that aan emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We haveThe Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we,the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.
This may make the comparison of ourthe Company’s consolidated financial statements with another public company whichthat is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company whichthat has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

The Company will re-evaluate its status as an emerging growth company in June 2022 at which time it may no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, as well as contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Noncontrolling and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity ownership in subsidiaries that is not attributable to the stockholders’ equity of the Company. Noncontrolling interests are initially recorded at the transaction price which is equal to their fair value, and the amount is subsequently adjusted for the proportionate share of earnings and other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests and any dividends or distributions paid to the noncontrolling interests. Effective with the consummation of the Business Combinations, noncontrolling interest includes the economic interest of Class A Opco Units not owned by the Company, which has been classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest due to certain provisions that allow for cash settlement of the redemption right at the Company’s election. See “Note 16 - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity.”
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing an asset or liability, which are characterized according to a hierarchy that prioritizes those inputs based on the degree to which they are observable. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect a company's own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The fair value input hierarchy level to which an asset or liability measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.
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The three input levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset. These Level 3 fair value measurements are based primarily on management’s own estimates using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques taking into account the characteristics of the asset.
The Company’s assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset or liability.
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant for the fair value measurement. The Company reflects transfers between the three levels at the beginning of the reporting period in which the availability of observable inputs no longer justifies classification in the original level.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenues from the production and sales of RNG, Power, and associated Environmental Attributes, as well as the performance of other landfill energy O&M services. The Company also manufactures and sells customized pollution control equipment and performs associated maintenance agreement services. Based on requirements of GAAP, a portion of revenue is accounted for under ASC 840 - Leases and a portion under ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASC 840, lease revenue is recognized generally upon delivery of RNG and electricity. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when (or as) the Company satisfies its performance obligation(s) under the contract by transferring the promised product or service either when (or as) its customer obtains control of the product or service, including RNG, electricity and their related Environmental Attributes. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product or service to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring its products or services. Based on the terms of the related sales agreements, the amounts recorded under ASC 840 as lease revenue are generally consistent with revenue recognized under ASC 606.
RNG

The Company’s RNG production commenced in 2021 at its Boyd County facility and has expanded with the acquisition of Aria, which at the time of the Business Combinations owned and operated nine RNG facilities, and with the achievement of commercial operations at the Assai facility in December 2021. The Company has long-term off-take contracts with creditworthy counterparties for the sale of RNG and related Environmental Attributes. Certain long-term off-take contracts for current production are accounted for as operating leases and have no minimum lease payments. The rental income under these leases is recorded as revenue when the RNG is delivered to the customer. RNG not covered by off-take contracts is sold under short-term market-based contracts. When the performance obligation is satisfied through the delivery of RNG to the customer, revenue is recognized. The Company receives payments from the sale of RNG production within one month after delivery.
The Company also earns revenue by selling Environmental Attributes, including RINs and LCFS credits, which are generated when producing and selling RNG for use in certain transportation markets. These Environmental Attributes are able to be separated and sold independent from the RNG produced, therefore, no cost is allocated to the Environmental Attributes when they are generated. When the RNG and RIN are sold on a bundled basis under the same contract, revenue is recognized when the RNG is produced and the RNG and associated RIN are transferred to a third party. For RIN and LCFS sales that are under contracts independent from RNG sales, revenue is recognized when the RIN or LCFS is transferred to a third party.
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Power
The Company’s Power production commenced in April 2021 following the acquisition of PEI and has expanded as a result of the acquisition of Aria, which at the time of the Business Combinations owned, and in most cases operated, 12 LFG to renewable electricity facilities, and the subsequent acquisition of four additional LFG to electricity facilities. A significant portion of the electricity generated is sold and delivered under the terms of PPAs or other contractual arrangements. Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered at rates specified under the contracts. Certain PPAs are accounted for as operating leases and have no minimum lease payments. All of the rental income under these leases is recorded as revenue when the electricity is delivered. Power not covered by PPAs is typically sold under a market-based contract with an RTO or in the wholesale markets. When the performance obligation is satisfied through the delivery of Power to the customer, revenue is recognized. The Company receives payments from the sale of power production within one month after delivery.
Electricity is also sold through energy wholesale markets (NYISO, ISO-NE, and PJM) into the day-ahead market. Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered into the day-ahead market and the day-ahead market’s clearing prices.
The Company also sells capacity into the month-ahead and three-year ahead markets in the wholesale markets noted above. Capacity revenues are recognized when contractually earned and consist of revenues billed to a third party at a negotiated contract price for making installed generation capacity available to satisfy system integrity and reliability requirements.
The Company also earns revenue by selling RECs, which are generated when producing and selling Power generated from renewable energy. These RECs are able to be separated and sold independent from the Power produced, therefore, no cost is allocated to the RECs when they are generated. For REC sales that are under contracts independent from Power sales, revenue is recognized when the REC is transferred to a third party. For REC sales that are bundled with Power sales, revenue is recognized at the time Power is produced when a sales agreement exists for the RECs.
Operation and Maintenance (“O&M”)
The Company also generates revenues by providing O&M services at projects owned by third parties which are also included in Energy revenue. In addition, the Company also provides O&M services at projects owned by its equity method investment, Mavrix. Revenue for these services is recognized upon the services being provided following contractual arrangements primarily based on the production of RNG or Power from the project.
Equipment and Associated Services
The Company’s performance obligations related to the sales of equipment are satisfied over time because the Company’s performance under each customer contract produces 1) an asset with no alternative future use to the entity, because each products solution is customized to the specific needs of each customer and 2) the Company has an enforceable right to payment under the customer termination provisions for convenience. The Company measures progress under these arrangements using an input method based on costs incurred.
The Company’s performance obligations related to the sales of the associated services are satisfied over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance as it performs. The Company elected to recognize the sales of the associated services using the “right-to-invoice” practical expedient.
See “Note 5 - Revenues” for further discussion.
Business Combinations
For business combinations that meet the accounting definition of a business, the Company determines and allocates the purchase price of an acquired company to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interest, if applicable, as of the date of acquisition at fair value. Fair value may be estimated using comparable market data, a discounted cash flow method, or a combination of the two. In the discounted cash flow method, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s expectations for the future and can include estimates of future
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biogas production, commodity prices, operating and development costs, and a risk-adjusted discount rate. Revenues and costs of the acquired companies are included in the Company's operating results from the date of acquisition.
The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, and these estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement during the measurement period not to exceed one year from the acquisition date. As a result, any adjustment identified subsequent to the measurement period is included in operating results in the period in which the amount is determined. The Company’s acquisitions are discussed in “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization.”
Restricted Cash
The Company maintains escrow accounts under the terms of the Assai Energy 3.75% Senior Secured Notes and the Assai Energy 4.47% Senior Secured Notes. See “Note 11 - Debt.” The escrow accounts are legally restricted disbursement accounts for payment of construction-related costs for the Assai biogas project, as well as for future interest and principal payments to the secured investors, future royalty payments, and other reserve payments related to operating expenses. Due to these arrangements, the Company has classified the amounts in escrow as restricted cash.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company recognizes accounts receivable at invoiced amounts and maintains a valuation allowance for accounts where collectability is in question. The carrying amount of accounts receivable represents the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Credit is extended to all qualified customers under various payment terms with no collateral required. There were no material credit allowances as of December 31, 2021 or 2020.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value. Inventory consists primarily of manufacturing parts and supplies used in the maintenance of production equipment.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairments. Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the various classes of property, plant and equipment. Estimates of useful lives are based upon a variety of factors including durability of the asset, the amount of usage that is expected from the asset, the period of the associated landfill gas rights agreement, and the Company’s business plans for the asset, including planned conversions from Power to RNG facilities. When the underlying cost of particular components are not determinable, such as through an acquisition, an economic life for the entire facility is determined. When the value of the components are known, the estimated useful lives of our property and equipment are generally as follows: machinery and equipment, 5 to 30 years; buildings and improvements, 20 to 30 years; computer software and hardware, 1 to 5 years; and other furniture and fixtures, 3 to 5 years. Land is not depreciated.
Costs associated with the construction of biogas facilities are capitalized during the construction period and include direct costs such as engineering, pipeline and plant construction, wages and benefits, consulting, equipment, and other overhead costs. When a biogas plant is placed in service, the costs associated with the biogas plant will be transferred from construction in progress to property, plant and equipment and depreciated over its expected useful life.
Costs of improvements that extend the lives of existing properties are capitalized, whereas maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property, plant, equipment and biogas rights, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. In performing this review, undiscounted future cash flows associated with the long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets are estimated at
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the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. If the Company determines that the undiscounted cash flows from an asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the impairment expense to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Equity Method Investments
Investments in entities that the Company does not control or VIEs in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records its proportional share of equity earnings or losses in the consolidated statements of operations. Investments are increased by additional contributions and earnings and are reduced by equity losses and distributions. Equity method investments are evaluated for impairment when the Company determines factors indicate that an other than temporary loss has occurred.
Goodwill
Goodwill is determined as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment annually on October 1, or earlier if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount including goodwill, the Company will then perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company recognizes a liability for obligations which the Company has a legal or a contractual obligation to remove a long-lived asset. Liabilities are recorded at estimated fair value with the associated asset retirement costs being capitalized as a part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liabilities are accreted to their expected settlement value and is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company has recognized asset retirement obligations ("AROs") arising from legal or regulatory requirements to perform certain asset retirement activities at the time that certain contracts terminate, including the costs of removing our facilities from the landfill property and returning the land to the state it was in prior to our facility construction.
Postretirement Obligations
Postretirement benefits amounts recognized in consolidated financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. The Company obtains an independent actuary valuation of its postretirement obligation annually as of December 31st. To calculate the present value of plan liabilities, the discount rate needs to be determined and is an estimate of the interest rate at which the retirement benefits could be effectively settled. The discount rate is determined using the average effective rate derived through matching of projected benefit payments with the discount rate curve published by Citigroup as of each reporting date. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized in Other income (expense) in the period determined.
Income Taxes
Archaea is a corporation and is subject to U.S. federal income and applicable state taxation. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax laws and tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company routinely assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets by analyzing the reversal periods of available net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards,
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temporary differences in tax assets and liabilities, the availability of tax planning strategies, and estimates of future taxable income and other factors.Deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.Recognized income tax positions are measured as the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized.
The Company records interest related to an underpayment of income taxes in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.
Derivative Instruments
The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives under GAAP. Derivative instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with subsequent changes included in earnings. Certain contracts that are used to manage exposure to commodity prices are accounted for as derivatives, unless they meet the normal purchase/normal sale criteria and are designated and documented as such.
Share-based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based compensation at fair value. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are valued at the grant date using the price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The Company records share-based compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the respective award.
NOTE 3 – Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The main difference between previous generally accepted accounting principles and the new requirements under Topic 842 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases with a term greater than 12 months classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 with early adoption permitted.
Upon adoption of Topic 842 as of January 1, 2022, the Company recognized approximately $7 million of ROU assets and lease liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheet related to operating leases existing on the adoption date. The adoption of Topic 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations or Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes, to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The guidance eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocations, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and recognition of the deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences related to changes in ownership of equity method investments and foreign subsidiaries. The guidance also simplifies aspects of accounting for franchise taxes, enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the transition from the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to an alternative reference rate. The guidance intends to address certain concerns relating to accounting for contract modifications and hedge accounting. These optional expedients and exceptions to applying GAAP, assuming certain criteria are met, are allowed through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this update and has not yet determined whether it will elect the
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optional expedients. The Company does not expect the transition to an alternative rate to have a material impact on its business, operations or liquidity.
NOTE 4 – Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization
On September 15, 2021, Archaea consummated the previously announced Business Combinations with Aria and Legacy Archaea, as described in “Note 1 - Organization and Description of Business”.
Reverse Recapitalization
Legacy Archaea is considered the accounting acquirer of the Business Combinations because Legacy Archaea Holders have the largest portion of the voting power of the Company and Legacy Archaea’s senior management comprise the majority of the executive management of the Company. Additionally, wethe Legacy Archaea Holders appointed the majority of board members exclusive of the independent board members. The Archaea Merger represents a reverse merger and is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, RAC is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Archaea Merger is treated as the equivalent of Legacy Archaea issuing shares for the net assets of RAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of RAC were stated at historical cost, no goodwill or other intangible assets were recorded.
The consideration paid in connection with the acquisition of Legacy Archaea consisted of 33,350,385 newly issued Class A Opco Units and 33,350,385 newly issued shares of Class B Common Stock.
In the reverse recapitalization, the Company was deemed to have received $236.9 million in gross cash proceeds from RAC upon Closing. For accounting purposes, these cash proceeds were treated as the equivalent of proceeds for issuance of the following outstanding shares and warrants at the time of Closing:
23,680,528 shares of Class A Common Stock, after redemptions
5,931,350 shares of Class B Common Stock
11,862,492 Public Warrants and 6,771,000 Private Placement Warrants, each exercisable at a price of $11.50 per share. See “Note 13 - Derivatives Instruments” for further discussion.
In connection with the Business Combinations, the Company incurred approximately $40.5 million of equity issuance costs, mainly consisting of underwriting, legal, consulting, and other professional fees, which are recorded to additional paid-in capital as a “smaller reporting company”reduction of proceeds.
PIPE Financing
On April 7, 2021, in connection with its entry into the Business Combination Agreements, the Company entered into subscription agreements (each, an “Initial Subscription Agreement”) with certain investors (the “Initial PIPE Investors”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Initial PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Initial PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 30.0 million shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $300.0 million ($10.00 per share), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the “Initial PIPE Financing”).
Additionally, on April 7, 2021, RAC, RAC Opco, Sponsor and Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Atlas”), entered into an Amendment to Forward Purchase Agreement (the “FPA Amendment”) pursuant to which the Forward Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2020 (the “Original FPA Agreement” and, together with the FPA Amendment, the “FPA”), by and among such parties was amended to provide that Atlas shall purchase a total of $20.0 million of Forward Purchase Securities and Forward Purchase Warrants (both as defined in Item 10(f)(1)the Original FPA Agreement). Atlas satisfied its obligation to purchase the Forward Purchase Securities by participating in the PIPE Financing, and upon consummation of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantagethe Business Combinations, Atlas also received 250,000 warrants (each exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50).
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On September 13, 2021, due to the expectation that one of the Initial PIPE Investors would not be able to fulfill its $25.0 million commitment for 2.5 million shares ($10.00 per share) in the Initial PIPE Financing, the Company entered into additional subscription agreements (each, a “Follow-On Subscription Agreement”) with certain reduced disclosure obligations, including,investors (the “Follow-On PIPE Investors” and, together with the Initial PIPE Investors, the “PIPE Investors”) pursuant to which, among other things, providingthe Follow-On PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase from the Company, and the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Follow-On PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 1,666,667 newly issued shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million ($15.00 per share), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the “Follow-On PIPE Financing” and, together with the Initial PIPE Financing, the “PIPE Financing”). Each Follow-On Subscription Agreement is substantially identical to the form of Initial Subscription Agreement.
On the Closing Date, gross consideration of $300 million was received under the PIPE Financing, including the proceeds under the FPA Amendment, in exchange for 29,166,667 shares of Class A Common Stock and 250,000 warrants (each warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50).
Aria Merger
Aria was acquired to complement Archaea's existing RNG assets and for its operational expertise in the renewable gas industry. Aria was determined to be a VIE immediately prior to the Business Combination. As a result of the Business Combinations, the Company became the primary beneficiary of Aria. The Aria Closing Merger Consideration consisted of both cash consideration and consideration in the form of newly issued Class A Opco Units and newly issued shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. The cash component of the Aria Closing Merger Consideration paid upon Closing was $377.1 million paid to Aria Holders, subject to certain future adjustments set forth in the Aria Merger Agreement, and $91.1 million for repayment of Aria debt. The remainder of the Aria Closing Merger Consideration consisted of 23.0 million Class A Opco Units and 23.0 million shares of Class B Common Stock.
Total consideration was determined to be as follows:
(in thousands)At September 15, 2021
Class A Opco Units (and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock)$394,910 
Cash consideration377,122
Repayment of Aria debt at Closing91,115 
Total purchase price consideration$863,147 
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Aria Merger represented an acquisition of a business and was accounted for using the acquisition method, whereby all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at their fair value on the acquisition date, with any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value recorded as goodwill. Certain data to complete the purchase price allocation is not yet available, including but not limited to final appraisals of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed and tax calculations. The Company will finalize the purchase price allocation during the 12-month period following the Closing, during which time the value of the assets and liabilities may be revised as appropriate. The following table sets forth the preliminary allocation of the Aria Closing Merger Consideration.
(in thousands)As of September 15, 2021
Fair value of assets acquired

Cash and cash equivalents$4,903 
Account receivable, net27,331 
Inventory9,015 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets3,834 
Property, plant and equipment, net126,463 
Intangible assets, net607,610 
Equity method investments243,128 
Other non-current assets861 
Goodwill26,457 
Amount attributable to assets acquired$1,049,602 


Fair value of liabilities assumed

Accounts payable$2,760 
Accrued and other current liabilities26,496 
Below-market contracts146,990 
Other long-term liabilities10,209 
Amount attributable to liabilities assumed186,455 
Net assets acquired863,147 
Total Aria Merger consideration$863,147 
The goodwill is primarily attributable to the expected synergies Archaea believes will be created as a result of the combined companies, the ability to enhance Aria's current RNG production facilities, and the ability to convert certain of Aria's electricity production facilities to RNG production facilities. We expect a majority, if not all of the goodwill, to be assigned to the RNG reporting unit upon finalizing the purchase price allocation. Due to the existence of cumulative losses, no deferred taxes are recorded for the Aria merger transaction.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Intangible assets/(below-market liabilities) acquired, and their related weighted average amortization periods, are as follows:
(in thousands, excluding weighted average amortization period in years)As of September 15, 2021
Weighted Average
Amortization Period
Biogas rights agreements$565,300 20
Electricity off-take agreements23,400 12
Operations and maintenance contracts8,620 15
RNG purchase contract10,290 1
Gas off-take agreement liabilities$(146,990)11
Revenues of $54.3 million and net income of $19.8 million related to results of Aria for the period from the Closing of the Business Combinations through December 31, 2021 are included in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31 2021. The Company recognized transaction costs of $3.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 related to the Business Combinations.
Unaudited Pro Forma Operating Results
The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been prepared as if the Aria Merger and other related transactions had taken place on January 1, 2020. The information reflects pro forma adjustments based on certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including depreciation of the Company's fair-value property, plant and equipment and LFG rights, amortization of fair value intangibles and below-market contracts, and that debt associated with the transaction was outstanding as of January 1, 2020. We have included the impacts of the change in fair value of the warrants associated with the Company's reverse merger with RAC. Other revenues and costs incurred by RAC during 2021 and 2020 were not material to the pro forma statement of operations and have not been included. The pro forma combined financial information has been included for comparative purposes and is not necessarily indicative of the results that might have actually occurred had the Aria Merger taken place on January 1, 2020; furthermore, the pro forma financial information is not intended to be a projection of future results. The following table includes unaudited pro forma information for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(in thousands)20212020
Total revenues$205,758 $162,018 
Net income (loss)$(77,449)$(49,730)
Lock-up Agreements
Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021, by and among RAC, Opco, Archaea Borrower, the Sponsor and certain stockholders of the Company (the “Stockholders Agreement”), the Company Holders (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) were granted certain customary registration rights. Also, the Aria Holders (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) are subject to a 180-day lock-up period on transferring their equity interests in the Company and Opco, while the Legacy Archaea Holders (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) are subject to a lock-up period (i) ending on the date that is the two-year anniversary of the Closing solely with respect to the Company Interests distributed by Archaea Energy LLC after the one-year anniversary of the Closing to the Legacy Archaea Holders who are members of management of the Company as of the Closing or their Affiliates (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) and (ii) ending on the date that is the one-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to all other Company Interests issued to the Legacy Archaea Holders at the Closing other than those described in the immediately foregoing clause (i). In addition, RAC’s former officers and directors and their affiliates have agreed with RAC, subject to certain exceptions, not to transfer or dispose of their Common Stock during the period from the Closing of the Business Combinations through the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the consummation of the Business Combinations, (ii) the date that the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period following the 150th day following the initial business combination and (iii) the consummation of a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
other similar transaction that results in all stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.
The lock-up restrictions applicable to the Aria Holders are subject to early expiration based on the per share trading price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001, as set forth in the Stockholders Agreement. As of November 11, 2021, all of the Aria Closing Shares were no longer subject to the lock-up restrictions due to Class A Common Stock trading prices. As of March 14, 2022, RAC's former officers and directors and their affiliates Common Stock was no longer subject to the lock-up restrictions due to Class A Common Stock trading prices.
Predecessor Financial Statements
Archaea determined that Aria is the predecessor to the Company due to the relative fair values of the Company and legacy operations Aria had compared to Archaea. As such, we have included Aria's consolidated statements of operations for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2020, and the consolidated balance sheets as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020 following the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for comparative purposes.
Gulf Coast Environmental Systems
On January 14, 2020, Legacy Archaea entered into a Membership Interest and Loan Purchase Agreement with NEI Ventures, LLC (“NEI”). Pursuant to this agreement, Legacy Archaea purchased 51% of the Class A membership interests of GCES for consideration of $0.5 million. Additionally, Legacy Archaea purchased a loan receivable held by Noble which was due from GCES for consideration of approximately $0.7 million. In February 2020, Legacy Archaea obtained additional Class A interests in consideration of waiving certain receivables, and thereby increased its GCES ownership to 72%. The Company acquired additional Class A interests in October 2021 and December 2021 and, as of December 31, 2021, the Company has 100% ownership of GCES.
The January 14, 2020 acquisition of GCES was accounted for using the acquisition method, whereby all of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests were recognized at their estimated fair value on the acquisition date, with the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value recorded as goodwill. The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $2.7 million.
NOTE 5 – Revenues
Revenue by Product Type
The following table disaggregates revenue by significant product type for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
RNG, including RINs and LCFSs$44,815 $— 
Gas O&M service386 — 
Power, including RECs21,502 — 
Electric O&M service1,070 — 
Equipment and associated services5,817 6,523 
Other98 — 
Total$73,688 $6,523 
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities
The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract assets include unbilled amounts from equipment sales projects when revenues recognized under the cost-to-cost measure of progress exceed the amounts invoiced to customers, as the amounts cannot be billed under the terms of the contracts. There were no credit allowances for contract assets as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. Contract liabilities from contracts arise when amounts invoiced to customers exceed revenues from equipment sales recognized under the cost-to-cost measure of progress. Contract liabilities additionally include advanced payments from customers on certain contracts. Contract liabilities decrease as revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the related performance obligation and are recorded as either current or long-term, depending upon when such revenue is expected to be recognized.
Contract assets and liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
Contract assets (included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets)$87 $48 
Contract liabilities (included in Accrued and other current liabilities)$(505)$(1,423)
The change in contract liabilities during year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily due to $1.4 million of revenue recognized that was included in contract liabilities at December 31, 2020, partially offset by an increase in new equipment sales billings in advance of revenue recognition.
Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Unsatisfied Performance Obligations
Remaining unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 31, 2021 relate to certain of the Company's RNG, RIN, and REC contracts. The Company applies the optional exemptions in ASC 606 and does not disclose consideration for remaining performance obligations with an original expected duration of one year or less or for variable consideration related to unsatisfied performance obligations. Firm contracts for fixed-price, fixed-quantity sales of RNG, RINs, and RECs are reflected in the table below when their original expected term is in excess of one year. The following table summarizes the revenue the Company expects to recognize over next 20 years on these firm sales contracts as of December 31, 2021:

(in thousands)
2022-2023$118,362 
2024-2025123,992
2026-2027128,826
2028-2029118,116
2030-2031119,115
Thereafter416,779
Total$1,025,189 
NOTE 6 – Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

(in thousands)20212020
Prepaid equipment and parts$6,578 $— 
Prepaid royalties5,119 1,255 
Prepaid insurance4,852 112 
Other prepaid expenses4,676 3,363 
Total$21,225 $4,730 
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 7 – Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
Machinery and equipment$285,718 $376 
Buildings and improvements16,039 88 
Furniture and fixtures1,176 13 
Construction in progress55,039 51,927 
Land246 
Total cost358,218 52,405 
Less accumulated depreciation(7,635)(37)
Property, plant and equipment, net$350,583 $52,368 
NOTE 8 – Equity Method Investments
As a result of the Aria Merger, the Company holds 50% interest in two joint ventures, Mavrix and Sunshine Gas Producers, LLC. (“SGP”), which are accounted for using the equity method due to the joint control by both the Company and unrelated parties with ownership interest in each entity.
Under the terms of the original Mavrix, LLC Contribution Agreement dated September 30, 2017, the Company is required to make an earn-out payment to its joint venture partner holding the other 50% membership in Mavrix in an amount up to $9.55 million. The earn-out payment represents additional consideration for the Company's equity interest in Mavrix and will be based on the performance of certain projects owned by Mavrix through the earn-out period which ends September 30, 2022. No earn-out payment is due until the completion of the earn-out period. The Company has estimated the earn-out payment to be $3.7 million at December 31, 2021, and this amount is reflected in the accompanying balance sheet in accrued and other current liabilities.

