Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam is intensifying his metropolis’s combat in opposition to a controversial proposal to construct a brand new waste-to-energy incinerator simply toes from the Broward County line.
At a group assembly Wednesday evening, Messam outlined the potential environmental and financial impacts of putting the brand new facility on the so-called “Airport West” web site — a Miami-Dade County-owned property close to residential neighborhoods in Miramar.
“We hope there was sufficient training on the vulnerability and sensitivity issues because it pertains to Airport West and it simply shouldn’t be on the desk,” stated Messam.
The proposed incinerator is one among a number of choices Miami-Dade commissioners are contemplating as they search a everlasting answer to the county’s waste drawback. Since a hearth destroyed the Doral waste-to-energy plant in February 2023, trash from Miami-Dade has been trucked or despatched by rail to non-public services exterior the county.
Whereas Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava previously declined to recommend a facility on the Airport West web site, the ultimate determination rests with county commissioners. Different choices into account embrace rebuilding on the Doral web site or increasing a landfill — a doubtlessly cheaper but additionally controversial various.
Miramar residents and elected officers stay firmly against Airport West incinerator, citing environmental hazards and fears of declining property values.
“We didn’t transfer to nuisance — nuisance is being proposed in our yard,” Messam advised residents.
Since April, Messam and officers from close by Weston, Pembroke Pines, and Southwest Ranches have voiced sturdy opposition to the location. Final September, Miramar signaled it was able to pursue authorized motion to dam the venture.
Native leaders argue that the proximity to densely populated areas — affecting almost 250,000 residents — presents a serious public well being threat. They level to air pollution issues linked to the now-defunct Doral incinerator, together with emissions related to most cancers and respiratory diseases.
Environmental teams such because the International Alliance for Incinerator Alternate options have additionally raised alarms, warning that incinerators contribute closely to greenhouse gasoline emissions and poor air high quality.
The Airport West web site had been recognized by county consultants as posing the fewest dangers in comparison with places in Medley and Doral. Nonetheless, critics say the environmental and public well being prices are too excessive.
Miami-Dade commissioners are anticipated to make a closing determination on the location throughout the subsequent three weeks.
