Debate Heats Up Over New Incinerator Sites in Miami-Dade County

 

Residents in Miramar are sounding the alarm about a new incinerator being planned after last year’s fire that ravaged an existing facility in Doral. Proximity to their homes-a determination of just how close is of particular concern. Residents explained their concerns at a town hall meeting last week, voicing their worries about the possibility of placing a new facility near the West Airport. Also speaking about the potential danger to the local water supply, Mayor Wayne Messam said there are thousands of residences within one mile of the site.

Alternative sites floating for the new incinerator include those in Medley, Opa-Locka West Airport, and the initial Doral site. Doral residents say they are against the rebuilding of the incinerator in their community because of the last accident. Miami-Dade County commissioners have pushed the vote on the new site back to November 6, but Mayor Daniella Levine Cava urged exploration of alternative solutions for waste management, including composting and carbon capture. When debating and voting over waste management needs versus public health and safety, there comes the challenge of how to reconcile conflicting needs.