The summarized financial information for the Mavrix and SGP equity method investments following the Business Combinations is as follows: 
(in thousands)December 31, 2021
Assets$203,864 
Liabilities15,477 
Net assets$188,387 
Company's share of equity in net assets$94,194 
(in thousands)Year Ended December 31, 2021
Total revenues$34,958 
Net income$16,433 
Company's share of net income$8,217 
The Company's carrying values of the Mavrix and SGP investments also include basis differences totaling $154.0 million as of December 31, 2021 as a result of the fair value measurements recorded in the Aria Merger. Amortization of the basis differences reduced equity investment income by $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's interest in Mavrix's and SGP's undistributed earnings was $0.3 million and zero, respectively.

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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On December 30, 2021 the Company entered into a joint venture with a large waste management company. The Company contributed $7.5 million in cash into a newly created entity, Saturn Renewables LLC ("Saturn"), in exchange for a 50% interest. Concurrent with the closing, Saturn acquired existing gas rights at two locations along with an existing non-operating power plant at one of the locations. The JV partner extended long-term gas agreements for the Hickory Meadows site and contributed gas rights at an additional undeveloped site. Each party will have three board seats and jointly control Saturn. The Company will be the operator of the day to day operations of Saturn's existing power plant and will account for its investment using the equity method.
In addition, the Company also owns several smaller investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting totaling $7.1 million as of December 31, 2021.
NOTE 9 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
At December 31, 2021, the Company had $29.2 million of goodwill, all of which is allocated to the RNG segment. The goodwill is primarily associated with the acquisition of Aria in the Business Combinations. As a result of the annual impairment test performed as of October 1, 2021, the Company determined that there were no indications of impairment related to the RNG segment's goodwill. No impairment of goodwill was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of biogas rights agreements, off-take agreements, O&M contracts, an RNG purchase contract, customer relationships and trade names that were recognized as a result of the allocation of the purchase price under business acquisitions based on their future value to the Company, and such intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives. The biogas rights agreements have various renewal terms in their underlying contracts that are factored into the useful lives when amortizing the intangible asset.
Intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)2021
Gross Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Biogas rights agreements$603,868 $8,237 $595,631 
Electricity off-take agreements26,511 749 25,762 
Operations and maintenance contracts8,620 173 8,447 
RNG purchase contract10,290 1,959 8,331 
Customer relationships350 140 210 
Trade names150 60 90 
Total$649,789 $11,318 $638,471 
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands)2020
Gross Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Biogas rights agreements$8,293 $— $8,293 
Customer relationships350 70 280 
Trade names150 30 120 
Total$8,793 $100 $8,693 
Total amortization expense was approximately $9.3 million and $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, excluding the $2.0 million of amortization of the RNG purchase contract for the year ended December 31, 2021 that is amortized to cost of energy.
Estimated future amortization expense, including amortization classified as cost of energy expense, for years ended December 31 is as follows:
(in thousands)

2022$39,539 
202335,521 
202433,729 
202533,629
202633,533
Thereafter462,520
Total$638,471 
Below-Market Contracts
As a result of the Aria Merger, the Company assumed certain fixed-price sales contracts that were below current and future market prices at the Closing Date. The contracts were recorded at fair value and are classified as other long-term liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021.
Gross Liability
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Gas off-take agreements$146,990 $4,360 $142,630 
The below-market contract amortization was $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and was recognized as an increase to revenues since it relates to the sale of RNG and related Environmental Attributes. The annual amortization is expected to be approximately $14.8 million for each of the next 5 years.
NOTE 10 – Commitments
Operating Leases
The Company has entered into warehouse, facility, and various office leases with third parties for periods ranging from one to eleven years.

The Company also entered into a related-party office lease as a result of its acquisition of interest in GCES in 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid $0.2 million under this related-party lease that expires in May 2022.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized rent expense of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of December 31, 2021, future minimum lease payments under the Company’s non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
(in thousands)

2022$1,465 
20231,893 
20241,831 
20251,843
20261,875
Thereafter12,448
Total future minimum lease payments$21,355
Other Commitments
The Company has various long-term contractual commitments pertaining to its biogas rights agreements. Excluding the evergreen contracts, these agreements expire at various dates through 2045.
NOTE 11 – Debt
The Company's outstanding debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
New Credit Agreement - Term Loan$218,625 $— 
Wilmington Trust – 4.47% Term Note60,828 — 
Wilmington Trust – 3.75% Term Note72,542 — 
Comerica Bank – Specific Advance Facility Note— 4,320 
Comerica Term Loan— 12,000 
Kubota Corporation – Term Notes— 46 

351,995 16,366 
Less unamortized debt issuance costs(9,221)(291)
Long-term debt less debt issuance costs342,774 16,075 
Less current maturities, net(11,378)(1,302)
Total long-term debt$331,396 $14,773 
Scheduled future maturities of long-term debt principal amounts are as follows:
(in thousands)
2022$12,752 
202317,108 
202417,371 
202517,598 
2026185,607 
Thereafter101,559 
Total$351,995 
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fair Value of Debt
The Company estimates the fair value of fixed-rate term loans based on quoted market yields for similarly rated debt instruments in an active market, which are considered a Level 2 input in the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2021, the estimated fair value of the Company's outstanding debt was approximately $353.1 million.
New Credit Facilities
On the Closing Date and upon consummation of the Business Combinations, Archaea Energy Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a LFG Buyer Co, LLC) (“Archaea Borrower”), entered into a $470 million Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders co-arranged by Comerica Bank. The New Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) with an initial commitment of $250 million and a senior secured term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan” and, together with the Revolver, the “Facilities”) with an initial commitment of $220 million. Pursuant to the New Credit Agreement, Archaea Borrower has the ability, subject to certain conditions, to draw upon the Revolver on a revolving basis up to the amount of the Revolver then in effect. On the Closing Date, Archaea Borrower received total proceeds of $220 million under Term Loan. Archaea Borrower had outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan of $218.6 million at an interest rate of 3.35% as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had issued letters of credit under the New Credit Agreement of $14.2 million and there were no borrowings under the Revolver, resulting in available borrowing capacity of $235.8 million under the Revolver.
The maturity date of the New Credit Agreement is the last to occur of (i) September 15, 2026, (ii) the date on which the commitments under the Revolver shall terminate in accordance with the New Credit Agreement (subject to any extensions, as applicable) and (iii) the date on which the commitments under the Term Loan shall terminate in accordance with the New Credit Agreement (subject to any extensions, as applicable). Interest on the Facilities is at a floating rate based on LIBOR, with a LIBOR floor of 0.00%, or the administrative agent’s prime rate, at Archaea Borrower’s election, plus a tiered rate of 1.75% to 3.25% based on the applicable rate and type of loan. The New Credit Agreement is secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of Archaea Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries and a pledge of the equity interests of Archaea Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries. The New Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default typical for a financing of this type, including a consolidated total leverage ratio covenant and a fixed charge coverage ratio, tested quarterly commencing December 31, 2021.
Assai Energy 3.75% and 4.47% Senior Secured Notes
On January 15, 2021, Assai Energy, LLC (“Assai Energy”) entered into a senior secured note purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase of $72.5 million in principal amount of 3.75% Senior Secured Notes (the “3.75% Notes”). Interest on the 3.75% Notes is payable quarterly in arrears, and the 3.75% Notes mature on September 30, 2031. On April 5, 2021, Assai Energy entered into an additional senior secured note purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase of $60.8 million in principal amount of its 4.47% Senior Secured Notes (the “4.47% Notes” and, together with the 3.75% Notes, collectively the “Assai Notes”). Interest is payable quarterly in arrears, and the 4.47% Notes mature on September 30, 2041. As of December 31, 2021, Assai Energy received total proceeds of $133.4 million from the Assai Notes of which approximately $30.0 million was used to complete the acquisition of PEI. The remaining proceeds are expected to be used to fund the continued development of the Assai production facility.
Wilmington Trust, National Association is the collateral agent for the secured parties for the Assai Notes. The Assai Notes are secured by all Assai plant assets and plant revenues and a pledge of the equity interests of Assai Energy. Cash received from the Assai Notes is restricted for use on Assai related costs and cannot be used for general corporate purposes.
Line of Credit
The Company had a revolving line of credit agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica”) that provided for maximum borrowings of $8.0 million. The Company had no outstanding balance on the line of credit as of December 31, 2020, and the line of credit was paid off in full and terminated at the closing of the Business Combinations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Secured Promissory Notes
On July 15 and July 26, 2021, Archaea Holdings LLC entered into several secured promissory notes with certain lenders, including related parties to the Company, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $30.0 million, including promissory notes totaling approximately $16.5 million bearing interest at 20% per annum, and promissory notes totaling approximately $13.5 million bearing interest at 7.5% per annum. All unpaid principal and unpaid accrued interest of the foregoing promissory notes were due the earlier of (a) the one-year anniversary of the respective issuance date (July 15, 2022 or July 26, 2022), (b) the closing date of the Business Combinations, or (c) the date on which all amounts under promissory notes shall become due and payable in the event of the Company’s default. The promissory notes bearing interest at 20% per annum included a guaranteed minimum interest payment of approximately $1.0 million in aggregate. These promissory notes were repaid in full at the closing of the Business Combinations.
Boyd County Credit Agreement
On November 10, 2020, Archaea Holdings, LLC (“Archaea Holdings”) and Big Run Power Producers, LLC (“BRPP”), both wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, entered into certain promissory notes with Comerica pursuant to that certain credit agreement by and between Comerica, as the lender, and Archaea Holdings and BRPP, as the borrowers (the “Boyd County Credit Agreement”). Noble Environmental, Inc. (“Noble”) guaranteed the Boyd County Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the Boyd County Credit Agreement, Comerica made available to the borrowers a $5.0 million secured specific advance facility loan (the “SAF Loan”) and a $12.0 million secured term loan (the “Comerica Term Loan”). The SAF Loan and the Comerica Term Loan bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.5%. In addition to the Comerica Term Loan and the SAF Loan, Comerica has also made available to the borrowers a corporate credit card program with a credit limit of $3.5 million for use by the borrowers in connection with the operation of the business. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company received total proceeds under the SAF Loan and Comerica Term Loan of approximately $17.0 million and approximately $16.3 million, respectively. The Boyd County Credit Agreement, including the SAF Loan and the Comerica Term Loan, was repaid in full at the closing of the Business Combinations.
Noble Environmental, Inc., a related party of Archaea, guaranteed Archaea Holding’s and BRPP's obligations under the Boyd County Credit Agreement (the “Noble Guaranty”). In consideration of Noble furnishing the Noble Guaranty, Noble required that Archaea Holdings and BRPP incur a guaranty fee. The guaranty fee is accrued on the face value of the guaranteed obligation, which shall accrue interest at a 20% interest rate subject to adjustments. The guaranty fee was evidenced by a promissory note dated November 10, 2020 made by Archaea Holding and BRPP payable to Noble Environmental Inc. (the “Noble Note”). The Noble Note aggregate balance of $3.2 million was repaid in full at the closing of the Business Combinations.
Paycheck Protection Program Loan
During 2020, the Company received a $0.2 million loan and GCES received a $0.5 million loan from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) as provided for under the Paycheck Protection Program (“Program”) established in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) signed into law on March 27, 2020. The Company utilized the loan proceeds in accordance with established Program guidelines which would result in forgiveness of the full amount of the loan. The forgiveness of the loan resulted in no interest being charged to the Company.
In March 2021, the Company had received notification from the lending institution that the full amount of the loan had been forgiven, and the proceeds were recorded in other income in the first quarter of 2021. The amount of the proceeds received under this loan at December 31, 2020 was reflected in the accompanying balance sheets as other long-term liability.
In December 2020, GCES had received notification from the lending institution that the full amount of the loan had been forgiven, and the proceeds were recorded in other income in the fourth quarter of 2020.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 12 – Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued and other current liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

(in thousands)20212020
Accrued expenses$16,638 $5,957 
Accrued capital expenditures16,609 — 
Derivative liabilities771 — 
Payroll and related costs7,683 — 
Accrued interest738 590 
Contract liabilities505 1,423 
Other current liabilities3,335 300 
Total$46,279 $8,270 
NOTE 13 – Derivative Instruments
Warrant Liabilities
The Public Warrants, Forward Purchase Warrants, and Private Placement Warrants contain exercise and settlement features that preclude them from being classified within in shareholders’ equity, and therefore are recognized as derivative liabilities. The Company recognizes these warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value included within other income (loss) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Derivative warrant liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities. As of the Business Combinations, the Company had 12,112,492 total Public Warrants and Forward Purchase Warrants (together the “Redeemable Warrants”) and 6,771,000 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. The Redeemable Warrants had an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustments, and expired on September 15, 2026, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. The Redeemable Warrants became exercisable on October 26, 2021.

The warrants contained a feature that if the last sale price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share on the last trading day before the notice of redemption is sent to the warrant holders, the Company may redeem the Redeemable Warrants for cash at a price of $0.10 per warrant. During the 30-day redemption period in this instance, warrant holders can elect to exercise their warrants on a cash or cashless basis.
If the last sale price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day before the notice of redemption is sent to the warrant holders, the Company may redeem the outstanding Redeemable Warrants for cash at a price of $0.01 per warrant. If the Company calls the Redeemable Warrants for redemption for cash as described above, the Company will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering Redeemable Warrants for that number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the “fair market value” (as defined in the following sentence) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” of shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock shall mean the volume weighted average price of our shares of Class A Common Stock as reported during the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Warrants; however, in no event will the Redeemable Warrants be exercisable in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361shares of Class A Common Stock per Redeemable Warrant (subject to adjustment).
In November 2021, the $18.00 trigger was met, and the Company issued a redemption notice to the holders of our Redeemable Warrants stating the Company would redeem all of our Redeemable Warrants to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock, that remain outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 6, 2021 for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. The Public Warrants were issued under the Warrant Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, by and
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
among the Company, LFG Acquisition Holdings LLC and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, as part of the units sold in the IPO. The Forward Purchase Warrants were issued to Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC in a private placement simultaneously with the consummation of Business Combinations. During the redemption period, 9,114,403 Public Warrants and all 250,000 Forward Purchase Warrants were exercised for cash at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Class A Common Stock, generating a total proceeds of $107.7 million to the Company. Additionally, 2,724,515 Public Warrants were exercised on a cashless basis in exchange for an aggregate of 983,520 shares of Class A Common Stock. The remaining 23,574 unexercised and outstanding Public Warrants were redeemed for $0.10 per Public Warrant. At December 8, 2021, all Redeemable Warrants had been exercised or redeemed, and the ticker symbol of Public Warrants traded on the NYSE was removed.
To minimize dilution to its existing stockholders as a result of the warrant exercises, the Company used cash proceeds received from exercises of Redeemable Warrants to repurchase 6,101,449 shares of Class A Common Stock from Aria Renewable Energy Systems LLC at a pre-negotiated price of $17.65 per share.

The Private Placement Warrants remain outstanding as of December 31, 2021, and each is exercisable to purchase 1 share of Class A Common Stock or, in certain circumstances, 1 Class A Opco Unit and corresponding share of Class B Common Stock. The Private Placement Warrants expire on September 15, 2026, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. Private Placement Warrants are nonredeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their permitted transferees. There were no Private Placement Warrants transfers as of December 31, 2021.
Prior to their exercise, the fair value of the Redeemable Warrants was based on observable listed prices on the NYSE for such warrants (a Level 1 measurement). The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model (a Level 3 measurement).
The Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants:
As of September 15, 2021
at Initial
Measurement
December 31,
2021
Stock price$18.05$18.28
Exercise price$11.50$11.50
Volatility45.8 %46.0 %
Expected term (years)5.04.7
Risk-free interest rate0.79 %1.21 %
The change in the fair value of the warrant liabilities is recognized in gain (loss) on derivative contracts in the consolidated statement of operations. The changes in the Redeemable Warrants and Private Placement Warrants liabilities through December 31, 2021 are as follows:
(in thousands)

Warrant liabilities as of September 15, 2021 (Closing Date)$150,153 
Change in fair value3,015 
Less fair value of warrants exercised or redeemed(85,878)
Warrant liabilities as of December 31, 2021$67,290 
Natural Gas Swap
In conjunction with the Business Combinations, the Company assumed a natural gas variable to fixed priced swap agreement entered into by Aria. The Company is the fixed price payer under the swap agreement that provides for monthly net settlements thorough the termination date of June 30, 2023. The agreement was intended to manage the risk associated with changing commodity prices. The agreement has a remaining notional of 327,600 MMBtu as of December 31, 2021.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company received cash payments of $0.1 million for the natural gas swap for the period from the Closing Date through December 31, 2021.
Changes in the fair values and realized gains (losses) for the natural gas swap are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative contracts in the consolidated statement of operations. Valuation of the natural gas swap was calculated by discounting future net cash flows that were based on a forward price curve for natural gas over the remaining life of the contract (a Level 2 measurement), with an adjustment for each counterparty’s credit rate risk.
Interest Rate Swap
In December 2021, the Company entered into an interest rate swap that locks in payments of a fixed interest rate of 1.094% in exchange for a floating interest rate that resets monthly based on LIBOR. The interest rate swap was not designated as a hedging instrument, and net gains and losses are recognized currently in gain (loss) on derivative contracts. The interest rate swap notional begins at $109.3 million and declines over the term of the swap ending at $94.9 million as of the December 2024 contract termination date.
The following summarizes the balance sheet classification and fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 :
(in thousands)20212020
Other non-current assets
Interest rate swap asset$439 $— 
Total derivative assets$439 $— 
Accrued and other current liabilities
Natural gas swap liability$44 $— 
Interest rate swap liability727 — 
Derivative liabilities
Natural gas swap liability134 — 
Warrant liabilities67,290 — 
Total derivative liabilities$68,195 $— 
The following table summarizes the income statement effect of gains and losses related to derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
Gain (loss) on natural gas swap contract$(424)$— 
Gain (loss) on warrant liabilities(3,015)— 
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contract(288)— 
Total$(3,727)$— 
NOTE 14 – Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) associated with the future environmental remediation responsibility to restore the land and remove biogas plants and related facilities within one year of the expiration of certain operating lease agreements. The fair value of the ARO is measured using expected cash outflows associated with the ARO, adjusted for inflation and discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free rate when the liability is initially recorded. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. ARO estimates are derived from historical costs and management’s expectations of future cost elements, and therefore, the Company has designated these liabilities as Level 3 financial liabilities. The significant inputs to this fair value measurement include cost estimates of asset removals, site clean-up, transportation and remediation costs, inflation estimates, and the Company's credit-adjusted risk-free rate.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following summarizes changes in the Company’s ARO liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(in thousands)20212020
Balance at beginning of period$306 $— 
Liabilities acquired(1)
3,580 — 
Liabilities incurred706 306 
Accretion expense85 — 
Balance at end of period$4,677 $306 
(1) Liabilities acquired relate to asset retirement obligations assumed in the Aria Merger. See “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization.”
NOTE 15 – Fair Value Measurements
Fair Values - Recurring
The Company’s Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants were assumed in connection with the Business Combinations and are accounted for as liabilities carried at fair value prior to their exercise. The fair value of the Public Warrants was based on observable listed prices on the NYSE. Therefore, the Company designated the Public Warrant liabilities as Level 1 financial liabilities prior to their exercise. The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with observable and estimated inputs. Therefore, the Company has designated the Private Placement Warrant liabilities as Level 3 financial liabilities for which there is no current market such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgement or estimation. See “Note 13 - Derivatives Instruments” for quantitative inputs and assumptions for fair value measurements of the Private Placement Warrants.
The Company has a natural gas variable to fixed-priced swap agreement that is accounted for as a derivative. Changes in fair value of such agreement are recognized in earnings. The fair value of the Company’s natural gas derivative instruments are measured using an industry-standard pricing model, and the fair value of the natural gas derivative was calculated by discounting future net cash flows that were based on a forward price curve for natural gas over the life of the contract, and adjusted for each counterparty's credit rate risk, which are considered as Level 2 measurement.
The Company entered into an interest rate swap in December 2021, that locks in a fixed interest rate of 1.094% in exchange for a floating interest rate that resets monthly based on LIBOR, and net gains and losses are recognized currently in gain (loss) on derivative contracts. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap is measured using observable benchmark rates at commonly quoted intervals for the term of interest rate swap contracts, which is considered a Level 2 measurement.
There were no outstanding derivative instruments as of December 31, 2020.
The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments and the fair value hierarchy for the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total Fair Value
December 31, 2021
Assets
Interest rate swap$— $439 $— $439 
Liabilities
Private Placement Warrant liabilities$— $— $67,290 $67,290 
Natural gas swap— 178 — 178 
Interest rate swap— 727 — 727 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial Instruments Fair Value
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the fair value of other financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, and accrued and deferred expenses approximate the carrying values because of the short-term maturity of those items. See “Note 11 - Debt” for the fair value of the Company's debt.
Fair Values - Nonrecurring
The Company applies the provisions of the fair value measurement standard on a nonrecurring basis to non-financial assets and liabilities, including goodwill, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, below-market contracts, and asset retirement obligations. These assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments when facts and circumstances arise that indicate a need for remeasurement.
The fair value measurements of goodwill, assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including below-market contracts assumed, in the business combinations are measured on a nonrecurring basis on the acquisition date based on inputs that are not observable in the market, and therefore, represent Level 3 inputs and measurements. See “Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets” and “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization”.
The fair value of the asset retirement obligations is measured using expected cash outflows associated with the ARO, adjusted for inflation and discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free rate when the liability is initially recorded. ARO estimates are derived from historical costs and management’s expectations of future cost elements, and therefore, represent Level 3 measurements. See “Note 14 - Asset Retirement Obligations.”
There were no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
NOTE 16 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders’ Equity
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
The redeemable noncontrolling interest relates to Class A Opco Units, including units issued in connection with the Business Combinations and units owned by the Sponsor, Atlas or Company directors. As of December 31, 2021, the Company directly owned approximately 54.5% of the interest in Opco and the redeemable noncontrolling interest was 45.5%. Holders of Class A Opco Units other than Archaea own an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock and have a redemption right, subject to certain limitations, to redeem Class A Opco Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock for, at Opco’s option, (i) shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) a corresponding amount of cash. Due to the cash redemption provisions of the redemption right, the Company has accounted for the redeemable noncontrolling interest as temporary equity.
Stockholders' Equity

Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 10.0 million shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding.
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 900.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. The Company is authorized to issue 190.0 million shares of Class B Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Class B Common Stock represents a non-economic interest in the Company.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following is a summary of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2021:
(in shares)Class A Common StockClass B Common Stock
Outstanding at beginning of period— — 
Reverse recapitalization and PIPE Financing52,847,195 5,931,350 
Issued to Legacy Archaea Holders— 23,000,000 
Issued in Aria Merger— 33,350,385 
Issued for warrant exercises10,347,923 — 
Exchange of Class B Common Stock for Class A Common Stock7,943,621 (7,943,621)
Retirement of Class A Common Stock repurchased(6,101,449)— 
Issued for vested RSUs84,910 — 
Outstanding at end of period65,122,200 54,338,114 
Voting Rights
Holders of the Class A Common Stock and holders of the Class B Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, except as required by law. Each share of common stock will have 1 vote on all such matters.
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest included the portion of equity ownership in GCES that was not attributable to the unitholders of Opco. The remaining interest in GCES was acquired by Opco in December 2021.
NOTE 17 – Share-Based Compensation
In connection with Business Combinations, the Company adopted the 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Company may grant restricted stock, RSUs, incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, stock awards and other stock-based awards to officers, directors, employees and consultants under the terms of the Plan. There are 11.3 million shares authorized under the plan as of December 31, 2021, and approximately 10.4 million shares remain available for future issuance as of December 31, 2021. The expense is measured at the grant-date fair value of the award and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period, which is the vesting period. The Company has elected to account for forfeitures of awards granted under the Plan as they occur in determining compensation expense.
Restricted Stock
On December 29, 2021, the Company granted a total of 991,020 RSUs to certain employees, officers, and non-employee directors. One RSU award was fully vested on the grant date, the RSUs issued to the non-employee directors vested in full on January 1, 2022, and the remaining RSUs issued vest over periods ranging from 6 months to 3 years from the Business Combinations Closing Date. RSUs will be subject to forfeiture restrictions and cannot be sold, transferred, or disposed of during the restriction period.
For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $2.7 million and zero of share-based compensation expense respectively related to RSUs. At December 31, 2021, there was $14.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below summarizes RSUs activity for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Restricted Stock Units
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date
Fair Value
(per share)
Outstanding at December 31, 2020$
Granted991,020 $17.23
Vested (1)
(140,000)$17.23
Forfeited— $
Outstanding at December 31, 2021851,020$17.23
____________________________
(1) Vested RSUs include 55,090 units that were not converted into Class A Common Stock due to net share settlements to cover employee withholding taxes.
Series A Incentive Plan
Legacy Archaea adopted a Series A Incentive Plan in 2018 to provide economic incentives to select employees and other service providers in order to align their interests with equity holders of Legacy Archaea. The Series A unit awards were determined to be equity classified. These Series A unit awards were granted by, and for equity interest in, Archaea Energy LLC. As of December 31, 2020, there were 4,000 vested and 4,500 unvested Series A unit awards. Under the original terms of the awards, all unvested Series A units outstanding were vested upon Closing of Business Combinations.
Series A Incentive Plan activities related to unvested units during the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Series A
Incentive Units
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date
Fair Value
(per share)
Outstanding at December 31, 20204,500 $— 
Granted1,500 $1,565.90 
Forfeited(250)$— 
Vested(5,750)$408.52 
Outstanding at December 31, 2021— $— 
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Legacy Archaea recognized compensation expense of $2.3 million and zero, respectively, related to Series A units awards. As a result of the Business Combinations, the Series A Incentive Plan is no longer applicable to the Company.
NOTE 18 – Employee Benefit Plans
401(k) Plans
The Company maintains 2 separate qualified tax deferred 401(k) plans that cover all employees who meet the one of 401(k) plan’s eligibility requirements. The Company matches up to 100% of each participant’s contribution up to a maximum of 5% of the participant’s eligible compensation.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Postretirement Obligations
Effective with the Business Combinations, the Company sponsors an unfunded defined benefit health care plan that provides postretirement medical benefits to certain legacy Aria full-time employees who meet minimum age and service requirements.
The following table sets forth changes in the plan’s benefit obligations:

(in thousands)20212020
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$— $— 
Addition due to Business Combinations3,567 — 
Service cost11 — 
Interest cost27 — 
Net actuarial (gain) loss(917)— 
Net benefits paid(71)— 
Benefit obligation at end of year$2,617$— 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, consist of:
(in thousands)20212020
Accrued benefit liability$2,617 $— 
Net periodic benefit cost recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss was as follows:
(in thousands)20212020
Service cost$11$
Interest cost27 — 
Net actuarial (gain) loss(917)— 
Net periodic benefit cost$(879)$
The discount rate assumption for the net periodic benefit cost for 2021 was 2.62% and the discount rate assumption for the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2021 was 2.56%.
Estimated future benefit payments for the next 10 years are as follows for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)

2022$206 
2023162
2024150
2025142
2026147
2027 to 2031745
NOTE 19 – Risk and Uncertainties
The Company maintains at a financial institution cash and cash equivalents that may periodically exceed federally insured limits. It is the opinion of management that the solvency of the financial institution is not of particular concern currently. As such, management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk related to cash and cash equivalents.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 20 – Provision for Income Tax
The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 consisted of the following:
(in thousands)20212020
Current
Federal$— $— 
State— — 
Deferred
Federal— — 
State— — 
Income tax expense$— $— 
The Company recognized federal and state income tax expense of $0 million and $0 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company did not record a tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to Archaea Energy LLC's status as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A reconciliation of income tax expense from operations to the federal statutory rate for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

(in thousands)20212020
Income (loss) before income taxes (all domestic)$(30,921)$(2,236)
U.S. federal statutory tax rate21 %21 %
Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate$(6,493)$(470)
State and local taxes(183)
Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate on net income (loss) from pass-through entities not attributable to Class A Common Stock4,657 648 
Change in valuation allowance1,832 (80)
PPP loan forgiveness - nontaxable— (102)
Other187 — 
Income tax expense$— $— 
The effective tax rates were 0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 0% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% was primarily due to a full valuation allowance recorded on the Company’s net U.S. and State deferred tax assets, income (loss) from pass-through entities not attributable to Class A Common Stock, and state and local taxes.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Significant items comprising the net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2021 and 2020 were:
(in thousands)20212020
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards$3,430 $194 
Investment in partnership ("Outside Basis Deferred Tax Asset") (1)
51,799 
Other110 46

55,339 240 
Valuation allowance(55,224)(109)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance115 131 
Deferred tax liabilities
Depreciation— 47
Intangible assets11584
115131
Net deferred tax asset$$
_______________________
(1) This amount is the deferred tax asset the Company recognizes for its book to tax basis difference in its investment in Opco.

At December 31, 2021, Archaea Energy Inc. and certain subsidiaries had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $15.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively, which will be able to offset future taxable income. The U.S. federal losses will be carried forward indefinitely. State net operating losses have carryover periods ranging from 10 years to unlimited periods.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company determined it is not more likely than not the Company’s net deferred tax assets will be realized due to significant negative evidence such as cumulative losses and continues to maintain a full valuation allowance. The valuation allowance for the Company increased by $55.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a decrease of $0.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2020.The increase is related to the valuation allowance applied to deferred tax assets resulting from the Business Combinations, deferred tax assets relating to the acquisition of additional interests in Opco during the fourth quarter, and additional operating losses incurred during 2021. The Company and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal income tax returns and tax returns in various states. The Company is not under any material audits in any jurisdiction.
There are no uncertain tax benefits recorded as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of the employer portion of certain payroll taxes, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The Company analyzed the provisions of the CARES Act and determined there was no significant impact to its income tax for the year ended December 31, 2021.Future regulatory guidance under the CARES Act or additional legislation enacted by Congress could impact our tax provision in future periods.
Additionally, the CARES Act is an economic emergency aid package to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company implemented certain provisions of the CARES Act, specifically securing loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. All amounts outstanding under such loans have been forgiven as of December 31, 2021.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 21 – Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Archaea Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization and is treated as the equivalent of Legacy Archaea receiving proceeds for the issuance of the outstanding Class A and Class B shares, as well as the warrants, of Rice Acquisition Corp. accompanied by a recapitalization. Therefore, Class A Common Stock is deemed to be outstanding beginning at the Closing due to the reverse recapitalization.
The Company’s basic earnings per share (“EPS”) of Class A Common Stock is computed based on the average number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS includes the effects of the Company’s outstanding RSUs and Public Warrants, Forward Purchase Warrants, and Private Placement Warrants, as appropriate prior to their exercise if applicable, unless the effects are anti-dilutive to EPS.
The following provides a reconciliation between basic and diluted EPS attributable to Class A Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(in thousands, except per share amounts)20212020
Net income (loss) attributable to Class A Common Stock$(5,153)$— 
Class A Common Stock
Average number of shares outstanding - basic56,466 — 
Average number of shares outstanding - diluted56,466 — 
Net income (loss) per share of Class A Common Stock
Basic and diluted$(0.09)$
The following potential common shares were excluded from diluted EPS in 2021 as the Company had a net loss for the year: 15,303,946 weighted-average warrants and 159,751 weighted-average RSUs.
NOTE 22 - Contingencies
Management has regular litigation reviews, including updates from corporate and outside counsel, to assess the need for accounting recognition or disclosure of contingencies. The Company accrues an undiscounted liability for contingencies where a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a range of amounts can be reasonably estimated and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, then the minimum of the range is accrued. The Company does not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated or when the liability is believed to be only tworeasonably possible or remote. The Company does not believe the ultimate outcome of any currently pending lawsuit will have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial statements, and the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. In July 2021, Legacy Archaea settled certain lawsuits on confidential terms with the lawsuits being dismissed with prejudice.
NOTE 23 – Segment Information
The Company’s 2 reporting segments for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are RNG and Power. The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of its segments based on operational measures including revenues, net income and EBITDA.
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ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following summarizes selected financial information for the Company’s reporting segments:
(in thousands)RNGPowerCorporate and OtherTotal
Year ended December 31, 2021
Revenue$51,024$20,285$5,817$77,126
Intersegment revenue— 872 (872)— 
Total revenue and other income51,02421,1574,94577,126
Equity investment income, net5,042 641 (30)5,653 
Net income (loss)17,362(1,492)(46,791)(30,921)
Interest expense4904,3074,797
Depreciation, amortization and accretion10,0295,71827816,025
EBITDA$27,881$4,226$(42,206)$(10,099)
December 31, 2021
Goodwill$29,211 $$$29,211
Year ended December 31, 2020
Revenue$34$$6,4896,523
Intersegment revenue— — — — 
Total revenue and other income346,4896,523
Equity investment income, net— — — — 
Net income (loss)(1,125)(11)(1,100)(2,236)
Interest expense— — 20 20 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion— 134 137 
EBITDA$(1,122)$(11)$(946)$(2,079)
December 31, 2020
Goodwill$2,754$$$2,754
Major Customers

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues and other income in 2021 and 2020.
NOTE 24 – Related Party Transactions
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract
Assai Energy, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) entered into a construction service and project guarantee agreement with Noble Environmental Specialty Services, LLC (“NESS”) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble). NESS is responsible for constructing an RNG plant located at the Keystone Landfill, near Scranton, PA. The total contract price for the engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contract is $19.9 million. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has paid a total of $17.9 million to NESS under the EPC contract. The Company also reimbursed NESS $5.8 million for costs outside the EPC related to the Assai project. This agreement is considered to be a related party transaction due to the owners of NESS also being certain employees of the Company. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a related party balances with NESS including a payable of $1.5 million and a receivable of $0.2 million.
O&M Contracts with Mavrix JV
The Company provides O&M services to the Mavrix JV and recognized revenues of $0.4 million for the period from the Business Combinations thorough December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a related party balances with Mavrix including a payable of zero and a receivable of $0.4 million.

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Predecessor - Aria Energy LLC Financial Statements

Archaea determined that Aria is the predecessor to the Company due to the relative fair values of the Company and legacy operations Aria had compared to Archaea. As such, we have included Aria's consolidated statements of operations for the periods January 1 to September 14, 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2020, and the consolidated balance sheets as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020. See Archaea Energy Inc.’s “Note 4 - Business Combinations and Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors
Aria Energy LLC:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aria Energy LLC and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2021 through September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 1, 2021 through September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
Detroit, Michigan
March 18, 2022

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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
Consolidated Balance Sheets


(in thousands)September 14,
2021
December 31,
2020
ASSETS

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$4,903 $14,257 
Accounts receivable27,338 20,727 
Inventory9,015 7,770 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets3,834 3,768 
Assets held for sale— 70,034 
Total Current Assets45,090 116,556 
Property and equipment, net63,829 70,759 
Intangible assets, net117,737 126,922 
Equity method investments86,200 77,993 
Other noncurrent assets882 689 
Total Assets$313,738 $392,919 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable - trade$2,439 $1,570 
Current portion of long-term debt, net90,430 102,831 
Accrued and other current liabilities25,210 25,736 
Liabilities held for sale— 12,534 
Total Current Liabilities118,079 142,671 
Long-term debt, net— 136,593 
Derivative liabilities— 1,268 
Below-market contracts3,935 5,769 
Asset retirement obligations3,580 3,408 
Other long-term liabilities5,351 5,150 
Total Liabilities130,945 294,859 
Commitments and contingencies00
Equity
Controlling interest
Class A units299,327 299,327 
Class B units19,327 19,327 
Class C units
Retained loss(134,726)(218,957)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,136)(1,349)
Total Controlling Interest182,793 98,349 
Noncontrolling interest— (289)
Total Equity182,793 98,060 
Total Liabilities and Equity$313,738 $392,919 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (Predecessor)

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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
Consolidated Statements of Operations



(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues and Other Income
Energy revenue$120,250 $132,580 
Construction revenue32 9,983 
Amortization of intangibles and below-market contracts(2,693)(3,682)
Total Revenues and Other Income117,589 138,881 
Equity Investment Income, net19,777 9,298 
Cost of Sales
Cost of energy56,291 72,519 
Cost of other revenues30 9,507 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion15,948 30,564 
Total Cost of Sales72,269 112,590 
Gain on disposal of assets(1,347)— 
Impairment of assets— 25,293 
General and administrative expenses33,737 20,782 
Operating Income (Loss)32,707 (10,486)
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense, net(10,729)(19,305)
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts1,129 (135)
Gain on extinguishment of debt61,411 — 
Other income
Total Other Income (Expense)51,813 (19,437)
Net Income (Loss)84,520 (29,923)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest289 78 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interest$84,231 $(30,001)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (Predecessor)

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income



(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Net Income (Loss)$84,520 $(29,923)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net actuarial income213 (45)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)84,733 (29,968)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest289 78 
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interest$84,444 $(30,046)



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (Predecessor)

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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
Consolidated Statements of Equity



Controlling Interest
(in thousands)Class A
Units
Class B
Units
Class C
Units
Retained
Earnings (Loss)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
Total
Controlling
Interest
Noncontrolling
Interest
Total
Equity
Balance – December 31, 2019$299,327 $19,327 $$(188,956)$(1,304)$128,395 $(266)$128,129 
Net income (loss)— — — (30,001)— (30,001)78 (29,923)
Adjustments for postretirement plan— — — — (45)(45)— (45)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — — (101)(101)
Balance – December 31, 2020299,327 19,327 (218,957)(1,349)98,349 (289)98,060 
Net income (loss)— — — 84,231 — 84,231 289 84,520 
Adjustments for postretirement plan— — — — 213 213 — 213 
Balance – September 14, 2021$299,327 $19,327 $$(134,726)$(1,136)$182,793 $— $182,793 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (Predecessor)

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)$84,520 $(29,923)
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion15,948 30,564 
Impairment of assets— 25,293 
Gain on disposal of assets(1,573)— 
Amortization of debt origination costs699 1,382 
Amortization of intangibles and below-market contracts859 1,238 
Return on investment in equity method investments19,518 13,016 
Equity in earnings of equity method investments(19,777)(8,823)
Change in fair value of derivatives(1,268)(1,246)
Gain on extinguishment of debt(61,411)— 
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost106 106 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(4,728)(5,835)
Inventory(1,318)(140)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(143)(966)
Other non-current assets(196)368 
Trade accounts payable478 (131)
Accrued and other current liabilities19,231 6,126 
Net cash provided by operating activities50,945 31,029 
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment(2,318)(2,324)
Contributions to equity method investments(8,430)(13,020)
Net cash used in investing activities(10,748)(15,344)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments on note payable and revolving credit agreement— (16,408)
Proceeds from revolving credit agreement— 8,000 
Payments on long-term debt(49,551)0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest— (101)
Net cash used in financing activities(49,551)(8,509)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(9,354)7,176 
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period14,257 7,081 
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period$4,903 $14,257 
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest$5,940 $11,617 
Noncash investing activities
Accruals of property and equipment incurred but not yet paid$25 $151 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (Predecessor)

