For Miramar, Miami-Dade incinerator threat continues. Here are latest developments

If Miramar residents thought their concerns over a planned Miami-Dade incinerator near the city were over when the county dropped plans to build on the old Opa-Locka airport site, think again.

On Thursday, Feb. 12, Miami-Dade commissioners continued considering two new sites along Okeechobee Road — both locations are less than a mile from Miramar — in a move that raises alarms among city leaders and residents and again heightens their battle, the Miami Herald reported.

Miami-Dade’s latest options for a $1.5 billion waste-to-energy facility are two privately owned sites: a 78-acre lot outside Hialeah favored by FCC Environmental Services and a 65-acre parcel along Okeechobee Road backed by Florida Power & Light, the Herald reported.

Both sites are surrounded by industrial properties, and the western sections of Miramar and other Broward cities would be downwind from the proposed locations.

Miramar residents have been vocal in opposing an incinerator near their borders. Residents have repeatedly attended Miami-Dade commission meetings to protest proposals along the county line, highlighting environmental and public health risks.

They have now taken their fight to Tallahassee. Two bills, sponsored by State Rep. Robin Bartleman (D-103) and Sen. Barbara Sharief (D-35), who both represent Miramar, aim to halt Miami-Dade’s plans.

House Bill 1089 and Senate Bill 1196 would restrict where waste incinerators and similar facilities can be built, emphasizing environmentally sensitive areas such as the Florida Everglades.

Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam, who has long opposed a Miami-Dade incinerator near the county line, testified this month before Florida Senate and House committees to advocate for the waste facility bills and Miramar residents’ quality of life.

If passed, the bills would impose stricter environmental rules on incinerators curtailing Miami-Dade’s options, and limit where such facilities can be built near Broward communities.

“We’re threatened by the development of new technology. … We don’t even have a voice,” Messam told lawmakers, the Miramar News reported. “We stand as victims of decisions made by other policymakers that will detrimentally harm our community.”

The bills have successfully passed their first committees and must now pass two additional committees before reaching a floor vote in both chambers.

Since a fire destroyed Miami-Dade’s incenerator in Doral in 2022, the commission has eliminated the contested old Doral and Opa-locka sites, prompting private consortiums to propose new locations.

But the high cost of purchasing private land — including upfront fees of up to $78 million and ongoing royalties of $3 million annually — has renewed discussion of whether to restart the site search, the Miami Herald reported.

Some commissioners have suggested returning to county-owned land to reduce costs and avoid conflicts with neighboring cities such as Miramar.

For now, FCC and FPL are proceeding with their proposals, planning a joint bid to be considered by the commission, the Herald reported.

Construction, wherever it is approved, would begin in 2029, with operations starting around 2034, officials said.