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Murphy Engineering, Inc.
Top Engineering Excellence Award for Waste-to-Energy Project
Mid-South Consulting, Inc., a consulting firm with offices in Florence, MS and Memphis, TN,
Murphy Engineering, Inc. of Tupelo, MS, and Jenkins Engineering, Inc. of Tupelo, MS. are the
recipients of the top award, the Grand Conceptor Award at the 2013 Engineering Excellence
Awards for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Mississippi (ACEC/ MS) for its
outstanding Waste-to-Energy project at the Three Rivers Regional Landfill in Pontotoc, MS.
ACEC/MS annually recognizes the year’s most outstanding engineering accomplishments by
awarding projects that demonstrate the highest degree of achievement, value, innovation, and
integrity. The award was presented to Mid-South Consulting, Inc., Murphy Engineering, Inc.,
and Jenkins Engineering, Inc. for the unique landfill gas to energy project. The project was one
of the first landfill gas to energy projects in the State of Mississippi and the only facility in the
state that removes siloxanes from the biogas.
The project utilizes methane generated from solid waste decomposition within the landfill to
fuel a 1.2 Megawatt generator. The power produced by the generator is sold to the Tennessee
Valley Authority (TVA) through Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA) under a 10 year
agreement as part of the TVA’s Green Energy Partnership Program. Power generated from the
facility is capable of providing electricity to approximately 800 residential homes in the
community.
This project is unique because the design, construction and operation of the facility were not
mandated by any federal, state or local regulations nor subsidized by government funds. These
conditions made it absolutely essential that the overall project be financially sustainable and
operating in the black throughout the life of the project. The project generates approximately
$1 million/year in revenue, which is more than adequate to pay for principal and interest
payments and day-to-day operations and maintenance expenses. The project also contributes
more than $100,000/year to the Closure/Post Closure Fund of the landfill, which assists the
Three Rivers Solid Waste Management Authority in keeping user fees and operational costs low
for the residents and businesses within the seven county planning area served by the landfill.
“While most landfills look at landfill gas as a burden, the Authority approached landfill gas
management as a revenue opportunity. It is not very often that a green project can be
financially sustainable without some type of government subsidy. This project is a green
project that operates in the black.” says Calvin Abernathy of Mid-South Consulting, Inc.
ACEC Mississippi is a professional trade association representing the business interests
of the consulting engineering profession and offers professional knowledge and services
to enhance the quality of life for every citizen in Mississippi.
Grand Conceptor Award Winner: Mid-South Consulting, Inc. Murphy Engineering, Inc. & Jenkins
Engineering, Inc., for the Three Rivers Regional Landfill Generator Project. Pictured left to right:
Dennis Murphy, Murphy Engineering, Inc., Calvin Abernathy, Mid-South Consulting, Inc., Ronnie
Bell, Governmental Functions Director, Three Rivers Planning & Development District, Inc., Dan
Reese, Solid Waste Specialist, Three Rivers Planning & Development District, Inc., and Ron
Cassada, President, ACEC/MS.
Murphy Engineering, Inc. honored with the 2013 Mississippi ACEC
Grand Conceptor Award for its part in the Three Rivers Regional
Landfill Generator Project.