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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - Description of Business - Predecessor
Aria Energy LLC and its subsidiaries (“Aria”) design, install, own, and operate long-lived energy projects. Aria was originally formed on September 6, 2007, as EIF Renewable Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware LLC, headquartered in Novi, Michigan. Aria generates its revenue from customers located throughout the United States from the production and sale of electrical energy from LFG fuel engines and related Environmental Attributes, production and sale of RNG and related Environmental Attributes, operating and maintaining LFG projects owned by third parties, and constructing energy projects. Environmental Attributes include RECs in the power market and RINs and LCFS credits in the RNG market. Aria benefits from federal and state renewable fuel standards and federal compliance requirements for landfill owners and operators.
Funds managed by Ares EIF Management LLC held 94.35% of the ownership interests in Aria before the Closing of the Business Combinations.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of Aria Energy LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
NOTE 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Predecessor
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements of Aria have been prepared on the basis of United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation
Segment Reporting
Aria reports segment information in 2 segments: RNG and Power. LFG fuel source is a common element, though Aria had a new RNG plant that was under construction as of the Closing that will utilize waste from dairy cattle. Aria managed RNG and electric production as separate operating groups and measured production output in terms of megawatt hours (MWh) for Power projects, and energy content is expressed as MMBtu for RNG. Other segment reporting considerations include:
There are separate operating and leadership teams for RNG and Power, each of whom have different skill sets. The processes for production are unique.
Customers are different. Utilities and ISO’s are buyers of electricity and RECs. Municipalities and energy companies are the primary buyers of RNG and RINs.
Economics are much stronger with RNG. Prices for both segments are volatile, but based on different drivers.
Aria operates a small portfolio of power plants for third parties. Operationally these plants are the same as wholly-owned projects.
Aria operates RNG plants for its joint venture (JV) Mavrix LLC (“Mavrix”). These plants are operationally the same as wholly-owned plants.
Construction activity is limited to wholly owned or JV plants. No construction activity is performed for third parties. Construction revenue only exists when building assets for non-consolidated subsidiaries.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity ownership in subsidiaries that is not attributable to the equity holders of Aria Energy LLC. Noncontrolling interests are initially recorded at transaction price which is equal to their fair value and subsequently the amount is adjusted for the proportionate share of earnings and other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests and any dividends or distributions paid to the noncontrolling interests. In the second quarter of 2021, noncontrolling interest was extinguished as part of the sale of LES Project Holdings LLC (“LESPH”).
Revenue Recognition
Aria generates revenue from the production and sale of electricity, gas, and their renewable energy attributes, and performance of other landfill energy services. Based on requirements of GAAP, a portion of revenue is accounted for under ASC 840, Leases, and a portion under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASC 840, revenue is recognized generally upon delivery of electricity, gas, and their related renewable Environmental Attributes. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control of promised goods or services to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which is expected to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Based on the terms of the PPAs, the amounts recorded under ASC 840 are generally consistent with revenue recognized under ASC 606. For the year-to-date period ended September 14, 2021, approximately 36% of revenue was accounted for under ASC 606 and 64% under ASC 840. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 41% of revenue was accounted for under ASC 606 and 59% under ASC 840.
The following tables display Aria’s revenue by major source and by operating segment for the periods January 1 to September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020:
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
RNG, including RINs and LCFSs$83,848 $75,143 
Gas O&M service974 — 
Power, including RECs31,217 46,434 
Electric O&M service4,211 11,003 
Other32 9,983 
Total$120,282 $142,563 
Operating segments
RNG$84,853 $85,126 
Power35,429 57,437 
Total$120,282 $142,563 
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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Below is a description of accounting policies for each revenue stream:
Electricity
Aria sells a portion of the electricity it generates under the terms of PPAs or other contractual arrangements which is included in energy revenue. Most PPAs are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 840, as the majority of the output under each PPA is sold to a single off-taker. The PPAs have no minimum lease payments and all of the rental income under these leases is recorded as revenue when the electricity is delivered. PPAs that are not accounted for as leases are considered derivatives. Aria has elected the normal purchase normal sale exception for these contracts, and accounts for these PPAs under ASC 606. Revenue is recognized over time using an output method, as energy delivered best depicts the transfer of goods or services to the customer. Performance obligation for the delivery of energy is generally measured by MWh’s delivered based on contractual prices.
Certain of Aria’s generated electricity is sold through energy wholesale markets (New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), New England Independent System Operator (NEISO), and the Pennsylvania, Jersey, Maryland Independent System Operator (PJM)) into the day-ahead market. These electricity generation revenue streams are accounted for under ASC 606. These electric revenue streams are recognized over time using an output method, as energy delivered best depicts the transfer of goods or services to the customer. Performance obligation for the delivery of energy is generally measured by MWh’s delivered based on contractual prices. Aria also sells its capacity into the month-ahead and three-year ahead markets in the wholesale markets to satisfy system integrity and reliability requirements. Revenue from capacity is recognized under ASC 606 over time using an output method. Capacity, which is a stand-ready obligation to deliver energy when required by the customer, is measured using MWs of capacity.
Gas
Aria sells the gas it generates pursuant to various contractual arrangements which is included in energy revenue. These gas sales are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 840, as the majority of the output under each contract is sold to a single off-taker. These agreements have no minimum lease payments and all of the rental income under these leases is recorded as revenue when the gas is delivered to the customer based on contractual prices.
Aria also has a division that resells biogas it purchases pursuant to various contractual arrangements which is included in energy revenue. This revenue is accounted for under ASC 606. Revenues related to these contracts are recognized at a point in time when control is transferred upon delivery of the biogas. Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis based on the volume of RNG delivered and the price agreed upon with the customer.
Environmental Attributes
Aria also generates revenue through the sale of Environmental Attributes, which is included in energy revenue. Aria’s electric plants generate renewable energy credits, or RECs, as they generate electricity. The majority of Aria’s RECs are generated by plants for which Aria has a PPA to sell all of the outputs (both energy and RECs) to the PPA counterparty and therefore are accounted for as operating leases in accordance with ASC 840, with revenue recognized as the energy and RECs are generated and delivered. For RECs not bundled with a PPA, revenue is recognized under ASC 606 at a point-in-time, when control is transferred. For RECs subject to sales agreements prior to energy generated, control is deemed to be transferred and revenue recognized when related energy is generated even in cases where there is a certification lag as it has been deemed to be perfunctory.
Aria generates renewable fuel credits called renewable identification numbers, or RINs. Pipeline-quality RNG processed from LFG qualifies for RINs when delivered to a compressed natural gas fueling station. RINs are similar to RECs on the electric side in that they reflect the value of renewable energy as a means to satisfy regulatory requirements or goals. They are different in that RINs exist pursuant to a national program and not an individual state program. The majority of Aria’s RINs are generated by plants for which Aria has a PPA to sell all of the outputs and are therefore accounted for as operating leases in accordance with ASC 840, with revenue recognized when the fuel is produced and transferred to a third party.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Construction Type Contracts
Aria, on occasion, enters into contracts to construct energy projects. This contract revenue is recorded under ASC 606 over time, using an input method based on costs incurred.
Operation and Maintenance (O&M)
Aria provides O&M services at projects owned by third parties which are included in Energy revenue on Aria’s consolidated statement of operations. Revenue for these services is recognized under ASC 606. O&M revenue is recognized over time, using the output method, based on the production of electricity or RNG from the project.
PPA and O&M Contract Amortization
Through historical acquisitions, Aria had both above and below-market contracts from PPAs and O&M agreements related to the sale of electricity or delivery of services in future periods for which the fair value has been determined to be more or less than market. The amount above and below-market value is being amortized to revenue over the remaining life of the underlying contract which is included in Energy revenue on Aria’s consolidated statement of operations.
Aria elected to recognize revenue using the right to invoice practical expedient and determined that the amounts invoiced to customers correspond directly with the value to customers and Aria’s satisfaction of the performance obligations to date. Furthermore, with the election of the right to invoice practical expedient, Aria also elects to omit disclosures on the remaining, or unsatisfied performance obligations since the revenue recognized corresponds to the amount that Aria has the right to invoice.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Aria considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Aria maintains amounts on deposit with various financial institutions, which may exceed federally insured limits. Management periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of those institutions. Aria had not experienced any losses on such deposits.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at the invoiced or estimated amounts adjusted for any allowance for doubtful accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established based on a specific assessment of all invoices that remain unpaid following normal customer payment periods. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts at September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020 based on Aria’s history with its existing customers. Payments on accounts receivable balances are typically due and paid within 30 days of invoice.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value. Inventory consists primarily of engine parts and supplies used in the maintenance of production equipment.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of the assets are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the assets. Maintenance and repair costs incurred by Aria are charged to expense as incurred in cost of energy. Changes in the assumption of useful lives of assets could have a smaller reporting companysignificant impact on Aria’s results of operations and financial condition. Upon sale or retirement, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the respective accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income. Interest incurred on funds borrowed to finance capital projects is capitalized until the last dayproject under construction is ready for its intended use. There was no interest capitalized for the year-to-date period ended September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the fiscalassets.
Held for Sale
During 2020, Aria enacted a plan to sell LESPH, and accordingly, the business was classified as held for sale through December 31, 2020. An agreement to sell the membership interests of the business subsequently was executed on March 1, 2021. The sale of LESPH was completed on June 10, 2021. Proceeds from the sale were $58.5 million, which were sent to the lenders of the LESPH debt discussed in Note 6. As discussed further in Note 6, in connection with the sale, Aria was released from its obligations under the LESPH debt and a gain on the extinguishment of debt in the amount of $61.4 million was recorded in conjunction with the sale, which accounts for the proceeds received, the debt and interest payable relieved and settlement of LESPH intercompany balances. Aria recorded an ordinary gain on sale of assets in the amount of $1.3 million in the period ended September 14, 2021.
The assets and liabilities included in the consolidated balance sheet that are held for sale as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
(in thousands)
Current assets
Accounts receivable$2,092 
Inventory3,034 
Related party accounts receivable and advances88 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets686 
Total current assets5,900 
Property and equipment – net4,906 
Intangible assets – net82,179 
Held for sale valuation allowance(25,293)
Investment in joint ventures2,342 
Total assets held for sale$70,034 
Current liabilities
Accounts payable - trade$824 
Accrued and other current liabilities2,066 
Total current liabilities2,890 
Below-market contracts6,060 
Asset retirement obligations3,584 
Total liabilities$12,534 
Aria recorded a valuation allowance in relation to its sale of LESPH’s assets and liabilities. Given the characteristics of the cooperative sale process, this was treated as a separate transaction from the settlement of the debt (through the execution of the Mutual Release Agreement). Since the former will result in a loss, it is recognized as an impairment charge of $25.3 million in 2020.
The pre-tax net earnings (losses) associated with LEPSH, including the gain on extinguishment of debt and ordinary gain on sale of assets recognized in 2021, included in Aria’s consolidated statement of operations were $67.6 million and $38.4 million for the year-to-date period ended September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively.
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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”), property and equipment, and intangible assets with finite useful lives are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. Such estimates are based on certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and may materially differ from actual results. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
For purposes of testing for an impairment loss, a long-lived asset or assets shall be grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The lowest level of cash inflows and outflows largely independent of other assets is generally determined to be a project, which represents a single electrical or gas generation facility located at a single landfill site. The group of assets and liabilities at the project level includes property and equipment, intangible assets (relating to gas rights agreements specific to the project site and, if applicable, the PPA also specific to the project site), and liabilities associated with out of market contracts (out of market PPAs, if applicable).
There were no triggering events related to Aria’s projects in the period ended September 14, 2021.
Other Noncurrent Assets
The other noncurrent assets represents long-term deposits with transportation and utility companies.

Debt Origination Costs
Debt origination costs were incurred in connection with various legal, consulting, and financial costs associated with debt financing and are reported net of accumulated amortization. These charges are being amortized over the term of the related debt agreements using the effective interest rate and are recorded as a reduction to long-term debt.
Equity Method Investments
Aria's investments in joint ventures are reported under the equity method. Under this method, Aria records its proportional share of its income or losses of joint ventures as equity investment income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
Derivative Instruments
Aria applies the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 requires each derivative instrument to be recorded and recognized on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, unless they meet the normal purchase/normal sale criteria and are designated and documented as such. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments were recognized in earnings.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) associated with long-lived assets are those for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, and written or oral contracts and for which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. AROs are recognized at fair value in the period in which they are incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Upon initial recognition of an obligation, Aria capitalizes the asset retirement cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its expected future value, while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Accretion expense is included in depreciation, amortization and accretion in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 10 for further disclosures on AROs.
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ARIA ENERGY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES (Predecessor)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Postretirement Obligations
Postretirement benefits amounts recognized in consolidated financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. Aria obtains an independent actuary valuation of its postretirement obligation annually as of December 31. To calculate the present value of plan liabilities, the discount rate needs to be determined which is an estimate of the interest rate at which the retirement benefits could be effectively settled. The discount rate is determined using the average effective rate derived through matching of projected benefit payments with the discount rate curve published by Citigroup as of each reporting date. See Note 8 for further disclosures on postretirement obligations.
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities are recognized in the consolidated financial statements as obligations of Aria that are due more than one year in the future. Based on a contractual obligation under its Mavrix LLC (Mavrix) operating agreement (as discussed in Note 5), as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Aria estimates an earn-out related to the performance of the Mavrix joint ventures payable in 2022 in the amount of $1.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The maximum earn-out under the operating agreement is $9.55 million.
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Comprehensive (loss) income consists of net (loss) income and other comprehensive (loss) income. Other comprehensive (loss) income includes certain changes in assets and liabilities recognized directly to equity, such as actuarial gains/losses on Aria’s postretirement plan.

Income Taxes
Aria Energy LLC is a limited liability company treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes has been made in the consolidated financial statements since taxable income or loss of Aria Energy LLC is required to be reported by the respective members on their individual income tax returns.
One of Aria Energy LLC’s subsidiaries is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal and applicable state income tax purposes. Income taxes of this subsidiary are accounted for under the asset and liability method. This entity has reported tax losses since inception; therefore there continues to be a full valuation allowance at September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020 recorded against its net deferred tax asset. The entity has recorded no income tax expense for the year-to-date period ended September 14, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which (i)potentially subject Aria to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. Certain accounts receivable are concentrated within entities engaged in the energy industry. These industry concentrations may impact Aria’s overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that the customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. Receivables and other contractual arrangements are subject to collateral requirements under the terms of enabling agreements. However, Aria believes that the credit risk posed by industry concentration is offset by the creditworthiness of its customer base.
Cost of Energy
Cost of energy consists primarily of labor, parts, and outside services required to operate and maintain owned project facilities, electricity consumed in the process of gas production, the transportation of gas or transmission of electricity to the delivery point, and royalty payments to landfill owners as stipulated in the gas rights agreements.
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Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity. The framework for establishing fair value is based on a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
Aria employs varying methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and trade accounts payables, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. For long-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate fair value as the interest rates obtained by Aria approximate the prevailing interest rates available to Aria for similar instruments.
In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), the hierarchy alluded to above is established that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy defines three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.

Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset. These Level 3 fair value measurements are based primarily on management’s own estimates using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques taking into account the characteristics of the asset.
In instances whereby inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. Aria’s assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset or liability.
NOTE 3 - Property, Plant and Equipment - Predecessor
Property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows:
(in thousands)September 14, 2021December 31, 2020
Buildings$25,391 $25,186 
Machinery and equipment167,935166,191
Furniture and fixtures1,1541,154
Construction in progress1,7991,366
Total cost196,279 193,897 
Accumulated depreciation(132,450)(123,138)
Net property, plant and equipment$63,829 $70,759 
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NOTE 4 - Intangible Assets - Predecessor
Intangible assets consist of gas rights agreements, O&M contracts, power purchase, gas sales and gas purchase agreements that were created as a result of the allocation of the purchase price under business acquisitions based on the future value to Aria and amortized over their estimated useful lives. The gas rights agreements have various renewal terms in their underlying contracts that are factored into the useful lives when amortizing the intangible asset.
Amortizable Intangible Assets

September 14, 2021
(in thousands)Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet
Gas rights agreements$217,285 $109,436 $107,849 
O&M contracts3,500 2,652 848 
Gas sales agreements32,059 23,019 9,040 
Total$252,844 $135,107 $117,737 
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet
Gas rights agreements$217,285 $102,944 $114,341 
O&M contracts3,500 2,475 1,025 
Gas sales agreements32,059 20,503 11,556 
Total$252,844 $125,922 $126,922 

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Details of the intangible assets are summarized below:
(in thousands)Expense
Type of ContractAmortization Line ItemRemaining LivesJanuary 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Gas rightsDepreciation, amortization and accretion4 to 16 years$6,493 $14,636 
O&M contractsAmortization of intangibles and below-market contracts5 years$178 $552 
Gas salesAmortization of intangibles and below-market contracts1 to 8 years$2,514 $3,566 
Below-Market Contracts
Due to business acquisitions and asset acquisitions, Aria previously acquired certain below-market contracts, which are classified as noncurrent liabilities on Aria’s consolidated balance sheet. These include:

September 14, 2021
GrossAccumulated
(in thousands)LiabilityAmortizationNet
Gas purchase agreements$19,828 $15,893 $3,935 
December 31, 2020
GrossAccumulated
(in thousands)LiabilityAmortizationNet
Gas purchase agreements$19,828 $14,059 $5,769 
Below-market contracts related to the purchase of gas are amortized to cost of energy, and amortization was $1.8 million for the period ended September 14, 2021 and $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was recorded as a decrease to cost of energy.
NOTE 5 - Equity Method Investments - Predecessor
Aria holds 50% interests in two joint ventures accounted for using the equity method – Mavrix and Sunshine Gas Producers, LLC. Prior to the sale of LESPH in June 2021, Aria also held 50% interests in the following four joint ventures: Riverview Energy Systems, LLC, Adrian Energy Systems, LLC, Salem Energy Systems, LLC, and Salt Lake Energy Systems LLC. See Held for Sale section in Note 2 for more discussion on the sale of LESPH.
Under the terms of the Mavrix LLC Contribution Agreement dated September 30, 2017, Aria is required to make an earn-out payment to its JV partner holding the other 50% membership (in Mavrix LLC) in an amount up to $9.55 million. As defined in the Contribution Agreement, the payment represents additional consideration for Aria’s equity interest in Mavrix, and the earn-out payment will be based on the performance of certain projects owned by Mavrix through the earn-out period which ends September 30, 2022. No earn-out payment is made until after the end of the earn-out period. Aria has estimated the earn-out payment to be $1.7 million at September 14, 2021 and $1.4 million at December 31, 2020, and has recorded these amounts in other long-term liabilities in the respective periods.
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Summary information on the equity method investments is as follows:
(in thousands)December 31, 2020
Assets$171,288 
Liabilities13,570 
Net assets$157,718 
Aria’s share of equity in net assets77,993 

(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Revenue$78,125 $60,459 
Net income$38,512 $18,801 
Aria’s share of net income$19,777 $9,298 
NOTE 6 - Long-Term Debt - Predecessor
(in thousands)September 14, 2021December 31, 2020
Notes payable - due October 7, 2020$91,115 $102,831 
Term Loan B - due May 2022— 137,978 
Debt origination costs(685)(1,385)
Total90,430 239,424 
Less: current portion of debt, net90,430 102,831 
Long-term portion$— $136,593 
Notes Payable
In October 2010, LESPH entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of bank lenders that provided for a term note and a working capital commitment, which is described below. The term note, along with working capital commitment, is collateralized exclusively by the assets of LESPH, and is nonrecourse to Aria Energy LLC. In accordance with the associated credit agreement, the above notes payable were due October 7, 2020, but were unpaid as of December 31, 2020.
Aria enacted a plan to sell LESPH in 2020. On March 1, 2021, Aria entered into a MIPA for the purpose of selling 100% of the membership interests in LESPH. In accordance with Section 4.02 of the MIPA, the Sellers obligations at closing include the execution of the Lender Release, as defined in the agreement, releasing of Liens and claims with respect to LESPH and its consolidated and non-consolidated subsidiaries, terminating the LESPH credit agreement and discharging the borrowers’ obligations.
The sale of LESPH occurred on June 10, 2021 and the extinguishment of the debt resulted in a gain being recorded equal to the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt of $122.6 million ($102.8 million in principal, $19.8 million in unpaid interest). This gain is classified as part of non-operating income on the consolidated statement of operations.
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolver and Term Loan B
Aria Energy LLC and certain subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”) entered into a senior secured credit facility that provides for a $200 million secured term loan maturing in May 2022, and a $40.2 million secured revolving credit facility, of which $40.0 million can be used for letters of credit. During 2020, the revolving credit maturity date was extended until November 24, 2021. The facility is secured by a first lien security interest in the assets of the Borrowers. Payments on the
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term loan were due in quarterly installments of $0.5 million that began on September 30, 2015 and continued until the debt was retired as part of the Business Combinations.
NOTE 7 - Derivative Instruments - Predecessor
Aria was exposed to certain risks in the normal course of its business operations. The main risks are those relating to the variability of future earnings and cash flows – e.g., market risks, which are managed through the use of derivative instruments. All derivative financial instruments are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, unless they meet the normal purchase normal sale criteria and are designated and documented as such.
Aria has a natural gas variable to fixed-priced swap agreement with a remaining notional quantity of 392,400 and 789,600 MMBtu as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The swap agreement provides for a fixed to variable rate swap calculated monthly, until the termination date of the contract, June 30, 2023. The agreement was intended to manage the risk associated with changing commodity prices. Changes in the fair values of natural gas swap are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative contracts and realized losses are recognized as a component of cost of energy expense as summarized in the table below.
Valuation of the natural gas swap was calculated by discounting future net cash flows that were based on a forward price curve for natural gas over the life of the contract (a Level 2 measurement), with an adjustment for each counterparty's credit rate risk.
On April 6, 2020, Aria entered into an interest rate cap with a total notional amount of $110 million and an effective date of April 30, 2020. The cap agreement provides a fixed cap rate of 1.00% per annum related to the one-month LIBOR and has a termination date of May 31, 2022. The market value at both September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was valued at zero and all associated fees with this transaction were recorded. Aria made cash payments for the natural gas swap of $0.5 million and $1.3 million for the period from January 1 to September 14, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 respectively.
(in thousands)September 14, 2021December 31, 2020
Natural gas swap asset - included in other noncurrent assets$326 $— 
Natural gas swap liability - included in derivative liabilities— (1,268)

(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Natural gas swap - unrealized gain (loss)$1,129 $(40)
Interest rate cap - unrealized loss— (95)
NOTE 8 - Benefit Plans - Predecessor
401(k) Plan
Aria maintains a qualified tax deferred 401(k) retirement plan (the Plan). Under the provisions of the Plan, substantially all employees meeting minimum age and service requirements are entitled to contribute on a before and after-tax basis a certain percentage of their compensation. Aria matches up to 100% of employees’ first 3% contribution and 50% of the employees’ next 2% contribution. Employees vest immediately in their contributions and Aria’s contribution.
Postretirement Obligations
Aria sponsors an unfunded defined benefit health care plan that provides postretirement medical benefits to certain full-time employees who meet minimum age and service requirements.
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The following table sets forth changes in the plan’s benefit obligations:

(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$3,750 $3,599 
Service cost27 49 
Interest cost64 103 
Net actuarial loss (gain)(148)144 
Net benefits paid(72)(145)
Benefit obligation at end of period$3,621 $3,750 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
(in thousands)September 14, 2021December 31, 2020
Accrued benefit liability$(3,621)$(3,750)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss1,000 1,205 
Unrecognized prior service benefit136 144 
Net amount recognized$(2,485)$(2,401)
Net periodic benefit cost recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income was as follows:
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Service cost$27 $49 
Interest cost64 103 
Amortization of prior service cost12 
Recognition of net actuarial loss57 87 
Net periodic benefit cost$156 $251 
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss consist of:
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Net actuarial (loss) gain$213 $(45)
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NOTE 9     - Capital - Predecessor
Aria had been authorized to issue three classes of membership units, consisting of Class A units, Class B units and Class C units. The Class A units and the Class B units have the voting interests - voting together as a single class. The Class C units have a nonvoting interest. The Class A units and the Class B units receive all distributions until set Internal Rate of Returns are reached. Aria had been authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class A units and Class B units and had the following units outstanding as of September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

(in thousands, except price per share)September 14, 2021
Price per shareClass AClass BClass C
$1.00441,482 27,120 — 
$0.10— — 
$0.8811,364 — — 
Total shares outstanding452,846 27,120 

(in thousands, except price per share)December 31, 2020
Price per shareClass AClass BClass C
$1.00441,482 27,120 — 
$0.10— — 
$0.8811,364 — — 
Total shares outstanding452,846 27,120 
NOTE 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations - Predecessor
The following table presents the activity for the AROs for the periods ended September 14, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Balance at beginning of period$3,408 $6,536 
Accretion expense172 456 
Revision to estimated cash flows— — 
Transfer to liabilities classified as held for sale— (3,584)
Settlement of asset retirement obligation— — 
Balance at end of period$3,580 $3,408 
Accretion expense represents the increase in asset retirement obligations over the remaining operational life of the asset and is recognized in depreciation, amortization and accretion.

NOTE 11 - Related Party Transactions - Predecessor
Sales are made to and services are purchased from entities and individuals affiliated through common ownership. Aria provides O&M services, and administration and accounting services to their 50% owned joint ventures. As of
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December 31, 2020, the accounts receivable from joint venture partners balance was $0.3 million. The following is a summary of transactions with these related parties:
(in thousands)January 1 to September 14, 2021Year Ended December 31, 2020
Sales of construction services$32 $9,983 
Sales of operations and maintenance services$1,215 $1,701 
Sales of administrative and other services$221 $409 
NOTE 12 - Segment Reporting - Predecessor
January 1 to September 14, 2021
(in thousands)RNGPowerCorporate and OtherTotal
Total revenue$82,338$37,058$(1,807)$117,589
Net income (loss)59,06666,431(40,977)84,520
Depreciation, amortization and accretion6,447 9,467 34 15,948 
Interest expense— — 10,729 10,729 
EBITDA$65,513 $75,898 $(30,214)$111,197 
Year ended December 31, 2020
(in thousands)RNGPowerCorporate and OtherTotal
Total revenue$81,559$57,322$$138,881
Net income (loss)30,459(26,048)(34,334)(29,923)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion9,012 21,478 74 30,564 
Interest expense— — 19,319 19,319 
EBITDA$39,471 $(4,570)$(14,941)$19,960 
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 millionmanagement, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2021. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock heldperiod covered by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as ofthis Annual Report on Form 10-K based on the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.


We have identified material weaknessesweakness in our internal control over financial reporting. We may identify additionalreporting described below.

Previously Reported Material Weakness
The material weaknesses in the future or otherwise failweakness resulted from an ineffective risk assessment process, which led to maintain an effective system of internalimproperly designed controls which may result in material misstatements of our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.

Following the issuance of the SEC Staff Statement on April 12, 2021, after consultation with our management, our audit committee concluded that, in light of the SEC Statement, it was appropriate to restate our previously issued (i) audited balance sheet dated as of October 26, 2020 which was related to its initial public offering and (ii) audited financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 as reported inover the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021 (collectively, the “Affected Periods Amendment No. 1”).

