Patrick Mahoney — Biography
Energy Answers Corporation
Patrick F. Mahoney, P.E., D.E.E.
B.S. — Civil Engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Since 1986, Pat Mahoney has been the President, CEO and Chairman of Energy Answers Corporation.
Energy Answers Corporation was formed in 1981 to implement a resource recovery approach to waste management and to utilize patented technology developed by Pat Mahoney's engineering firm, Smith & Mahoney, P.C.
The engineering firm, established in 1970, employed 60 engineers, architects and support personnel and provided general civil, structural and mechanical engineering and development services to numerous municipal and private clients. Their focus was on the development of environmentally sound solutions for water, wastewater, sludge and solid waste problems, as well as several "urban renewal" projects in the Northeast U.S.
Smith & Mahoney, with Pat Mahoney serving as President from 1970 to 1986, was responsible for the conceptual design of the Albany New York Solid Waste Energy Recovery System (ANSWERS) and the detailed design, construction and operation of the fuel processing and materials recovery components for that system. The project received the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement in New York State in 1982 and also received the 1984 Governor's Award from the U.S. Department of Energy for a "distinguished contribution to our Nation's energy efficiency." Another project of particular value was the zero energy/natural freezing solution for the management of water treatment plant sludge from the 24 mgd Fuera Bush water treatment plant which has eliminated sludge discharges and has performed without any maintenance cost since 1980.
Under Pat Mahoney's direction, Energy Answers Corporation has designed, built, operated and expanded the $400 million, 3,000-tons/day SEMASS Resource Recovery Project (the most successful Energy-from-Waste facility yet constructed); developed and patented dry and wet combustion ash management systems for recovery of valuable materials ($1,000/day of U.S. coins are recovered from SEMASS combustion ash) and production of building materials; acquired and upgraded two small, marginally operating waste-to-energy facilities, bringing performance and operations to award-winning levels; developed and patented numerous processes for the recovery of resources from liquid and solid waste; pioneered and advanced the zero disposal approach to solid waste management, increasing energy recovery and decreasing residues to less than 5% of incoming material (the best yet accomplished in the industry); developed a process for utilizing waste sludges in solid fuel combustion systems to reduce air emissions; and, advanced the concept of industrial ecology, utilizing waste resource recovery facilities as a primary generator of economic value and major reducer of environmental damage.
We are particularly proud of the selection of our Energy Answers technology and the SEMASS Facility for a permanent exhibit on "Man and Science" at the Smithsonian Institute. It is the only resource recovery system featured.
Energy Answers' projects have been economically successful and received many awards and recognition for innovation, safety, environmental superiority and performance including:
- The 1996 Corporate Award by the Ecological Society of America for Resource Recycling
- Smithsonian Institute — SEMASS and EAC technology are featured in a permanent exhibit
- 1993 Excellence in Environmental Engineering Honor Award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers
- 1993 Corporate Citizen Award by the Plymouth [Massachusetts] County Development Council
- 1990 Golden Freight Car Award for the SEMASS waste railhaul system
- 1989 Special Recognition Award from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District
- Power Magazine's Environmental Protection Award
- ASME 2004 Small Combustion Facility of the Year — Pittsfield Resource Recovery Facility
- 2003 Occupational Safety Award of Honor — Pioneer Valley Resource Recovery Facility
- Massachusetts Statewide Safety Council Award — Pioneer Valley Resource Recovery Facility
- OSHA — SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) status awarded to three of EAC's Massachusetts operations the in February 2002.
Notable Accomplishments
Pat Mahoney was a leader in the efforts to preserve historic buildings in downtown Albany, NY which were slated for demolition and "urban renewal." The purchase, renovation and commercial reutilization of many downtown landmarks are attributed to his entrepreneurial efforts. Today, downtown Albany is a thriving commercial area.
Pat Mahoney has been a keynote speaker at conferences and university forums and has been a guest lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Harvard, Yale, University of Puerto Rico, Colorado School of Mines, Syracuse College of Environmental Science and the University of the Virgin Islands.
Professional Licenses
Licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Jersey, US Virgin Islands, and Massachusetts
Affiliations
- Diplomate, American Academy of Environmental Engineers
- Life Member, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Member, American Solar Energy Society
- Member, American Water Works Association
- Member, American Public Works Association
- Member, Urban Land Institute
- Member, National Society for Professional Engineers
- Founding Member, New York State Solid Waste Management Association
- Member International Society of Industrial Ecology