Murfreesboro, TN - The City of Murfreesboro is set to conduct a Public Meeting next month where the public is invited to attend and share their views on a proposed Solid Waste Materials Management Station, otherwise known as a Transfer Station. The meeting will take place in Council Chambers on the first floor of the Murfreesboro City Hall (City Hall is located at 111 West Vine Street in Murfreesboro). This upcoming meeting will be on the night of Valentine's Day (Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024), from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The transfer station is separate from biomass fuel processing, which could also play a vital role in waste-to-energy roles on the same piece of property.

The overall project involves processing a portion of the City's residential solid waste for either shipment to a landfill or conversion into a marketable energy product by a company called WastAway. Officials with the city previously highlighted that WastAway's process diverts 90 percent of solid waste, with 70 percent transformed into an SE3 biomass fuel (coal/wood equivalent). The remaining 10 percent still requires landfill disposal. Approximately 7 percent of the City's waste stream consists of recoverable metals destined for recycling, while the residual moisture is eliminated as part of the WastAway process.

Residents and interested citizens are encouraged to attend the Public Informational Meeting, where project details about the proposed Transfer Station, slated for 2120 Butler Drive in Murfreesboro, will be presented. The meeting aims to provide a platform for the community to express their thoughts and ask questions about the project.

Event Details:

• Who: City of Murfreesboro and interested citizens

• What: Public Informational Meeting on proposed Transfer Station

• When: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024

• Where: City Hall, Council Chambers, 111 West Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37133

The Public Meeting agenda includes a presentation of the project plan, and attendees will have the opportunity to provide comments and pose questions after the presentation. Residents speaking for themselves will have 3 minutes, while those representing a group will be allocated 5 minutes.

City staff will be on-site to note comments and address questions during the meeting, time permitting. In case more research is needed or time constraints arise, City staff commits to following up with answers to attendees.

For inquiries ahead of the Public Meeting, interested parties can contact Darren Gore at dgore@murfreesborotn.gov.

Background Information: The City's plan involves constructing a Materials Management Station (South Transfer Station) on twenty-two (22) acres at 2120 Butler Drive off Joe B. Jackson Parkway. This facility will process the City's residential solid waste, directing 90 percent of it for shipping to a landfill or converting it to a marketable energy product by WastAway at the same location.

City officials previously reported WastAway's process diverts 90 percent of solid waste, with 70 percent converted to an SE3 biomass fuel (coal/wood equivalent). Ten percent is designated for landfill disposal, and approximately 7 percent, comprising metals, will be recovered and recycled. The remaining moisture is vaporized as part of the WastAway process.

It's essential to note that the Materials Management Station is distinct from a proposed Qualified Biogas Processing Facility project with WastAway, which could be integrated into the project if approved by TDEC. Future public hearings will be scheduled before the Planning Commission and City Council if the Biogas facility meets defined objectives and moves forward.

Just last year, the Murfreesboro City Council gave the initial green-light to approve the initial steps needed to make way for the project, which comes with a $65 (PLUS) million price-tag. Overall funding for the project comes from the City of Murfreesboro paying for the $17.5-million transfer station, coupled with $50-million being covered by private investors and/or revenue bonds. Some of the funds would also be in the form of tax credits. Property records show the City of Murfreesboro has owned the parcel of land since 2021.