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our management is likewise required, on a quarterly basis, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and to disclose any changes and material weaknesses identified through such evaluation of those internal controls.statement close process. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of ourthe Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As described Management concluded that this deficiency in Amendment No. 1, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to an inadequate understanding of the accounting forimpact of consolidation entries by certain individuals. This failure led to a significant and unusual transaction related to the warrants we issued in connection with our initial public offering in October 2020. Asduplicate entry that constituted a result of this material weakness our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020.defined in the SEC regulations. This material weakness resulted in a materialthe misstatement of our derivative warrant liabilities, changegeneral and administrative expenses and accounts payable - trade and in fair valuethe restatement of derivative warrant liabilities, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, accumulated deficit and relatedthe unaudited consolidated financial disclosuresstatements for the Affected Periods Amendment No. 1. For a discussion of management’s consideration ofinterim period ended September 30, 2021.

We performed additional analysis and procedures with respect to accounts impacted by the material weakness identified relatedin order to conclude that our accounting for a significant and unusual transaction related to the warrants we issued in connection with our initial public offering, see “Note 2—Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements” to theconsolidated financial statements in Amendment No. 1, as well as Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” included in this Annual Report.

As described elsewhere in this Amendment No. 2, we have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the Company’s application of ASC 480-10-S99-3A to its accounting classification of the public shares. As a result of this material weakness, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effectiveReport on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2020. Historically, a portion of2021, and for the public shares was classified as permanent equity to maintain stockholders’ equity greater than $5 million on the basis that the Company will not redeem its public shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001, as described in the Charter. Previously, the Company did not consider redeemable stock classified as temporary equity as part of net tangible assets. Effective with these financial statements, the Company revised this interpretation to include temporary equity in net tangible assets. For a discussion of management’s consideration of the material weakness identified related to the Company’s application of ASC 480-10-S99-3A to its accounting classification of the Public Share, see Note 2 to the accompanying financial statements, as well as Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” included in this Amendment No. 2.

As described in Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures,” we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as ofyears ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, becauseare fairly presented, in all material weaknesses existedrespects, in accordance with GAAP.

Under “Changes to Internal Controls” below, we describe our internal controlremediation plan to address the identified material weakness.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over financial reporting. We have taken a number of measures to remediate the material weaknesses described therein; however, if we are unable to remediate our material weaknesses in a timely manner or we identify additional material weaknesses, we may be unable to provide required financial information in a timelyFinancial Reporting
Management is responsible for designing, implementing, and reliable manner and we may incorrectly report financial information. Likewise, if our financial statements are not filed on a timely basis, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchange on which our Class A common stock are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to timely file will cause us to be ineligible to utilize short form registration statements on Form S-3 or Form S-4, which may impair our ability to obtain capital in a timely fashion to execute our business strategies or issue shares to effect an acquisition. In either case, there could result a material adverse effect on our business. The existence of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our reputation or investor perceptions of us, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock. In addition, we will incur additional costs to remediate material weaknesses in ourmaintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as describedsuch term is defined in Part II, Item 9A. “ControlsRules 13a-15(f) and Procedures.”

We15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can give noprovide only reasonable assurance thatwith respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the measures we have taken and plan to take in the future will remediate the material weaknesses identified or that any additional material weaknesses or restatementseffectiveness of financial results will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of these controls. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, in the future those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or errors or to facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements.

48

vary over time.

The warrants are accounted for as a liability and the changes in fair value of the warrants may have an adverse effect on our financial results and the market price of our common stock.

On April 12, 2021, the Staff of the SEC released a statement informing market participants that warrants issued by special purpose acquisition companies may require classification as a liability of the entity measured at fair value, with changes in fair value each period reported in earnings. As a result such statement, we reevaluated the accounting treatment of our warrants, which were classified as equity, and determined to classify the warrants as a liability measured at fair value, with changes in fair value each period reported in earnings. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we expect to recognize non-cash gains or losses on the warrants each reporting period, and the amount of such gains or losses could be material, which may cause our consolidated financial statements and results of operations to fluctuate quarterly and may have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock.

Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing our initial business combination.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2021. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome for us as compared to other public companies because a target business with which we seek to complete our business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Class A common stock and could entrench management.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock, which may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.

We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions (other than actions arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing such suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. This provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us and our directors, officers or other employees and may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.

Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.

We depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against, or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.


If we pursue a target business with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.

If we pursue a target a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

If we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:

higher costs, complexity and difficulties inherent in executing cross-border transactions, managing cross-border business operations, and complying with different commercial and legal requirements of overseas markets;

rules and regulations regarding currency redemption;

laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;

exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;

tariffs and trade barriers;

regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

local or regional economic policies and market conditions;

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

longer payment cycles;

tax issues, including limits on our ability to change our tax residence from the United States, complex withholding or other tax regimes which may apply in connection with our business combination or to our structure following our business combination, variations in tax laws as compared to the United States, and potential changes in the applicable tax laws in the United States and/or relevant non-U.S. jurisdictions;

currency fluctuations and exchange controls;

rates of inflation;

challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

cultural and language differences;

employment regulations;

underdeveloped or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems;


corruption;

protection of intellectual property;

social unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances;

regime changes and political upheaval;

terrorist attacks and wars; and

deterioration of political relations with the United States.

We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial business combination, or, if we complete such combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our initial business combination and our structure thereafter may not be tax-efficient to our stockholders and warrantholders. As a result of our business combination, our tax obligations may be more complex, burdensome and uncertain.

Although we will attempt to structure our initial business combination in a tax-efficient manner, tax structuring considerations are complex, the relevant facts and law are uncertain and may change, and we may prioritize commercial and other considerations over tax considerations. For example, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to requisite stockholder approval, we may structure our business combination in a manner that requires stockholders and/or warrantholders to recognize gain or income for tax purposes. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to stockholders or warrantholders to pay taxes in connection with our business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, a stockholder or a warrant holder may need to satisfy any liability resulting from our initial business combination with cash from its own funds or by selling all or a portion of such holder’s shares or warrants. In addition, we may effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction or reincorporate in a different jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located). As a result, stockholders and warrantholders may be subject to additional income, withholding or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after our initial business combination.

In addition, we may effect a business combination with a target company that has business operations outside of the United States, and possibly, business operations in multiple jurisdictions. If we effect such a business combination, we could be subject to significant income, withholding and other tax obligations in a number of jurisdictions with respect to income, operations and subsidiaries related to those jurisdictions. Due to the complexity of tax obligations and filings in other jurisdictions, we may have a heightened risk related to audits or examinations by taxing authorities. This additional complexity and risk could have an adverse effect on our after-tax profitability and financial condition.

Our organizational structure confers certain benefits upon our initial stockholders that will not benefit the holders of our Class A common stock to the same extent as it will benefit our initial stockholders.

We are a holding company and will not have material assets other than our ownership of Opco Units. Subject to the obligation of Opco to make tax distributions and to reimburse us for our corporate and other overhead expenses, we will have the right to determine whether to cause Opco to make non-liquidating distributions, and the amount of any such distributions. We do not anticipate causing Opco to make any such distributions (other than tax distributions) to holders of Opco Units (including Rice Acquisition Corp.) prior to our initial business combination, other than required redemptions of Class A Units of Opco held by us in connection with a redemption of public shares. If Opco makes distributions after our initial business combination, the initial stockholders will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions from Opco on a pro rata basis. However, because we must pay taxes, amounts we may distribute as dividends to holders of our Class A common stock are expected to be less on a per share basis than the amounts distributed by Opco to the initial stockholders on a per unit basis.


If our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.

Following our initial business combination, our management may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.

After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue will be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.

The economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect our business. Economic growth could be uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate our initial business combination and if we effect our initial business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.

Exchange rate fluctuations and currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished

In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in non-U.S. regions fluctuates and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.Properties

Our executive offices are located at 102 East Main Street, Second Story, Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106, and our telephone number is (713) 446-6259. The cost for our use of this space is included in the $10,000 per month fee we will pay to our sponsor for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

To the knowledge of our management, there is no material litigation currently pending or contemplated against us, any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such or against any of our property.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


PART II

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a)Market Information

Our units, shares of Class A common stock and warrants are each traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RICE.U”, “RICE” and “RICE WS” respectively. Our units commenced public trading on October 22, 2020. Our shares of Class A common stock and warrants began separate trading on December 14, 2020.

(b)Holders

On March 19, 2021, there was 1 holder of record of our units, 2 holders of record of our shares of Class A common stock, 5 holders of record of our shares of Class B common stock and 3 holders of record of our warrants.

(c)Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions subsequent to completion of an initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to an initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

(d)Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

None.

(e)Performance Graph

Not applicable.

(f)Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Offerings

On September 2, 2020, Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC, our sponsor, received 5,750,000 Class B Units of Opco for no consideration and purchased 5,750,000 corresponding shares of our Class B common stock, 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock and 100 Class A Units of Opco and 100 corresponding shares of our Class B common stock for an aggregate of $26,000. The number of founder shares was determined based on the expectation that the founder shares would represent 20% of the total outstanding equity after our initial public offering (excluding the sponsor shares). Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. The sole business of our sponsor was to act as our sponsor in connection with our initial public offering.

In addition, our sponsor purchased from us an aggregate of 6,093,900 private placement warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $6,093,900). Atlas Point Fund also purchased 677,100 private placement warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $677,100). These purchases took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of our initial public offering. These issuances were made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales. Each private placement warrant entitles the holder to purchase for $11.50 either one share of our Class A common stock or, so long as they are held by our initial stockholders or their permitted transferees, one Class A Unit of Opco (and corresponding share of our Class B common stock). The private placement warrants (including the Class A common stock or Class A Units of Opco (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.


On October 26, 2020, the Company consummated its initial public offering of 23,725,000 units, including 2,225,000 units that were issued pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $237.3 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $12.5 million, inclusive of $7.6 million in deferred underwriting commissions. Of the 23,725,000 units sold, affiliates of our Sponsor and Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC (“Atlas Point Fund”) had purchased 1,980,000 units (the “Affiliated Units”) and 2,128,500 units (the “Atlas Units”), respectively, at the initial public offering price. The underwriters did not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions on the 1,980,000 Affiliated Units. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment.

Simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 6,771,000 warrants (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of approximately $6.8 million. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of our Class A common stock or, in certain circumstances, one Class A Unit of Opco together with a corresponding number of shares of our non-economic Class B common stock, subject to certain adjustments.

(g)Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

Item 6.Selected Financial Data

Not applicable.

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

References to the “Company,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Rice Acquisition Corp. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto containeddiscussed elsewhere in this Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

We have re-evaluated our application of ASC 480-10-S99-3A to our accounting and classification of the public shares issued as part of the units sold in the Initial Public Offering on October 26, 2020. Historically, a portion of the public shares was classified as permanent equity to maintain stockholders’ equity greater than $5 million on the basis that we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001, as described in our charter. Previously, the Company did not consider redeemable stock classified as temporary equity as part of net tangible assets. Effective with these financial statements, the Company revised this interpretation to include temporary equity in net tangible assets. Pursuant to such re-evaluation, our management has determined that the public shares include certain provisions that require classification of all of the public shares as temporary equity. In addition, in connection with the change in presentation for the public shares, management determined it should restate earnings per share calculation to allocate income and losses shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of shares share pro rata in our income and losses.

Therefore, on December 28, 2021, our management and the Audit Committee concluded that our previously issued (i) audited balance sheet as of October 26, 2020, as previously restated in Amendment No. 1, (ii) audited financial statements as previously restated in Amendment No. 1, (iii) unaudited interim financial statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 26, 2021 and (iv) unaudited interim financial statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 13, 2021, should be restated to report all public shares as temporary equity and should no longer be relied upon. As such, the Company is restating the 2020 periods herein and intends to restate its 2021 interim financial statements for the Affected Periods in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.

The restatement does not have an impact on our cash position or the cash held in the Trust Account.

Our management has concluded that a material weakness remains in our internal control over financial reporting and that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. As a result of that reassessment, we determined that our disclosure controls and procedures for such periods were not effective with respect to the proper accounting and classification of complex financial instruments. For more information, see Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


The financial information that has been previously filed or otherwise reported for these periods is superseded by10-K, the information in this Amendment No. 2,Company completed the Business Combinations on September 15, 2021 pursuant to which the Company completed a reverse recapitalization with RAC and the financial statements and related financial information contained in such previously filed reports should no longer be relied upon.

The restatement is more fully described in Note 2 of the notesacquired Aria. Prior to the financial statements included herein.

Overview

We areBusiness Combinations, RAC was a blank checkspecial purpose acquisition company incorporated in Delaware on September 1, 2020formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). Our sponsor is Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”).

The registration statement for our initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”) was declared effective on October 21, 2020. On October 26, 2020, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 23,725,000 units (each, a “Unit” and collectively, the “Units”), including 2,225,000 additional Units that were issued pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $237.3 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $12.5 million, inclusive of $7.6 million in deferred underwriting commissions.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 6,771,000 warrants (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”) to our Sponsor and Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC (“Atlas Point Fund”), at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of approximately $6.8 million. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Rice’s Class A common stock or, in certain circumstances, one Class A Unit of Opco together with a corresponding number of shares of Rice’s non-economic Class B common stock.


Following the Initial Public Offering, our public stockholders hold a direct economic equity ownership interest in Rice in the form of shares of Class A common stock, and an indirect ownership interest in Opco through Rice’s ownership of Class A Units of Opco. By contrast, the Initial Stockholders (our Sponsor, Atlas Point Fund and our officers and directors) hold direct economic interests in Opco in the form of Class B Units and a corresponding non-economic voting equity interest in Rice in the form of shares of Class B common stock, as well as a small direct interest through the Sponsor Shares (as defined below). Sponsor Shares were purchased for $10.00 each and, in the absence of an initial Business Combination, will generally participate in liquidation or other payments on a pari passu basis with the public shares. However, given the relatively de minimis number of Sponsor Shares relative to public shares, in many cases the economic, governance or other effects of the sponsor shares are not material to the holders of Class A common stock or warrants, and for simplicity, portions of this disclosure may not fully describe or reflect these immaterial effects.

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, approximately $237.3 million of the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants in the Private Placement were placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account.

If we are unable to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or October 26, 2022, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay our franchise and income taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice), which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $1.3 million in our operating bank account and working capital of approximately $1.6 million.

Our liquidity needs to date had been satisfied through the payment of $26,000 from our Sponsor to purchase the Founder Shares and Sponsor Shares, a loan under a note agreement with our Sponsor of approximately $44,000 as of December 31, 2020 (the “Note”), and the net proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. The Note was paid in full as of November 10, 2020. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our officers, directors and Sponsor may, but are not obligated to, provide us working capital loans. As of December 31, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under any working capital loans.

Based on the foregoing, management believes that we will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.


Results of Operations

Our entire activity since inception through December 31, 2020 related to our formation, the preparation for the Initial Public Offering, and since the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. We will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial Business Combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents. We expect to incur increased expenses asbusinesses. As a result, of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

The Company’s statement of operations includes a presentation of income per share for common stock subject to redemption in a manner similar to the two-class method of income per share. Net income per share, basic and diluted for Class A common stock is calculated by dividing the net gain from investments held in the Trust Account of approximately $32,000, net ofpreviously existing internal controls are no longer applicable franchise taxes of approximately $32,000 for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the period. Net loss per share, basic and diluted for Class B common stock for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 is calculated by dividing the change in fair value of warrant liability of approximately $19.7 million, compensation expense of approximately $1.7 million, approximately $787,000 related to warrant financing costs, general and administration expenses of approximately $291,000 and franchise taxes of approximately $33,000, net of noncontrolling interest of approximately $865,000, resulting in a net loss of approximately $21.6 million, by the weighted average number of Class B common stock outstanding for the period.

Contractual Obligations

We do not have any long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or long-term liabilities.

On October 21, 2020, we entered into an Administrative Services Agreement pursuant to which we have agreed to cause Opco to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and administrative support. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination or our liquidation, the agreement will terminate.

The underwriters of the Initial Public Offering were entitled to underwriting discounts and commissions of 5.5%, of which 2.0% (approximately $4.3 million) was paid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering and 3.5% (approximately $7.6 million) was deferred. The deferred underwriting discounts and commissions will become payable to the underwriters upon the consummation of the Initial Business Combination and will be paid from the amounts held in the Trust Account. The underwriters are not entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.

Critical Accounting Policies

This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to fair value of financial instruments and accrued expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has identified the following as its critical accounting policies:

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. We issued 2,500 shares of Class A common stock to the Sponsor. These Sponsor Shares will not be transferable and will only be exchangeable into Class A common stock after the initial business combination, and as such are considered non-redeemable and presented as permanent equity in our balance sheet. Excluding the Sponsor Shares, our Class A common stock feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly,comprehensive enough as of the Initial Public Offering, 23,725,000 shares of Class A common stock subjectassessment date as the Company’s operations prior to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outsidethe Business Combinations were insignificant compared to those of the stockholders’ equity section of our balance sheets.

We recognize changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying valueconsolidated entity post-Business Combinations. Accordingly, we are excluding management’s report on internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 215.02 of the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption to equal the redemption value at the endSEC Division of each reporting period. Effective with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we recognized the accretion from initial book value to redemption amount, which resulted in charges against additional paid-in capital (to the extent available) and accumulated deficit.


Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

We comply with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” We have two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the respective period.

The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share does not consider the effect of the warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering (including the consummation of the over-allotment) and the private placement warrants to purchase an aggregate of 18,633,500 shares of Class A common stock, because their exercise is contingent upon future events and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per share is the same as basic net income (loss) per share for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Our management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) ofCorporation Finance’s Regulation S-K.

Inflation

S-K Compliance & Disclosure Interpretations. We do not believe that inflation had a material impact on our business, revenues or operating results during the period presented.

JOBS Act

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, the financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluatingreviewing, re-designing, and in some cases designing our internal controls over financial reporting for the benefitspost-Business Combinations. Because of relyingthis, the design and ongoing development of the Company’s framework for implementation and evaluation of internal control over financial reporting is in its preliminary stages.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the other reduced reporting requirements providedCompany’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the JOBS Act. Subject
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Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to certain conditions set forththe rules of the SEC that permit emerging growth companies such as our Company to provide only management’s report in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we chooseAnnual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our systemInternal Controls
The design and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our Initial Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.


Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

Item 8.Consolidated Financial Statements And Supplementary Data

This information appears following Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

On March 30, 2021, we filed our original Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020 (the “Original Filing”). OurCompany’s post-Business Combinations has required and will continue to require significant time and resources from management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer (our “Certifying Officers”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020, pursuantother personnel. The changes to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation at that earlier time, our Certifying Officers had concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of December 31, 2020. Subsequently, and solely due to the restatement of our financial statements to reclassify our warrants as described Amendment No. 1 and the restatement of our financial statements to reclassify the public shares as described herein in Amendment No. 2 and the restatement of our financial statements to reclassify the public shares as described herein, our Certifying Officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2020.

Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

This Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act)commenced during the most recent fiscal quarter that haveperiod covered by this report and after will materially affected,affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting as the circumstances that ledby establishing new controls and procedures appropriate to the restatementoperating business we have become as a result of the Business Combinations.

The Company is remediating the previously reported material weakness by enhancing training of our staff, following stricter journal entry approval workflows, and requiring certain account reconciliations to be completed and approved prior to the issuance of financial statements described in this Report had not yet been identified.

statements. In addition, the Company will improve its analytical review procedures and perform such procedures and related variance explanations at a more detailed level.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information About Our Executive Officers
Below is a list of the names, ages, and positions of our executive officers as of March 1, 2022, and a brief summary of their business experience. Each of the Company’s executive officers were appointed to their respective positions listed below effective upon the consummation of the Business Combinations.
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Our officers and directors are as follows:

Name

Age

Position

Daniel Joseph Rice, IV*Name40AgePosition
Nicholas Stork38Chief Executive Officer and Director
J. Kyle Derham*Richard Walton3339Chief Financial Officer and DirectorPresident
James Wilmot Rogers*Chad Bellah4045Chief Accounting Officer
Kathryn JacksonBrian McCarthy6337Independent Director
Joseph Malchow35Independent Director
James Torgerson68Independent DirectorChief Investment Officer


*Denotes an executive officer.

Daniel Joseph Rice, IVNicholas StorkChief Executive Officer and director.Director. Mr. Stork served as co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Legacy Archaea from its founding in November 2018 until combination with RAC and Aria in September 2021. Since November 2016, Mr. Stork has also served as Chief Financial Officer and as a director of Noble Environmental, Inc. (“Noble”), an industry-leading environmental services company focused on providing innovative solutions to solid waste management companies, and as Managing Partner of Noble House Capital, where he is responsible for investing and business development in the Appalachian Basin. From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Stork served as a Principal with Baleen Capital Management, a global value investment firm. Mr. Stork holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College.

Richard Walton — President. Mr. Walton served as co-founder and President of Legacy Archaea from its founding in November 2018 until combination with RAC and Aria in September 2021. Since November 2016, Mr. Walton has also served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Noble. From September 2013 until June 2017, Mr. Walton was Chief Executive Officer of Redstone International, a services company that specializes in deep foundations, earth retention, shoring systems and grouting solutions. Mr. Walton also held various positions with private equity and investment banking firms. Mr. Walton is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Economics.
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Chad Bellah — Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Bellah has served as Chief Accounting Officer of Legacy Archaea since June 2021. From July 2020 to June 2021, Mr. Bellah served as a freelance accounting consultant, including Vice President, Controller of Penn America Energy Holdings LLC, a liquified natural gas energy project development company. From November 2007 to May 2020, Mr. Bellah served in various accounting positions with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, including Director of Accounting Policy from November 2018 to May 2020, International Accounting Finance Manager from July 2016 to November 2018, Finance Director of Anadarko Algeria Company based in London from April 2013 to July 2016. Prior to joining Anadarko, Mr. Bellah worked as an Audit Manager in Houston for Ernst & Young LLP, serving large clients in the airline and oil and gas industries. Mr. Bellah is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas and a graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.S. in Finance.
Brian McCarthy — Chief Investment Officer. Mr. McCarthy has served as Chief Investment Officer of Legacy Archaea since May 2021. From January 2019 to May 2021, Mr. McCarthy served as Legacy Archaea’s Chief Financial Officer and as a minority owner of Legacy Archaea. Mr. McCarthy is also a Partner at Saltonstall & Co., a Boston-based financial services company, where he has been employed since 2013. Previously, Mr. McCarthy was an analyst with Stevens Capital Management, Schneider Capital Management and Goldman Sachs. Mr. McCarthy is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he studied Physics and Economics.
Information About Our Directors
Below is a list of the names and ages of all of the members of our Board of Directors as of March 1, 2022, and a brief summary of their business experience. Each of the directors were appointed to their respective positions listed below effective upon the consummation of the Business Combinations.
NameAgePosition
Daniel Joseph Rice, IV41Chairman of the Board
J. Kyle Derham34Director
Dr. Kathryn Jackson64Director
Joseph Malchow36Director
Scott Parkes45Director
Nick Stork38Director
James Torgerson69Director
Daniel Joseph Rice, IV — Executive Chairman and Director. Mr. Rice currently serves as Executive Chairman, a Director, and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Rice served as Chief Executive Officer of RAC from October 2020 to September 2021. Mr. Rice has over 15 years of experience in the energy industry. Mr.He is also a director of Rice is alsoAcquisition Corp. II, a blank check company that was formed by an affiliate of Rice Investment Group to consummate an initial business combination (“Rice II”). He served Rice II as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Rice II.from inception in February 2021 to February 2022. Mr. Rice is a Partner of Rice Investment Group and served as Chief Executive Officer of Rice Energy, Inc. (“Rice Energy”) from October 2013 through the completion of its acquisition by EQT Corporation (“EQT”), the largest operator of natural gas production in the United States, in November 2017. Prior to his role as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rice served as Chief Operating Officer of Rice Energy from October 2012 through September 2013 and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rice Energy from October 2008 through September 2012. Mr. Rice oversaw Rice Energy’s growth from start-up through its $1 billion initial public offering in 2014 and eventual $8.2 billion sale to EQT in 2017. Mr. Rice also oversaw the creation and growth of Rice Midstream Partners LP (“Rice Midstream”), which was acquired by EQT Midstream Partners, LP for $2.4 billion in 2018. Mr. Rice established Rice Energy’s strategic framework for value creation, which yielded success for its shareholders and employees. He has utilized his operating and growth strategy formulation experience as the founder of Rice Energy to help portfolio companies of Rice Investment Group to refine and optimize their business strategies in order to profitably grow. Mr. Rice currently serves on the board of directors of EQT, and he recently joined the board of Whiting Petroleum in August 2020.and Rice II. Prior to joining Rice Energy, he was an investment banker for Tudor Pickering Holt & Co. in Houston and held finance and strategic roles with Transocean Ltd. and Tyco International plc.

