Miramar takes incinerator fight to lawmakers in Tallahassee. Here’s the latest
Miramar’s mayor says the city is maintaining its fight against Miami-Dade’s plans to build a new waste incinerator, as two additional potential sites — including one just 2 miles south of Miramar — are being floated.
At the Wednesday, Jan. 21, Miramar City Commission meeting, Mayor Wayne M. Messam said the city is opposing the project on multiple fronts, including through state legislation. The city has already hired a law firm to monitor Miami-Dade’s incinerator plans.
“The city of Miramar remains vigilant in our efforts to protect our community from the risk of having an incinerator near our city,” Messam said Wednesday.
A new salvo from the city is legislation being introduced during the legislative session.
Messam pointed to House Bill 1089, filed by State Rep. Robin Bartleman, who represents the city, which would restrict where waste incinerators and similar facilities can be built, particularly near environmentally sensitive areas such as the Florida Everglades.
A sister bill in the Florida Senate has been filed by Sen. Barbara Sharief, who also represents Miramar.
Under the proposed legislation, local governments would be barred from approving permits for new solid-waste or waste-to-energy incinerators within a defined distance of environmentally sensitive land, including the Everglades, and in areas that could pose heightened risks to nearby communities.
The bill also would require closer scrutiny of environmental impacts, air emissions and proximity to residential neighborhoods before any facility could move forward.
If passed, the bill would restrict Miami-Dade’s incinerator plans.
Supporters say the measure is intended to prevent large-scale waste facilities from being placed near protected ecosystems or densely populated areas, while critics argue it could limit flexibility in managing waste.
The legislation is part of a broader push by South Florida lawmakers and municipalities concerned about the environmental and health impacts of large waste-to-energy facilities.
The renewed opposition comes as Miami-Dade continues to evaluate possible locations for a new incinerator following the shutdown of its Covanta waste-to-energy plant.
While bidders initially did not submit specific sites, new information has since been provided to the office of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
One of the newly disclosed options includes an industrial property near Okeechobee Road and Florida’s Turnpike, associated with a proposal from Florida Power & Light and FCC.
The site is just one of several possibilities now under review. County commissioners have said no final decision has been made and that multiple options remain on the table.
Messam said Miramar remains concerned that any site near western Broward could expose residents to increased truck traffic, air pollution and potential risks to nearby natural resources.
Messam said Miramar will continue coordinating with other municipalities, state lawmakers and environmental advocates as Miami-Dade’s planning process moves forward.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 2:59 PM.
