The Startup Making Landfills Obsolete: LOCOAL Founder Miles Murray Returns

LOCOAL is entering its breakout moment.In this episode of The Building Texas Show, three-time guest Miles Murray, Founder & CEO of LOCOAL, returns to share the company’s major milestone: their first commercial waste-to-energy unit is now deployed just outside Houston. This marks LOCOAL’s transition from prototype to full commercial operation.Their modular 50-foot system transforms wood waste, storm debris, and industrial byproducts into clean energy, high-purity carbon, and bio-oil—creating a new circular economy for Texas and beyond.Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, municipal leader, or part of the carbon/energy sector, this episode delivers a powerful look at the future of decentralized clean-tech infrastructure.What You’ll Learn• How LOCOAL converts waste into energy and high-purity carbon• Why counties, cities, and recyclers are turning to mobile waste-to-energy systems• The explosive growth of biochar in agriculture, concrete, steel, and battery science• U.S. Air Force–funded innovation pushing LOCOAL toward national deployment in 2026• How LOCOAL secured $250M in LOIs and strategic investment for scaling• Why wildfire mitigation and landfill reduction need decentralized solutions nowLOCOAL has developed a patented waste-to-energy system designed to bring clean energy generation directly to the source of waste. Their mobile modular units convert organic and rubber feedstocks into energy, bio-oil, and market-grade carbon while reducing wildfire risks and diverting waste from landfills.Learn more: https://www.locoal.comAbout The Building Texas ShowHosted by Justin McKenzie, The Building Texas Show highlights the entrepreneurs, innovators, industries, and rural communities shaping the future of Texas.Subscribe for more episodes on:• Texas innovation• Clean energy & carbon markets• Entrepreneurship & investment• Rural economic development• Future of work + emerging industriesIf you found this episode insightful, please like, comment, and subscribe.Your support helps us spotlight the innovators building the future of Texas.Chapters00:00 – Intro & Welcome to Miles Murray (Third Appearance)00:29 – The Startup Journey: Idea → Prototype → Commercial Pilot01:16 – What LOCOAL Does: Making Landfills Obsolete03:05 – Origin Story: Iraq, Hard Environments & Mobile Waste Solutions04:09 – Timber Economics & Domestic Energy Demand05:40 – Turning Waste Into Valuable Feedstock05:51 – Customer #1: Pallet Recycling & Wood Waste07:11 – Why Mulch Piles Catch Fire08:46 – Wildfire Risk & Post-Flood Debris in Texas11:11 – Biochar 101: From Soil to Steel14:00 – LOCOAL Today: Pilot Deployment & 2026 Outlook16:06 – Patents, Global Expansion & $250M in LOIs16:52 – What the System Looks Like: A 50-Foot Power Plant18:50 – From Waste Pile to Energy, Carbon & Bio-Oil19:42 – Why Municipalities Should Pay Attention21:36 – Carbon Credits & Molecular-Level Tracking22:57 – Agriculture, Biochar & Rural Economic Impact23:06 – 2026: Breakout Year & How to Connect24:24 – Closing Remarks