Mr. Rice’s extensive experience in the energy industry, including service in management and other leadership roles, makes him well suited to serve as a member of the Board. Mr. Rice holds a B.A. in Finance from Bryant University.

J. Kyle Derham Director. Mr. Derham currently serves as a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Derham served as Chief Financial Officer and director.of RAC from October 2020 to September 2021. Mr. Derham is a Partner of Rice Investment Group. Mr. Derham is alsoGroup and the President, Chief FinancialExecutive Officer and a director nominee of Rice II. Mr. Derham served Rice II as Chief Financial Officer from inception in February 2021 until February 2022, at which point he was appointed Chief Executive
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Officer. Mr. Derham, as part of the Rice Investment Group Team, led the shareholder campaign in 2019 to revamp the strategic direction of EQT and elect a majority slate of director candidates to the board of EQT, the largest operator of natural gas production in the United States.EQT. Following the campaign, Mr. Derham served as interim Chief Financial Officer of EQT and currently serves as a strategic advisor to the company. Mr. Derham previously served as Vice President, Corporate Development and Finance of Rice Energy and Rice Midstream from January 2014 through November 2017. Through his various roles working alongside the Rice family, Mr. Derham has focused on evaluating, structuring, and negotiating key acquisitions and execution of critical strategic initiatives to generate attractive risk adjusted returns for investors. Mr. Derham also has experience as a private equity investor, working as an associate at First Reserve and as an investment banker at Barclays Investment Bank.

James Wilmot Rogers — Chief Accounting Officer. Through his various roles working alongside the Rice family, Mr. Rogers is also the Chief Accounting OfficerDerham has focused on evaluating, structuring, and negotiating key acquisitions and execution of Rice II.critical strategic initiatives to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors. Mr. Rogers servedDerham’s significant experience in financial and leadership positions makes him well suited to serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer & Administrative Officer, Treasurera member of Rice Energy from April 2011 through November 2017. Mr. Rogers led accounting, tax and human resources functions for Rice Energy, Rice Midstream and its numerous joint ventures and joint venture companies. Mr. Rogers oversaw such functions through two initial public offerings in a single calendar year (Rice Energy in January 2014 and Rice Midstream in December 2014) and through numerous asset and corporate level acquisitions totaling more than $10 billion in asset value. He also has numerous years in public accounting experience, having worked at both Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

our Board of Directors.

Dr. Kathryn JacksonIndependent director.Director. Dr. Kathryn Jackson onecurrently serves as Chair of our independent directors,the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. Dr. Jackson is an accomplished executive leader with a highly successful career in electricity generation, energy system operations and technology management. Dr. Jackson servesserved as Director of Energy and Technology Consulting for KeySource, Inc., a solutions-oriented company that provides strategic business consulting, from October 2016 to May 2021. Prior to this role, Dr. Jackson has served as President and Chief Technology Officer for RTI International Metals, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President for Research and Technology for Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC, and Executive Vice President of River System Operations and Environment for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Dr. Jackson serves on the board of directors of Portland General Electric, Cameco Corporation Duquesne Light Holdings and EQT. Dr. Jackson previously served on the board of directors of Rice Energy from April 2017 until its acquisition by EQT. Dr. Jackson, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, holds advanced degrees in engineering, industrial engineering, and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

The Board values Dr. Jackson’s expertise in regulatory, legislative, and public policy issues. Her innovation, technology, and engineering skills, in addition to her experience with generation facilities and large energy trading and utility operations, are highly beneficial to the Board.

Joseph MalchowIndependent director.Director. Mr. Malchow onecurrently serves as Chair of our independent directors,the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Malchow is the Founding General Partner at HNVR Technology Investment Management in Menlo Park, California, a Seed and Series A venture capital firm.firm founded in 2018. The firm supports software entrepreneurs in fields including artificial intelligence, developer tooling, low code business logic, data and computing infrastructure, cybersecurity for enterprise, government,enterprises, and people, and SaaSsoftware-as-a-service in a number of specific verticals including finance and credit, freight and logistics, national security and defense technology, and construction.energy. Mr. Malchow has also been an active investor since 2013, originating equity investments in private technology companies in the Palo Alto-San Francisco corridor and in selected areas around the country. Mr. Malchow also sits on the Board of Enphase Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENPH), a global energy technology company. Mr. Malchow earned an A.B. from Dartmouth College in 2008. He later studied at the law and business schools of Stanford University, receiving a J.D. in 2013.

Mr. Malchow’s entrepreneurial experience, experience in evaluating new technology and systems, and in making financial investments in growing enterprises, as well as his experience serving on the board of another energy company, make him well suited to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.

Scott Parkes — Director. Mr. Parkes currently serves as a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Parkes is a Principal at Ares Management LLC (“Ares”), a global alternative investment manager operating in the credit, private equity and real estate markets, and served as a member of Aria board of directors from January 2008 to September 2021. Mr. Parkes served on the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee for Aria’s board of directors. In addition to his role with Aria, Mr. Parkes has served as a member of the board of directors of Swell Energy Inc. and Paradigm Midstream, LLC, privately held companies, since 2019 and 2018, respectively. Prior to joining Ares in 2015, Mr. Parkes was a Senior Vice President at Energy Investors Funds, where he focused on originating, analyzing, structuring, and closing new fund investments, as well as ongoing portfolio company management. Previously, he held various finance roles within Exxon Mobil Corporation. In addition, Mr. Parkes was a Financial Analyst in the Global Power Investment Banking Group at J.P. Morgan. He began his career as a Financial Analyst at McManus and Miles, a boutique investment bank serving the U.S. electric power industry. Mr. Parkes holds a B.A. from Columbia University in Economics and an M.B.A. from Yale University School of Management in Finance. Mr. Parkes’ extensive experience serving as a member of the board of director of Aria and other leadership experience makes him well suited to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Nicholas Stork — Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Stork served as co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Legacy Archaea from its founding in November 2018. Since November 2016, Mr. Stork has also served as Chief Financial Officer and a director of Noble, and as Managing Partner of Noble House Capital, where he is responsible
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for investing and business development in the Appalachian Basin. From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Stork served as a Principal with Baleen Capital Management, a global value investment firm. Mr. Stork is a graduate of Dartmouth College. Mr. Stork has significant experience in the energy industry and also brings extensive executive level experience to our Board,
James TorgersonIndependent directorDirector. Mr. Torgerson onecurrently serves as Chair of our independent directors,the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Torgerson was the Chief Executive Officer of Avangrid, Inc., a public utility company with $35 billion of assets, from December 2015 until June 2020. Prior to that role, Mr. Torgerson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of UIL Holdings Corporation beginning in 2006. Prior to 2006, Mr. Torgerson was President and Chief Executive Officer of Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. Mr. Torgerson is a director of Portland General Electric Company and is the chair of its Compensation and Human Resources Committee. Mr. Torgerson served as the chair of the board of directors of the American Gas Association and serves as a trustee of the Yale-New Haven Hospital and as a trustee of Yale New Haven Health System. Until his retirement in June 2020, he served on the board and as an executive committee member of the Edison Electric Institute (“EEI”). Mr. Torgerson also co-chaired EEI’s Board Committee for Reliability, Security and Business Continuity, which included responsibility related to cyber security for the EEI member utilities. Mr. Torgerson, prior to his retirement, was also a member of the Electricity Sub-sector Coordinating Council (“ESCC”), that coordinates with the federal government on physical and cyber security and natural disasters impacting the electric grid.

Our board Mr. Torgerson has significant executive leadership experience and extensive knowledge of directors is divided into three classes with only one classthe utility industry, including clean energy development, finance and accounting, U.S. energy markets, regulation, risk management, and strategic planning, all of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors elected priorwhich we believe will be an asset to our first annual meeting of stockholders) servingBoard. Mr. Torgerson holds a three-year term. B.B.A. in Accounting from Cleveland State University.

The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Kathryn Jackson and J. Kyle Derham,remaining information required in response to this item will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Joseph Malchow and Daniel Joseph Rice, IV, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of James Torgerson, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we consummate our initial business combination.

Holders of our founder shares have the right to elect all of our directors prior to consummation of our initial business combination and holders of our public shares do not have the right to vote on the election of directors during such time. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may only be amended if approved by a majority of at least 90% of our common stock voting at a stockholder meeting.

Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a ChairmanArchaea’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurerfiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and such other offices as may be determinedis incorporated herein by the board of directors.

reference.

Director Independence

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The NYSE listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person who has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). Our board of directors has determined that Kathryn Jackson, Joseph Malchow, and James Torgerson are “independent directors” as definedinformation required in the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.

Officer and Director Compensation

None of our officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services renderedresponse to us. Commencing on the date that of our initial public offering through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, we have pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. In addition, our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee reviews on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combinationthis item will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination.

After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of our management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.

We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors has three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of the NYSE and Rule 10A of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of the NYSE require that the compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. The charter of each committee is available on our website.


Audit Committee

We have established an audit committee of the board of directors. Kathryn Jackson, Joseph Malchow and James Torgerson serve as members of our audit committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent, subject to the exception described below. Kathryn Jackson, Joseph Malchow, and James Torgerson are independent.

James Torgerson serves as chair of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that James Torgerson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:

the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;

pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;

reviewing and discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their continued independence;

setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm;

setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;

reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and

reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

Compensation Committee

Kathryn Jackson, Joseph Malchow, and James Torgerson serve as members of our compensation committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. Kathryn Jackson, Joseph Malchow, and James Torgerson are independent. Joseph Malchow serves as chair of the compensation committee.

We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:

reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our chief executive officer’s compensation, evaluating our chief executive officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our chief executive officer based on such evaluation;


reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation of all of our other officers;

reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans;

implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees;

if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the NYSE and the SEC.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The members of our nominating and corporate governance are Kathryn Jackson, Joseph Malchow, and James Torgerson. Kathryn Jackson serves as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

The primary purposes of our nominating and corporate governance committee is to assist the board in:

identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommending to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of stockholders or to fill vacancies on the board of directors;

developing, recommending to the board of directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines;

coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the board of directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and

reviewing on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary.

The nominating and corporate governance committee is governed by a charter that complies with the rules of the NYSE.

Director Nominations

Our nominating and corporate governance committee recommend to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of the stockholders. The board of directors also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.


We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that mustArchaea’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, our board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, andfiled within 120 days after the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders. Prior to our initial business combination, holders of our public shares do not have the right to recommend director candidates for nomination to our board of directors.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a memberend of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more officers serving on our board of directors.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon written request to our principal executive offices. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Currentfiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 8-K.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required in accordance withresponse to this item will be set forth in Archaea’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days after the corporate governance rulesend of the NYSE that serve as a flexible frameworkfiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required in response to this item will be set forth in Archaea’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed within which our board of directors and its committees operate. These guidelines cover a number of areas including board membership criteria and director qualifications, director responsibilities, board agenda, roles120 days after the end of the chairmanfiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required in response to this item will be set forth in Archaea’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days after the end of the board, chief executive officerfiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and presiding director, meetings of independent directors, committee responsibilities and assignments, board member access to management and independent advisors, director communications with third parties, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education, evaluation of senior management and management succession planning. A copy of our corporate governance guidelines is posted on our website.

Conflicts of Interest

Members of our sponsor, as well as Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies may compete with us for acquisition opportunities. If they decide to pursue any such opportunity, we may be precluded from procuring such opportunities. Neither members of our sponsor nor members of our management team who are members of our sponsor have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware, unless presented to such member solely in his or her capacity as an officerincorporated herein by reference.


PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES
(a) (1) Financial statements
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The following financial statements of the company. Members of our sponsor and our management,Company are included in their other endeavors, may be required to present potential business combinations to other entities, before they present such opportunities to us.

In addition, members of our sponsor, as well as Rice Investment Group and its portfolio companies, may sponsor other blank check companies similar to ours during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination, and members of our management team may participate in such blank check companies. In particular, an affiliate of Rice Investment Group has formed RicePart II, a blank check company like our company that was formed to consummate an initial business combination. Like us, Rice II intends to focus its search for a target business in the energy transition or sustainability arena. As of the dateItem 8 of this filing, Rice II has not completed its initial public offeringAnnual Report on Form 10-K:

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and does not2020.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Financial statement schedules have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act. Any such companies, including Rice II, may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an acquisition target, particularly in the event there is overlap among the management teams. Mr. Rice also serves as a director and officer of Rice II, and Mr. Derham also serves as an officer and is a director nominee of Rice II. However, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Each of Mr. Rice and Mr. Derham has agreed not to become an officer or director of any other special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering. Neither Mr. Rice nor Mr. Derham has been involved with any blank check companies prior to our company.


Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including Rice II, pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such other entity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our business combination. In addition, we may pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the acquisition by issuing to such entity a class of equity or equity-linked securities. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.

Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:

None of our officers or directors is required to commit his or her full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating his or her time among various business activities.

In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

Our initial stockholders have agreed that any founder shares and sponsor shares will not be entitled to redemption rights, and they will waive any such redemption rights for any public shares held by them, in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Additionally, our initial stockholders have agreed that any founder shares held by them will not be entitled to redemption rights, and they will waive any such redemption rights for any public shares held by them, if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of our initial public offering. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the portion of the proceeds of the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares and any Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.), and the private placement warrants will expire worthless. Furthermore, our initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any founder shares held by them, and any shares of our Class A common stock acquired upon exchange of founder shares, until one year after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, (i) the last sale price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination or (ii) we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. With certain limited exceptions, the private placement warrants and the Class A common stock underlying such warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since our sponsor and officers and directors may directly or indirectly own common stock and warrants following our initial public offering, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination.

Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.


Our sponsor, officers or directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a business combination and financing arrangements as we may obtain loans from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or any of our officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period.

The conflicts described above may not be resolved in our favor.

In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:

the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;

the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and

it would not be fair to our company and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.

Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that the doctrine of corporate opportunity will not apply with respect to any of our officers or directors in circumstances where the application of the doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligationsomitted because they may have.

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with or from a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, including a portfolio company of Rice Investment Group, or making the acquisition through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors or their affiliates, including Rice Investment Group and/or one or more of its portfolio companies and Rice II. We are also not prohibited from entering into an agreement with our sponsor, officers or directors or their affiliates with respect to the operation of any business we acquire in connection with the initial business combination. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. Weeither are not required, to obtain such an opinion in any other context. Further, commencing onnot applicable, or the date our securities are first listed on the NYSE, we began paying an amount equal to $10,000 per month to our sponsor for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services provided to us.

We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the initial business combination. Our initial stockholders have agreed to vote any founder shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination and our officers and directors have also agreed to vote any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us or our stockholders for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors.


We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.

Our officers and directors have agreed, and any persons who may become officers or directors prior to the initial business combination will agree, to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be ableinformation required to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.

Our indemnification obligations may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnificationpresented is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 11.Executive Compensation

Officer and Director Compensation

None of our officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date that our securities were first listed on the NYSE through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, we have agreed to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. In addition, our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination.

After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials (as applicable) furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of our management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.


We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our shares of common stock as of March 19, 2021 based on information obtained from the persons named below, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our shares of common stock, by:

each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

each of our executive officers and directors that beneficially owns our shares of common stock; and

all our executive officers and directors as a group.

In the table below, percentage ownership is based on 23,727,500 shares of Class A common stock (which includes shares of Class A common stock that are underlying the units) and 5,931,350 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of March 19, 2021. The table below does not include the shares of Class A common stock underlying the private placement warrants held by our sponsor because these securities are not exercisable within 60 days of this Report.

Name of Beneficial Owners(1)

 Class B
common stock
  Class A
common stock
 
 Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(2)  Approximate
Percentage of Class
  Number of Shares Beneficially Owned  Approximate
Percentage of Class
 
Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC (our sponsor)(3)  5,532,287   93.3%  2,500   * 
Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure, LLC(4)  309,063   5.2%      
Daniel Joseph Rice, IV(3)  5,532,287   93.3%      
J. Kyle Derham(3)  5,532,287   93.3%      
James Wilmot Rogers            
Kathryn Jackson  30,000   *       
Joseph Malchow  30,000   *       
James Torgerson  30,000   *       
All officers and directors as a group (six individuals)  5,622,287   94.8%      
Adage Capital Partners, LP(5)        1,935,000   8.16%
CIBC Private Wealth Group, LLC(6) ��      2,128,500   8.97%
Goldman Sachs Asset Management(7)        2,550,000   10.4%
Hartree Partners, LP(8)          1,359,341   5.7%
HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC(9)        1,300,000   5.5%
Kensico Capital Management Corp(10)        2,000,000   8.4%

*Less than one percent.


(1)Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 102 East Main Street, Second Story, Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106.

(2)The interests shown consist of founder shares and sponsor shares. The Class A Units of Opco (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) comprising such shares will be exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock after the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, as described in the section entitled “Description of Securities.” Excludes forward purchase securities that will only be issued, if at all, at the time of our initial business combination.

(3)Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC is the record holder of the shares reported herein. Daniel Joseph Rice, IV and J. Kyle Derham are the managing members of Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC.

(4)Upon the closing of our initial public offering, our sponsor transferred 309,063 founder shares to Atlas Point Fund pursuant to the forward purchase agreement. Atlas Point Fund is the record holder of the shares reported herein. CIBC National Trust Company, a limited-purpose national trust bank, is the manager of Atlas Point Fund. The parent company of CIBC National Trust is CIBC Private Wealth Group, LLC, which in turn is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”). Accordingly, CIBC may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of the common stock held directly by Atlas Point Fund. The business address for Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC is: 3920 Northside Parkway, 7th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30327.

(5)The address of Adage Capital Partners, L.P. is 200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on November 5, 2020 (the “Adage 13G”). According to the Adage 13G, Adage Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ACP” is the direct owner of such Class A Common Stock. Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“ACPGP”), is the general partner of ACP and therefore has beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A Common Stock directly owned by ACP. Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“ACA”), is the managing member of ACPGP, the general partner of ACP, and therefore has beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A Common Stock directly owned by ACP. Robert Atchinson (“Mr. Atchinson”) is the managing member of ACA, which is the managing member of ACPGP, which is the general partner of ACP and therefore Mr. Atchinson has beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A Common Stock directly owned by ACP. Phillip Gross (“Mr. Gross”) is the managing member of ACA, which is the managing member of ACPGP, which is the general partner of ACP and therefore Mr. Gross has beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A Common Stock directly owned by ACP.

(6)The address of CIBC Private Wealth Group, LLC is 3290 Northside Parkway NW, 7th Flr, Atlanta, GA 30327. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2021.

(7)The address of Goldman Sachs Asset Management is 200 West Street New York, NY 10282. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on December 16, 2020.

(8)The address of Hartree Partners, LP is 1185 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 8, 2021.

(9)The address of HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC is 300 Crown Colony Drive Suite 108 Quincy, MA 02169. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 17, 2021.

(10)The address of Kensico Capital Management Corp. is 55 Railroad Avenue, 2nd Floor Greenwich, CT 06830. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 12, 2021.

Our sponsor, officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoter” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.

Changes in Control

None.


Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Founder Shares

In September 2020, our sponsor received 5,750,000 Class B Units of Opco for no consideration and purchased 5,750,000 corresponding shares of our Class B common stock, 2,500 shares of our Class A common stock and 100 Class A Units of Opco and 100 corresponding shares of our Class B common stock for an aggregate of $26,000. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the total outstanding equity upon completion of our initial public offering (excluding the sponsor shares). In October, 2020 our sponsor forfeited 90,000 Class B Units of Opco, and 30,000 Class Units of Opco were issued to each of our independent directors. In October 2020, we effected a dividend, and Opco effected a distribution, resulting in our Sponsor owning 6,091,250 Class B Units and 6,091,250 shares of our Class B common stock that comprise the founder shares. Our sponsor transferred a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock to our independent directors. Following the closing of our initial public offering, our sponsor forfeited 309,063 Class B Units of Opco, and 309,063 Class B Units of Opco was issued to Atlas Point Fund. Our sponsor transferred a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock to Atlas Point Fund. Up to 806,250 founder shares were subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised. The founder shares (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exchange thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder. On October 26, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 2,225,000 Units; thus, only 250,000 founder shares remained subject to forfeiture to the extent the over-allotment option was exercised. On December 5, 2020, the remaining underwriters’ over-allotment option expired unexercised; thus, 250,000 founder shares held by our sponsor were forfeited for no consideration. As of December 31, 2020, there were 5,931,350 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. 

Private Placement Warrants

Our sponsor purchased from us an aggregate of 6,093,900 private placement warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant ($6,093,900 in the aggregate) in a private placement that occurred simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering. Atlas Point Fund also purchased 677,100 private placement warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant ($677,100 in the aggregate). Each private placement warrant entitles the holder to purchase for $11.50 either one share of our Class A common stock or, so long as they are held by our initial stockholders or their permitted transferees, one Class A Unit of Opco (and corresponding share of our Class B common stock). The private placement warrants (including the Class A common stock or Class A Units of Opco (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.

