The Metropolis of Miramar has raised considerations concerning Miami-Dade County’s proposed building of a brand new waste-to-energy facility, or mass burn facility, on the previous Opa-Locka West Airport situated close to the border of West Miramar, meant as a alternative for the Doral incinerator that caught fireplace earlier this yr.
Again in February, the Miami-Dade County Assets Restoration Facility in Doral went up in flames. The plant, operated by Covanta Power and chargeable for processing about 50% of the county’s trash, has been closed since.
A latest built-in strong waste disposal report submitted to the Miami-Dade County Fee highlighted three potential websites for this new mass burn facility with the OLWA being the popular website.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and a number of other different commissioners are all for constructing the ability on the location of the closed Opa-locka West Airport, seeing as it’s already owned by the county and away from residents — a stark distinction from the Doral website, which was surrounded by many residential properties, and triggered well being considerations for close by residents.
Miramar Mayor in opposition to the transfer
However Mayor Wayne Messam is in opposition to the transfer. He stated that the brand new website is lower than a mile away from properties in his metropolis.
In an announcement expressing his considerations, the mayor acknowledged: “The truth that Miami-Dade County didn’t notify our metropolis about this vital advice is deeply regarding. This location is near the place lots of of Miramar households reside. I query the info that led to the number of the Opa-Locka West Airport. It lacks essential info on its potential affect on our residents’ well being, the Everglades’ clear floor water, and mandatory website research like wind circulation patterns.”
The Doral incinerator is thought to have emitted pollution related to extreme well being dangers corresponding to most cancers, respiratory issues, and reproductive well being dangers. Additional info from the International Alliance for Incinerator Options emphasizes that burning trash impacts efforts to scale back greenhouse gasoline emissions and contributes to air and water air pollution.
Mayor Messam added, “Because the Mayor of Miramar, with the help of the Metropolis Fee, we’re actively partaking with Miami-Dade County officers to reverse this resolution. There are different possible places for such a facility. If the newer applied sciences certainly make these amenities safer, then why not think about areas like Coral Gables, Aventura, or Miami Seashore? Our dedication to Miramar’s security and well-being stays paramount.”
The Mayor additionally famous that the placement of the mass burn facility in Doral was established earlier than residential improvement. Nonetheless, this isn’t the case of the proposed OLWA location, the place residential areas predated the ability.
The Metropolis of Miramar is looking for extra complete research and concerns earlier than finalizing the brand new website for the mass burn facility.
If the fee decides to maneuver forward with the brand new space, it may very well be years earlier than the brand new waste administration website is constructed. Within the meantime, Miami-Dade’s trash will proceed to go to landfills.
