On Tuesday, the City of Miramar’s leaders, along with prominent community organizations and elected officials from nearby cities, came together at City Hall for a crucial press conference.
Led by the Miramar City Commission, the event focused on the urgent matter of a proposed new waste-to-energy facility by the Miami-Dade Commission.
This proposed facility, slated for construction at the old Opa Locka West Airport, is in close proximity to West Miramar, just a stone’s throw away, less than an eighth of a mile, putting nearly a quarter million residents in surrounding cities like Weston, Pembroke Pines, and Southwest Ranches at risk.
The project aims to replace the aging Doral incinerator, which was engulfed in flames in February of last year. Covanta Energy operated the plant, responsible for processing approximately 50% of the county’s waste, until it was shut down after the fire.
In late last year, a report on integrated solid waste disposal submitted to the Miami-Dade County Commission identified three potential sites for the new mass burn facility, with OLWA being the preferred choice.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and several other commissioners are all for building the facility on the site of the closed Opa-locka West Airport, seeing as it is already owned by the county.
But Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam expressed the community’s deep concerns, advocating for an alternative site in Medley, Florida, a predominantly commercial area with existing infrastructure more suitable for such a development.
Facility harmful to nearby residents
Mayor Messam also noted previously that the location of the mass burn facility in Doral was established before residential development. However, this is not the case in the proposed OLWA location, where residential areas predated the facility.
The Doral incinerator was known to emit pollutants linked to serious health risks such as cancer, respiratory problems, and reproductive health issues. Additional insights from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives underscored how incinerating waste hampers efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to air and water pollution.
The press conference illuminated the unified stance of Miramar and its allies against the proposed location.
Anagha Iyer, Chair of the Broward Sierra Club, and Mackenzie Marcelin, representing Florida Rising, articulated the younger generation’s concerns regarding the long-term environmental and health repercussions of the proposed incinerator. Elected officials, such as Florida State Representative Robin Bartleman, Pembroke Pines Mayor Angelo Castillo, and others, echoed the sentiment that Miami-Dade County must involve Miramar as a pivotal stakeholder in this decision-making process.
The gathering underscored a shared commitment to sustainable, health-conscious waste management solutions that safeguard the well-being of nearby communities. It called upon the Miami-Dade Commission to reassess the proposed site in favor of a location posing lower risks to residential areas and the environment.
Last month, the city also launched a petition, advocating for a thorough environmental impact assessment before any construction activities commence on the proposed incinerator.
“We need to explore sustainable options for waste management rather than resorting to outdated methods like incineration. Our city deserves better,” Mayor Messam said.