We have entered into a forward purchase agreement pursuant to which we may elect, in our sole and absolute discretion, to offer Atlas Point Fund, which is a fund managed by CIBC National Trust Company the opportunity to purchase up to $75,000,000 of either (i) a number of forward purchase units for $10.00 per unit or (ii) a number of forward purchase shares for $9.67 per share in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of our initial business combination. Whether we will issue Atlas Point Fund forward purchase units valued at $10.00 per unit or forward purchase shares valued at $9.67 per share will be determined at our election, and in our sole discretion, at least 10 business days prior to the closing of our initial business combination. Each whole forward purchase warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. The forward purchase warrants will have the same terms as the public warrants and the forward purchase shares will be identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the units being sold in our initial public offering, except the forward purchase sharesCompany’s financial statements and the forward purchase warrants will be subject to transfer restrictions and certain registration rights and the forward purchase units will consist of only one-third of one forward purchase warrant. The funds from the sale of the forward purchase securities may be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the initial business combination, and any excess funds may be used for the working capital needs of the post-transaction company. This agreement is independent of the percentage of stockholders electing to redeem their public shares and may provide us with an increased minimum funding level for the initial business combination. The forward purchase agreement is subject to conditions, including Atlas Point Fund giving us its written consent to purchase the forward purchase securities no later than five days after we notify it of our intention to meet to consider entering into a definitive agreement for a proposed business combination. Atlas Point Fund may grant or withhold its consent to the purchase entirely within its sole discretion. Accordingly, if Atlas Point Fund does not consent to the purchase, it will not be obligated to purchase the forward purchase securities. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the forward purchase agreement, we have granted Atlas Point Fund the right to appoint a single observer to our board of directors until the consummation of our initial business combination. Such observer will not have voting rights or otherwise have any of the powers of a member of our board of directors and Atlas Point Fund will not have the right to appoint such observer at any time that Atlas Point Fund or any of Atlas Point Fund’s affiliates has the right to designate a director or observer to the board of directors of a special purchase acquisition company that is focused on an industry similar to that which we are focused.


Opco LLC Agreement

In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Opco (the “Opco LLC Agreement”). A form of the Opco LLC Agreement was filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed in connection with our initial public offering, and the following description of the Opco LLC Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Conversion of Class B Units of Opco and Exchange Right

Our initial stockholders own all of the outstanding Class B Units of Opco. The Class B Units of Opco will convert into Class A Units of Opco in connection with the initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and subject to further adjustment as described below under “— Founder Shares Anti-Dilution.”

In addition, following our initial business combination, holders of Class A Units of Opco (other than Rice Acquisition Corp.) will have the right (an “exchange right”), subject to certain limitations, to exchange Class A Units of Opco (and a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock) for, at our option, (i) shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) a corresponding amount of cash. Our decision to make a cash payment upon an exercise of an exchange right will be made by our independent directors. We will determine whether to issue shares of our Class A common stock or pay cash based on facts in existence at the time of the decision, which we expect would include the relative value of the Class A common stock (including trading prices for the Class A common stock at the time), the cash purchase price, the availability of other sources of liquidity (such as an issuance of preferred stock) to acquire the Class A Units of Opco and alternative uses for such cash.

Holders of Class A Units of Opco (other than Rice Acquisition Corp.) will generally be permitted to exercise the exchange right on a quarterly basis, subject to certain de minimis allowances. In addition, additional exchanges may occur in connection with certain specified events, and any exchanges involving 500,000 or more Class A Units of Opco (subject to our discretion to permit exchanges of a lower number of units) may occur at any time upon ten business days’ advanced notice. The exchange rights will be subject to certain limitations and restrictions intended to reduce the administrative burden of exchanges upon us and ensure that Opco will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Following any exchange of Class A Units of Opco (and a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock), Rice Acquisition Corp. will retain the Class A Units of Opco and cancel the shares of our Class B common stock. As the holders of Class A Units of Opco (other than Rice Acquisition Corp.) exchange their Class A Units of Opco, our membership interest in Opco will be correspondingly increased, the number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding will be increased, and the number of shares of our Class B common stock outstanding will be reduced.

In connection with our initial business combination, we might choose to issue additional Class A Units of Opco (and corresponding shares of our Class B common stock) to participants in the business combination, such as sellers of assets or entities or financing sources. We expect that any participants receiving Class A Units of Opco in the business combination will have an exchange right on substantially the same terms as described above.

Founder Shares Anti-Dilution

In the case that additional shares of our Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the offering in connection with the initial business combination (other than the forward purchase securities), the number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco will convert may be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding founder shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that, after all founders shares have been exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock, the aggregate number of shares of our Class A common stock received by holders in exchange for founders shares would equal 20% of the sum of the total outstanding shares of common stock upon the completion of our initial public offering plus all shares of our Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the business combination (excluding the forward purchase securities and any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the business combination and excluding the sponsor shares). In addition, the number of outstanding shares of our Class B common stock will be adjusted through a stock split or stock dividend so that the total number of outstanding shares of our Class B common stock corresponds to the total number of Class A Units of Opco outstanding (other than those held by Rice Acquisition Corp.) plus the total number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco are entitled to convert.


Non-Liquidating Distributions and Allocations of Income and Loss

Subject to the obligation of Opco to make tax distributions and to reimburse Rice Acquisition Corp. for its corporate and other overhead expenses, Rice Acquisition Corp. will have the right to determine when non-liquidating distributions will be made to the holders of Opco Units and the amount of any such distributions. We do not anticipate making any such distributions (other than tax distributions and reimbursements of expenses) to holders of Opco Units (including Rice Acquisition Corp.) prior to our initial business combination, other than redemptions of Class A Units of Opco held by Rice Acquisition Corp. in connection with a redemption of public shares. If we authorize a non-liquidating distribution, whether before or following our initial business combination, the distribution will be made to holders of Opco Units on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage ownership of Opco Units.

Opco will allocate its net income or net loss for each year to the holders of its Class A and Class B Units pursuant to the terms of the Opco LLC Agreement, and holders of its Class A and Class B Units, including Rice Acquisition Corp., will generally incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their share of any taxable income of Opco. Prior to the initial business combination, net profits and net losses of Opco generally will be allocated to holders of Class A Units of Opco on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage ownership of Class A Units (except for certain allocations of items of book income and loss and book-tax differences that may be specially allocated). Prior to our initial business combination, to the extent cash is available, pro rata tax distributions will be made to the holders of Class A Units of Opco in an amount sufficient to allow Rice Acquisition Corp. to satisfy its actual income tax liabilities. We will own substantially all of the Class A Units of Opco prior to our initial business combination, and accordingly, we will be allocated substantially all of the taxable income of Opco and will receive substantially all of the tax distributions made by Opco.

After our initial business combination, net profits and net losses of Opco generally will be allocated to holders of Opco Units on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage ownership of Opco Units (except for certain allocations of book income and loss items and book-tax differences that may be specially allocated). After our initial business combination, to the extent cash is available, tax distributions will be made to the holders of Opco Units, on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage ownership of Opco Units, in an amount sufficient to allow Rice Acquisition Corp. to satisfy its actual tax liabilities.

Issuance of Equity

Except as otherwise determined by us, at any time Rice Acquisition Corp. issues a share of its Class A common stock or any other equity security, the net proceeds received by Rice Acquisition Corp. with respect to such issuance, if any, shall be concurrently invested in Opco, and Opco shall issue to Rice Acquisition Corp. one Class A Unit or other economically equivalent equity interest. Conversely, if at any time any shares of Rice Acquisition Corp.’s Class A common stock are redeemed, repurchased, or otherwise acquired by Rice Acquisition Corp., including in connection with the exercise of redemption rights by holders of our public shares, Opco shall redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire an equal number of Opco Units held by Rice Acquisition Corp., upon the same terms and for the same price, as the shares of our Class A common stock are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired.

Other Transactions With Our Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund

As more fully discussed in the section of this Report titled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us. We may pursue an Affiliated Joint Acquisition opportunity with an entity to which an officer or director has a fiduciary or contractual obligation. Any such entity may co-invest with us in the target business at the time of our initial business combination, or we could raise additional proceeds to complete the acquisition by issuing to such entity a class of equity or equity-linked securities.

Commencing on the date that our securities were first listed on the NYSE, we began to pay our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.


Other than these monthly fees, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination. However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. Except as set forth above, the terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.

After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials (as applicable) furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a stockholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.

We will enter into a registration rights agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, the warrants issuable upon conversion of working capital loans (if any) and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the foregoing and upon exchange of the founder shares, which is described under the heading “Description of Securities — Registration Rights.”

Related Party Policy

Following the consummation of our initial public offering, we adopted a code of ethics requiring us to avoid, wherever possible, all conflicts of interests, except under guidelines or resolutions approved by our board of directors (or the appropriate committee of our board) or as disclosed in our public filings with the SEC. Under our code of ethics, conflict of interest situations will include any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the company.

In addition, our audit committee, pursuant to a written charter that was adopted prior to the consummation of our initial public offering, is responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions to the extent that we enter into such transactions. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the audit committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required in order to approve a related party transaction. A majority of the members of the entire audit committee will constitute a quorum. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the audit committee is required to approve a related party transaction. We also require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.

These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.

To further minimize conflicts of interest, we will not consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our sponsor, officers or directors unless we, or a committee of independent directors, have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates.

notes.

Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(3) EXHIBITS
The following is a summarylist of fees paid to WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”) for services rendered.

Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements, reviews of our quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Withum for audit fees, inclusive of required filings with the SEC for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and of services rendered in connection with our initial public offering, totaled $66,435.

Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our year-end financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. We did not pay Withum any audit-related fees during the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

Tax Fees. Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services relating to tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. We did not pay Withum any tax fees during the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

All Other Fees. All other fees consist of fees billed for all other services. We did not pay Withum any other fees during the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

Pre-Approval Policy

Our audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our initial public offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).


75

PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules

(a)The following documents areexhibits filed as part of this Form 10-K:

(1)Financial Statements: Our consolidated financial statements are listed in the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1.

(2)Financial Statement Schedules: None.

(3)Exhibits

We hereby file as part of this Annual Report the exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index. Copies of such material can also be obtained on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

Exhibit No.

Description

3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (1)
3.2Bylaws. (2)
4.1Warrant Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, between the Company, Opco and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent. (1)
4.2Specimen Unit Certificate. (2)
4.3Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate. (2)
4.4Specimen Warrant Certificate. (2)
4.5Description of Registrant’s Securities. (3)
10.1Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, between the Company, Opco and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee. (1)
10.2Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, among the Company, the Sponsor, Atlas Point and certain other security holders named therein. (1)
10.3Private Placement Warrants and Warrants Rights Purchase Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, between the Company, Opco and the Sponsor. (1)
10.4Private Placement Warrants and Warrants Rights Purchase Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, between the Company, Opco and Atlas Point. (1)
10.5Letter Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, among the Company, its officers and directors, Atlas Point and the Sponsor. (1)
10.6Administrative Services Agreement, dated October 21, 2020, between the Company, Opco and the Sponsor. (1)
10.7Promissory Note, dated September 1, 2020, issued to sponsor by Opco. (2)
10.8Forward Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2020, between the Registrant and Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC. (2)

Form 10-K.

21.1Subsidiary of Rice Acquisition Corp. (4)
31.1Certification of the Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).*
31.2Certification of the Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).*
32.1Certification of the Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. 1350.**
32.2Certification of the Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. 1350.**
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.*
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.*
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.*
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.*
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.*

*Filed herewith

**Furnished herewith

(1)Incorporated
Exhibit NumberDescription
2.1+

2.2+(2)Incorporated
2.3+
2.4+
2.5+
2.6+
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
(3)4.2Incorporated
(4)4.3Incorporated
4.4*
10.1

119



Item 16.
Exhibit NumberDescription
10.2
10.3+
10.4+
10.5#
10.6#
10.7#
10.8+
10.9
10.10
21.1
31.1*
31.2*
32.1**
32.2**
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

Not applicable.


+    The Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the SEC a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit upon the request of the SEC in accordance with Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K.

#    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*Filed herewith.
**    Furnished herewith.
120



Certain instruments evidencing long-term debt have not been filed as exhibits hereto because none of the debt authorized under any such instruments exceeds 10% of the Company’s total assets. We agree to furnish to the SEC, upon request, a copy of any such instruments.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
121



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-Kreport to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

December 28, 2021

Archaea Energy Inc.
ARCHAEA ENERGY INC.
Date: March 18, 2022By:/s/ Nicholas Stork
Name:Nicholas Stork
Title:Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 18, 2022By:/s/ Chad Bellah
Chad Bellah
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer and DirectorPrincipal Accounting Officer)


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-Kreport has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

NamePositionDate
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Daniel Joseph Rice, IVExecutive Chairman and DirectorMarch 18, 2022
Daniel Joseph Rice, IV
/s/ Nicholas StorkChief Executive Officer and DirectorDecember 28, 2021March 18, 2022
Nicholas Stork(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Eric JavidiChief Financial OfficerDecember 28, 2021
Eric Javidi(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Chad BellahChief Accounting OfficerDecember 28, 2021
Chad Bellah(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Daniel J. Rice, IVChairman of the Board of DirectorsDecember 28, 2021
Daniel J. Rice, IV
/s/ J. Kyle DerhamDirectorDecember 28, 2021March 18, 2022
J. Kyle Derham
/s/ Kathryn JacksonDirectorDecember 28, 2021March 18, 2022
Kathryn Jackson
/s/ Joseph MalchowDirectorDecember 28, 2021March 18, 2022
Joseph Malchow
/s/ Scott ParkesDirectorDecember 28, 2021March 18, 2022
Scott Parkes
/s/ James TorgersonDirectorDecember 28, 2021 March 18, 2022
James Torgerson

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 (as restated)F-3
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 (as restated)F-4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 (as restated)F-5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 (as restated)F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (as restated)F-7


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of

Rice Acquisition Corp.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Rice Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Restatement of Financial Statements

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the 2020 financial statements have been restated to correct certain misstatements.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

New York, New York

May 13, 2021, except for the effects of the restatement disclosed in Note 2, as to which the date is December 28, 2021


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

DECEMBER 31, 2020

(as restated) 

Assets:   
Current assets:   
Cash $1,335,167 
Prepaid expenses  662,865 
Total current assets  1,998,032 
Investments held in Trust Account  237,308,171 
Total Assets $239,306,203 
     
Liabilities, Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption and Stockholders’ Deficit:    
Current liabilities:    
Accrued expenses $118,446 
Accounts payable  217,918 
Franchise tax payable  65,481 
Total current liabilities  401,845 
Warrant Liabilities  42,588,487 
Deferred legal fees  187,500 
Deferred underwriting commissions in connection with the initial public offering  7,610,750 
Total liabilities  50,788,582 
     
Commitments and Contingencies    
     
Class A common stock; 23,725,000 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.00 per share  237,250,000 
     
Stockholders’ Deficit:    
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding  - 
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 2,500 shares issued (all shares subject to possible redemption)  - 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5,931,350 shares issued and outstanding  593 
Additional paid-in capital  - 
Accumulated deficit  (47,868,812)
Total Rice Acquisition Corp deficit  (47,868,219)
     
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary  (864,160)
     
Total stockholders’ deficit  (48,732,379)
Total Liabilities, Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption and Stockholders’ Deficit $239,306,203 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020

(as restated) 

General and administrative expenses $291,301 
Franchise tax expense  65,481 
Total operating expenses  (356,782)
Loss on initial issuance of warrants  (1,654,000)
Transaction costs allocated to warrant liabilities  (787,138)
Interest Income  32,171 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  (19,728,480)
Net loss  (22,494,229)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary  (865,160)
Net loss attributable to Rice Acquisition Corp. $(21,629,069)
     
Weighted average shares outstanding of redeemable Class A common stock  13,139,483 
Basic and diluted net income per share, redeemable Class A $(1.20)
Weighted average shares outstanding of nonredeemable Class A and Class B common stock (1)  5,683,106 
Basic and diluted net loss per share, nonredeemable Class A and Class B $(1.20)

122

(1)This number excludes an aggregate of up to 250,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters. On December 5, 2020, the remaining unexercised over-allotment expired unused and therefore the remaining 250,000 shares of Class B common stock were forfeited (see Note 5).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020

(as restated)

  Common Stock  Additional     Non-controlling  Total 
  Class A  Class B  Paid-In  Accumulated  Interest in  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares (1)  Amount  Capital  Deficit  subsidiary  (Deficit) 
Balance - September 1, 2020 (inception)  -  $-   -  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Issuance of Class A and Class B common stock to Sponsor  2,500   -   6,181,350   618   24,382   -   -   25,000 
Issuance of Units in subsidiary to Sponsor  -   -   -   -   -   -   1,000   1,000 
Forfeited Shares  -   -   (250,000)  (25)  25   -   -   - 
Accretion of Class A common stock subject to redemption amount  -   -   -   -   (24,407)  (26,239,743)  -   (26,264,150)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (21,629,069)  (865,160)  (22,494,229)
Balance - December 31, 2020  2,500  $-   5,931,350  $593  $-  $(47,868,812) $(864,160) $(48,732,379)

(1)In October 2020, the Company effected a dividend of Class B common stock, resulting in an aggregate of 6,181,350 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the dividend (see Note 5).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020

(as restated)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:  
Net loss $

(22,494,229

)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities  19,728,480 
General and administrative expenses paid through Note from Sponsor  130,377 
Loss on initial issuance of warrants  

1,654,000

 
Transaction costs allocated to warrant liability  

787,138

 
Interest earned on securities held in Trust Account  (32,171)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Prepaid expenses  (662,865)
Accounts payable  44,898 
Accrued expenses  33,446 
Franchise tax payable  65,481 
Net cash used in operating activities  (745,445)
     
Cash Flows from Investing Activities    
Cash deposited in Trust Account  (237,276,000)
Net cash used in investing activities  (237,276,000)
     
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:    
Proceeds from note payable to related party  44,500 
Repayment of note payable to related party  (289,713)
Proceeds received from initial public offering, gross  237,250,000 
Proceeds received from private placement  6,771,000 
Offering costs paid  (4,419,175)
Net cash provided by financing activities  239,356,612 
     
Net change in cash  1,335,167 
Cash - beginning of the period  - 
Cash - end of the period $1,335,167 
     
Supplemental disclosure of noncash financing activities:    
Offering costs paid by Sponsor in exchange for issuance of Class A and Class B common stock $25,000 
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary $1,000 
Offering costs included in accounts payable $173,020 
Offering costs included in accrued expenses $85,000 
Offering costs funded with note payable - related party $114,836 
Deferred legal fees $187,500 
Deferred underwriting commissions $7,610,750 
Initial classification of warrant liability $21,206,020 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations

Rice Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on September 1, 2020. As used herein, “the Company” or “Rice” refer to Rice Acquisition Corp. and its majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiary, Rice Acquisition Holdings LLC (the “Opco”), unless the context indicates otherwise. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 relates to the Company’s formation and the preparation of its initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) and since the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering (as defined below). The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

The Company’s sponsor is Rice Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on October 21, 2020. On October 26, 2020, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 23,725,000 units (each, a “Unit” and collectively, the “Units”), including 2,225,000 additional Units that were issued pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $237.3 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $12.5 million, inclusive of $7.6 million in deferred underwriting commissions (Note 6).

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 6,771,000 warrants (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor and Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC (“Atlas Point Fund”), at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $6.8 million (Note 5). Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Rice’s Class A common stock or, in certain circumstances, one Class A Unit of Opco together with a corresponding number of shares of Rice’s non-economic Class B common stock.

Following the Initial Public Offering, the Public Stockholders (as defined below) will hold a direct economic equity ownership interest in Rice in the form of shares of Class A common stock, and an indirect ownership interest in Opco through Rice’s ownership of Class A Units of Opco. By contrast, the Initial Stockholders (as defined below) will own direct economic interests in Opco in the form of Class B Units and a corresponding non-economic voting equity interest in Rice in the form of shares of Class B common stock, as well as a small direct interest through the Sponsor Shares (as defined in Note 5). Sponsor Shares were purchased for $10.00 each and, in the absence of an initial Business Combination, will generally participate in liquidation or other payments on a pari passu basis with the Public Shares (as defined below). However, given the relatively de minimis number of Sponsor Shares relative to Public Shares, in many cases the economic, governance or other effects of the Sponsor Shares are not material to the holders of Class A common stock or warrants, and for simplicity, portions of this disclosure may not fully describe or reflect these immaterial effects.

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, approximately $237.3 million of the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants in the Private Placement were placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act (as defined below) having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in Trust) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-business combination company controls 50% or more of the voting securities of the target or is otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

The Company will provide the holders (the “Public Stockholders”) of the Company’s Public Shares with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. Unless otherwise stated herein, the term “Public Shares” includes the 2,500 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company held by the Sponsor and forming part of the Sponsor Shares. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then held in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share). The per-share amount to be distributed to Public Stockholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 6). These Public Shares will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. The Company will not redeem the Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each public stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Stockholders (as defined below) have agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined below in Note 5), Sponsor Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Stockholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination.

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or October 26, 2022 (the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay franchise and income taxes of the Company or Opco (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares and Class A Units of Opco (other than those held by Rice), which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Sponsor, Atlas Point Fund and the Company’s officers and directors (the “Initial Stockholders”) have agreed (i) that any Founder Shares and Sponsor Shares held by them will not be entitled to redemption rights, and they will waive any such redemption rights for any Public Shares held by them, in connection with the completion of the initial Business Combination, (ii) that any Founder Shares and Sponsor Shares held by them will not be entitled to redemption rights, and they will waive any such redemption rights for any Public Shares held by them, in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in a manner that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company have not consummated the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, (iii) that any Founder Shares held by them are subject to forfeiture, and thus will not be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account, and they will waive any such rights to liquidating distributions for any Founder Shares, if the Company fails to complete the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Public Shares and Sponsor Shares they hold if the Company fails to complete the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period), and (iv) in certain limited circumstances the Class B Units of Opco will have more limited rights to current or liquidating distributions from the Company.

The underwriters agreed to waive their rights to the deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and subsequently liquidates and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares and Sponsor Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.00. In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement (a “Target”), reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Public Share or Class A Unit of Opco not held by Rice and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share or Class A Unit of Opco not held by Rice held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share or Class A Unit of Opco not held by Rice due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or Target that executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable), nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiary after elimination of all intercompany transactions and balances as of December 31, 2020. The ownership interest of noncontrolling participants in the operating subsidiary is included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The noncontrolling participants’ share of the net loss is included as “Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Opco” on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

This may make comparison of the Company’s consolidated financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $1.3 million in its operating bank account and working capital of approximately $1.6 million (including tax obligations of approximately $32,000 that may be paid using the withdrawal of interest earned from Trust Account).

The Company’s liquidity needs to date had been satisfied through the payment of $26,000 from the Sponsor to purchase the Founder Shares and Sponsor Shares (see Note 5), the loan under the Note of approximately $290,000 (see Note 5), and the net proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. The Company repaid the Note in full on November 10, 2020. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s officers, directors and initial stockholders may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Working Capital Loans (see Note 5). As of December 31, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loans.

Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Risk and Uncertainties

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (the “COVID-19 outbreak”). In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. These developments and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the financial markets and the overall economy are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected. Additionally, the Company’s ability to complete an Initial Business Combination may be materially adversely affected due to significant governmental measures being implemented to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or treat its impact, including travel restrictions, the shutdown of businesses and quarantines, among others, which may limit the Company’s ability to have meetings with potential investors or affect the ability of a potential target company’s personnel, vendors and service providers to negotiate and consummate an Initial Business Combination in a timely manner. The Company’s ability to consummate an Initial Business Combination may also be dependent on the ability to raise additional equity and debt financing, which may be impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting market downturn. The consolidated financial statements does not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Note2 — Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements

The Company concluded it should restate its previously issued financial statements by amending Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021, to classify all Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in temporary equity. In accordance with accounting guidance on redeemable equity instruments, ASC 480, paragraph 10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. The Company had previously classified a portion of its Class A common stock in permanent equity, or total stockholders’ equity. Although the Company did not specify a maximum redemption threshold, its charter currently provides that, the Company will not redeem its public shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Previously, the Company did not consider redeemable stock classified as temporary equity as part of net tangible assets. Effective with these financial statements, the Company revised this interpretation to include temporary equity in net tangible assets. Also, in connection with the change in presentation for the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, the Company also restated its earnings per share calculation to allocate income and losses shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of shares share pro rata in the income and losses of the Company. As a result, the Company restated its previously filed financial statements to present all redeemable Class A common stock as temporary equity and to recognize accretion from the initial book value to redemption value at the time of its Initial Public Offering and in accordance with ASC 480. The Company’s previously filed financial statements that contained the error were initially reported in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2020 (the “Post-IPO Balance Sheet”), and the Company's Annual Report on 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2020, which were all previously restated in the Company's Amendment No. 1 to its Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021 (“the 2020 Affected Periods”), as well as the Company’s Form 10-Qs for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2021 (collectively, the “Affected Periods”). These financial statements restate the Company’s previously issued audited financial statements covering the periods through December 31, 2020. The quarterly periods ended March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2021, will be restated with amendments to the Company’s Form 10-Qs for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Impact of the Restatements

The impact of the restatement on the balance sheet, statement of operations and statement of cash flows for the 2020 Affected Periods is presented below.

The impact on the Post-IPO Balance Sheet is presented below:

IPO Balance Sheet - As Restated

As of October 26, 2020 As Previously
Reported in
Amendment No. 1
to Form 10-K
  Adjustment  As Restated 
Total assets $240,445,800      $240,445,800 
Total liabilities $31,915,097      $31,915,097 
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption  203,530,696   33,719,304   237,250,000 
Preferred stock  -   -   - 
Class A common stock  337   (337)  - 
Class B common stock  618   -   618 
Additional paid-in capital  7,669,592   (7,669,592)  - 
Accumulated deficit  (2,572,403)  (26,049,375)  (28,621,778)
Total Rice Acquisition Corp equity (deficit)  5,098,144   (33,719,304)  (28,621,160)
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary  (98,137)      (98,137)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) $5,000,007  $(33,719,304) $(28,719,297)
Total Liabilities, Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) $240,445,800  $-  $240,445,800 

The change in the carrying value of the redeemable shares of Class A common stock in the consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2020 resulted in a decrease of approximately $27.5 million in additional paid-in capital and an increase of approximately $26.2 million to accumulated deficit, as well as a reclassification of 5,373,238 shares of Class A common stock from permanent equity to temporary equity as presented below:

December 31, 2020

As of December 31, 2020 As Previously
Reported in
Amendment No. 1
to Form 10-K
  Adjustment  As Restated 
Total assets $239,306,203      $239,306,203 
Total liabilities $50,788,582      $50,788,582 
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption  183,517,620   53,732,380   237,250,000 
Preferred stock  -   -   - 
Class A common stock  538   (538)  - 
Class B common stock  593   -   593 
Additional paid-in capital  27,492,099   (27,492,099)  - 
Accumulated deficit  (21,629,069)  (26,239,743)  (47,868,812)
Total Rice Acquisition Corp equity (deficit)  5,864,161   (53,732,380)  (47,868,219)
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary  (864,160)      (864,160)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) $5,000,001  $(53,732,380) $(48,732,379)
Total Liabilities, Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) $239,306,203  $-  $239,306,203 


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The impact of the restatement to the previously reported as restated statement of cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:

For the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020

 As Previously Reported  Adjustment  As Restated 
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Financing Activities:         
Initial value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption $193,104,980  $(193,104,980) $                - 
Change in value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption $(9,587,360) $9,587,360  $- 

The impact to the reported amounts of weighted average shares outstanding and basic and diluted earnings per common share for the period ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:

  Earnings Per Share for Class A common stock 
  As Previously Reported  Adjustment  As Restated 
For the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020         
Net loss $(22,494,229) $-  $(22,494,229)
Weighted average shares outstanding  23,725,000   (10,585,517)  13,139,483 
Basic and diluted earnings per share $-  $(1.20) $(1.20)

  Earnings Per Share for Class B common stock 
  As Previously Reported  Adjustment  As Restated 
For the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020         
Net loss $(22,494,229) $-  $(22,494,229)
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,685,606   (2,500)  5,683,106 
Basic and diluted earnings per share $(3.80) $2.60  $(1.20)

RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures 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. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There are no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020.

Investments Held in Trust Account

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, the Company was required to place net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement in a Trust Account, which may be invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by management of the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account. Investments held in Trust Account are classified as trading securities, which are presented on the balance sheet at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of investments held in Trust Account are included in gain on marketable securities, dividends and interest held in Trust Account in the accompanying statement of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in Trust Account are determined using available market information, other than for investments in open-ended money market funds with published daily net asset values (“NAV”), in which case the Company uses NAV as a practical expedient to fair value. The NAV on these investments is typically held constant at $1.00 per unit.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000, and investments held in Trust Account. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

As of December 31, 2020, the carrying values of cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and franchise tax payable approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of the instruments. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s portfolio of investments held in the Trust Account is comprised of investments in U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of 185 days or less, which are recognized at fair value. The fair value of investments held in Trust Account is determined using quoted prices in active markets.

Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering

Offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting, underwriting commissions and other costs incurred that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs were allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the Initial Public Offering based on a relative fair value basis, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs associated with derivative warrant liabilities were expensed as incurred and presented as non-operating expenses in the statements of operations. Offering costs associated with the Class A common stock issued were charged against the carrying value of the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company classifies deferred underwriting commissions as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2020, 23,725,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Under ASC 480-10-S99, the Company has elected to recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying value of the security to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. This method would view the end of the reporting period as if it were also the redemption date for the security. Accordingly, effective with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company recognized the accretion from the initial book value to redemption amount, which resulted in charges against paid-in capital (to the extent available) and accumulated deficit.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the respective period.

The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share does not consider the effect of the warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering (including the consummation of the over-allotment) and the private placement warrants to purchase an aggregate of 18,633,500 shares of Class A common stock, because their exercise is contingent upon future events and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per share is the same as basic net income (loss) per share for the year ended December 31, 2020. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

The table below presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for each class of common stock:

  For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 
  Class A  Class B 
Basic and diluted net loss per common share:      
Numerator:      
Allocation of net loss $(15,702,544) $(6,791,685)
         
Denominator:        
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding  13,139,483   5,683,106 
         
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(1.20) $(1.20)

Income Taxes

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification, or FASB ASC, 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Derivative warrant liabilities

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and ASC 815-15. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period.

The Company accounts for its 18,633,500 common stock warrants issued in connection with its Initial Public Offering (11,862,500) and Private Placement (6,771,000) as derivative warrant liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. The fair value of warrants issued by the Company in connection with the Public Offering and Private Placement has been estimated using Monte-Carlo simulations at each measurement date.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncement if currently adopted would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 4 — Initial Public Offering

On October 26, 2020, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 23,725,000 Units, including 2,225,000 Over-Allotment Units that were issued pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $237.3 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $12.5 million, inclusive of $7.6 million in deferred underwriting commissions. Of the 23,725,000 Units sold, affiliates of the Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund had purchased 1,980,000 Units (the “Affiliated Units”) and 2,128,500 Units (the “Atlas Units”), respectively, at the Initial Public Offering price. The underwriters did not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions on the 1,980,000 Affiliated Units.

Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Rice’s Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7).

Note 5 — Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares and Sponsor Shares

In September 2020, the Sponsor paid $25,000 to cover for certain of expenses of the Company in exchange for issuance of (i) 5,750,100 shares of Rice’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) 2,500 shares of Rice’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. In September 2020, the Sponsor received 5,750,000 Class B Units of Opco (which are profits interest units only). In October 2020, the Sponsor forfeited 90,000 Class B Units of Opco, and 30,000 Class B Units of Opco were issued to each of the independent directors. The Sponsor transferred a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock to the independent directors. In October 2020, the Company effected a dividend, resulting in an aggregate of (i) 6,181,350 shares of Rice’s Class B common stock, and (ii) 2,500 shares of Rice’s Class A common stock outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the dividend. Upon a liquidation of Opco, distributions generally will be made to the holders of Opco Units on a pro rata basis, subject to certain limitations with respect to the Class B Units of Opco, including that, prior to the completion of the initial Business Combination, such Class B Units will not be entitled to participate in a liquidating distribution.

Also, in September 2020, Rice paid $25,000 to Opco in exchange for issuance of 2,500 Class A Units of Opco. In September 2020, the Sponsor received 100 Class A Units of Opco in exchange for $1,000.

The Company refers to the 6,181,250 shares of Class B common stock and corresponding number of Class B Units of Opco (or the Class A Units of Opco into which such Class B Units will convert) collectively as the “Founder Shares”. The Founder Shares consist of Class B Units of Opco (and any Class A Units of Opco into which such Class B Units are converted) and a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, which together will be exchangeable for shares of Rice’s Class A common stock after the time of the initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as provided herein. The Company refers to the 2,500 shares of Rice’s Class A common stock and the 100 Class A Units of Opco and a corresponding number of shares of Rice’s non-economic Class B common stock (which together will be exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock after the initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis) collectively as the “Sponsor Shares”.

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor forfeited 309,063 Class B Units of Opco, and 309,063 Class B Units of Opco were issued to Atlas Point Fund. The Sponsor transferred a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock to Atlas Point Fund.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Initial Stockholders agreed to forfeit up to 806,250 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriters, so that the Founder Shares will represent 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the Sponsor Shares). On October 26, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase as additional 2,225,000 Units; thus, only 250,000 Founder Shares remain subject to forfeiture to the extent the over-allotment option is fully exercised. On December 5, 2020, the remaining unexercised over-allotment expired unused and therefore the remaining 250,000 shares of Class B common stock were forfeited.

The Class B Units of Opco will convert into Class A Units of Opco in connection with the initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. The Founder Shares consist of Class B Units of Opco (and any Class A Units of Opco into which such Class B Units are converted) and a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, which together will be exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock after the time of the initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of the Business Combination (other than the forward purchase securities), the number of Class A Units of Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco will convert may be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding Founder Shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-exchanged basis, 20% of the sum of the total outstanding shares of Rice’s common stock upon completion of the Initial Public Offering, plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the Business Combination (excluding the forward purchase securities and any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the Business Combination and excluding the Sponsor Shares). In addition, the number of outstanding shares of Class B common stock will be adjusted through a stock split or stock dividend so that the total number of outstanding shares of Class B common stock corresponds to the total number of Class A Units of Opco outstanding (other than those held by Rice) plus the total number of Class A Units Opco into which the Class B Units of Opco are entitled to convert.

The Initial Stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares held by them (and any shares of Class A common stock acquired upon exchange of Founder Shares) until one year after the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or earlier if, subsequent to the initial Business Combination, (i) the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination or (ii) the Company consummates a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Private Placement Warrants

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the Private Placement of 6,771,000 Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor and Atlas Point Fund, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $6.8 million.

Each whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for a price of $11.50 to purchase one share of Rice’s Class A common stock or, in certain circumstances, one Class A Unit of Opco together with a corresponding number of shares of Rice’s non-economic Class B common stock. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor, Atlas Point Fund or their permitted transferees.

With certain limited exceptions, the Private Placement Warrants and the securities underlying such warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Related Party Loans

On September 1, 2020, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan is non-interest bearing and payable upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company borrowed an aggregate of approximately $290,000 under the Note. The outstanding balance of the Note was paid in full as of November 10, 2020.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company will repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1.5 million of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. To date, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.

The Sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on the Company’s behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable Business Combinations. The Company’s audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to the Sponsor, officers or directors, or their affiliates.

Administrative Support Agreement

Commencing on the date the Company’s securities are first listed on NYSE, the Company agreed to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services provided to members of the management team. Upon completion of the initial Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.

Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies

Forward Purchase Agreement

The Company entered into an amended and restated forward purchase agreement (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) with Atlas Point Fund, pursuant to which Atlas Point Fund, which is a fund managed by CIBC National Trust but is not affiliated with the Company or sponsor, agreed to purchase up to $75,000,000 of either (i) a number of units (the “forward purchase units”), consisting of one share of Class A common stock (the “forward purchase shares”) and one-third of one warrant (the “forward purchase warrants”), for $10.00 per unit or (ii) a number of forward purchase shares for $9.67 per share (such forward purchase shares valued at $9.67 per share or the forward purchase units, as the case may be, the “forward purchase securities”), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Business Combination. The forward purchase warrants will have the same terms as the public warrants and the forward purchase shares will be identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the units being sold in this offering, except the forward purchase shares and the forward purchase warrants will be subject to transfer restrictions and certain registration rights and the forward purchase units will consist of only one-third of one forward purchase warrant. The funds from the sale of the forward purchase securities may be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the Initial Business Combination, and any excess funds may be used for the working capital needs of the post-transaction company. This agreement is independent of the percentage of stockholders electing to redeem their public shares and may provide the Company with an increased minimum funding level for the Initial Business Combination. The forward purchase agreement is subject to conditions, including the Company extending an offer to Atlas Point Fund to purchase the forward purchase securities, Atlas Point Fund giving the Company its irrevocable written consent to purchase the forward purchase securities no later than five days after the Company notifies it of the Company’s intention to meet to consider entering into a definitive agreement for a proposed Business Combination. Atlas Point Fund may grant or withhold its consent to the purchase entirely within its sole discretion. Accordingly, if Atlas Point Fund does not consent to the purchase, it will not be obligated to purchase the forward purchase securities.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Registration Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, if any, (and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial Business Combination. Additionally, pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to grant certain registration rights to Atlas Point Fund in connection with the issuance of any forward purchase units upon the completion of the Company’s Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the registration of such securities.

Underwriting Agreement

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 3,225,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On October 26, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 2,225,000 Units.

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit (excluding the Affiliated Units purchased). As a result of affiliates of the Sponsor purchasing 1,980,000 Units, the Company paid an underwriting discount of approximately $4.3 million in the aggregate upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit (excluding the Affiliated Units), or approximately $7.6 million in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Note 7 — Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of future events. As of December 31, 2020, there were 23,727,500 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, of which 23,725,000 were subject to possible redemption and are classified outside of permanent equity in the balance sheet.

The Class A common stock issued in the Initial Public Offering and issued as part of the Over-Allotment Units were recognized in Class A common stock subject to possible redemption as follows:

Gross proceeds from initial public offering $237,250,000 
Less:    
Fair value of Public Warrants at issuance  (14,435,020)
Offering costs allocated to Class A common stock subject to possible redemption  (11,829,130)
Plus:    
Accretion on Class A common stock subject to possible redemption amount  26,264,150 
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption $237,250,000 

Note 8 — Stockholders’ Deficit

Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of December 31, 2020, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Class A Common Stock — As of December 31, 2020, the Company is authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of December 31, 2020, there were 23,737,500 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, of which 23,725,000 shares are subject to possible redemption and therefore classified outside of permanent equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 2, 2020, the Company issued 5,750,100 shares of Class B common stock. In October 2020, the Company effected a dividend of Class B common stock, resulting in an aggregate of 6,181,350 shares of Rice’s Class B common stock outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the dividend. Of the 6,181,350 shares of Rice’s Class B common stock outstanding, up to 806,250 shares of Class B common stock were subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that the Initial Stockholders will collectively own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the Sponsor Shares). On October 26, 2020, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 2,225,000 Units; thus, only 250,000 Founder Shares remained subject to forfeiture to the extent the over-allotment option is fully exercised. On December 5, 2020, the remaining underwriters’ over-allotment option expired unexercised; thus, 250,000 Founder shares held by the Sponsor were forfeited for no consideration. As of December 31, 2020, there were 5,931,350 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.

Holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, except as required by law. Each share of common stock will have one vote on all such matters. Prior to the initial Business Combination, only holders of Class B common stock will have the right to vote on the election of directors.

Note 9 — Warrant Liability

Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional Public Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering; provided in each case that the Company has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or the Company permits holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act). The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, it will use its best efforts to file with the SEC and have an effective registration statement covering the shares of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of the Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed. If a registration statement covering the shares of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption.

The warrants have an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustments, and will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the board and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the Newly Issued Price.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Redemption of warrants when our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share:

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants for cash (except as described herein with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

in whole and not in part;

at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

if, and only if, the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

The Company will not redeem the warrants for cash unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period, except if the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act. If the Company calls the warrants for redemption for cash as described above, the management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.”

Redemption of warrants when our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share:

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

in whole and not in part;

at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares of Class A common stock determined by reference to an agreed table based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of Class A common stock;

if and only if, the last sale price of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and

if, and only if, there is an effective registration statement covering the issuance of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating thereto available throughout the 30- day period after written notice of redemption is given.

The “fair market value” of the Class A common stock shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Class A common stock as reported during the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants.

None of the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their permitted transferees.

In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any warrant. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

See Note 9 for additional disclosures regarding the valuation of the warrant liabilities.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 10 — Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:

Level 1:Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2:Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3:Unobservable inputs based on our assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company classifies its U.S. Treasury and equivalent securities as held-to-maturity in accordance with ASC Topic 320 “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities.” Held-to-maturity securities are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held-to-maturity treasury securities are recorded at amortized cost on the accompanying balance sheet and adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts.

As of December 31, 2020, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $237,307,717 in U.S. Treasury securities. During the period from October 26, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020, the Company did not withdraw any interest income from the Trust Account.

The following table presents information about the Company’s held-to-maturity assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value. The gross holding gains and fair value of held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2020, are as follows:

  Fair Value Measured as of December 31, 2020 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Assets            
Investments held in Trust Account - U.S. Treasury Securities $237,307,717  $-  $-  $237,307,717 
Liabilities:                
Warrant Liability - Public Warrants          27,046,487   27,046,487 
Warrant Liability - Private Warrants  -   -   15,542,000   15,542,000 
Total fair value $237,307,717  $-  $42,588,487  $279,896,204 

The Warrants were accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the statement of operations.

Initial Measurement

The Company established the initial fair value for the Warrants on October 26, 2020, the date of the Company’s Initial Public Offering, using a Monte Carlo simulation model for the Public Warrants and a Black-Scholes model for the Private Placement Warrants. The Company allocated the proceeds received from (i) the sale of Units (which is inclusive of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one Public Warrant), (ii) the sale of Private Placement Warrants, and (iii) the issuance of Class B common stock, first to the Warrants based on their fair values as determined at initial measurement, with the remaining proceeds allocated to Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, Class A common stock and Class B common stock based on their relative fair values at the initial measurement date. The Warrants were classified as Level 3 at the initial measurement date due to the use of unobservable inputs.

F-23

RICE ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The key inputs into the Monte Carlo simulation model for the Public Warrants and the Black-Scholes model for the Private Placement Warrants were as follows at initial measurement:

  As of October 26,
2020
 
Exercise price $11.50 
Stock price $9.39 
Term (in years)  6 
Volatility  20%
Risk-free interest rate  0.46%
Dividend yield  - 

On October 26, 2020, the fair value of the Public Warrants was determined to be $1.22 per warrant for an aggregate value of $14.4 million. The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was determined to be $1.24 per warrant for an aggregate value of $8.4 million.

Subsequent Measurement

The Warrants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The subsequent measurement of the Public Warrants as of December 31, 2020 is classified as Level 1 due to the use of an observable market quote in an active market.

The key inputs into the Black-Scholes model for the Private Placement Warrants were as follows as of December 31, 2020:

  

As of December 31,

2020

 
Exercise price $11.50 
Stock price $10.83 
Term (in years)  5.82 
Volatility  22.68 
Risk-free interest rate  0.48 
Dividend yield  - 

As of December 31, 2020, the derived fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was determined to be $2.30 per warrant for an aggregate value of $15.5 million. The observable fair value of the Public Warrants was $2.20 per warrant for an aggregate value of $27.0 million.

The following table presents the changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities:

  Private
Placement
  Level  Public  Level  Warrant
Liabilities
 
                
Fair Value as of September 3, 2020 $-      $-      $- 
Initial measurement on October 26, 2020 $8,425,987   3  $14,435,020   3  $22,860,007 
Change in fair value $7,117,000      $12,611,480      $19,728,480 
Fair Value as of December 31, 2020 $15,541,987   3  $27,046,500   1  $42,588,487 

Due to the use of quoted prices in an active market (Level 1) to measure the fair value of the Public Warrants, subsequent to initial measurement, the Company had transfers out of Level 3 totaling $14.4 million during the period from October 26, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Level 3 financial liabilities consist of the Private Placement Warrant liability for which there is no current market for these securities such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. Changes in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period based on changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as appropriate.

As of October 26, 2020, at initial measurement, the private warrants value exceeded their cost by approximately $1,654,000. This amount is recognized as loss on issuance of private placement warrants for the period ending December 31, 2020.


RICE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 11 — Income Taxes

The Company’s taxable income primarily consists of interest income on the Trust Account. The Company’s general and administrative expenses are generally considered start-up costs and are not currently deductible. There was no income tax expense for the period from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

The income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020:

Current
Federal$
State
Deferred
Federal(68,168)
State
Change in valuation allowance68,168
Income tax provision$

The Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows as of December 31, 2020:

Start-up/Organization costs $61,173 
Net operating loss carryforwards  6,995 
Total deferred tax assets  68,168 
Valuation allowance  (68,168)
Deferred tax asset, net of allowance $ 

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax assets, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance.

There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2020. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate (benefit) to the Company’s effective tax rate (benefit) is as follows from September 1, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020:

Statutory Federal income tax rate21.0%
Change in Valuation Allowance(21.0)%
Income Taxes Benefit0.0%

Note 12 — Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurring through May 13, 2021, the date the consolidated financial statements was available for issuance, require potential adjustment to or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements and has concluded that all such events that would require recognition or disclosure have been recognized or disclosed, except for the disclosure in Note 2.

F-24