Florida officials are advancing plans to build the largest waste-to-energy facility in the United States, set to be located in Miami-Dade County. The $1.5 billion project aims to replace a previous facility that burned down in 2023 and is intended to process 50% more waste, converting 4,000 tons of garbage into energy each day.
Three potential sites have been identified for the new plant, but the proposal has met with resistance from residents in those areas. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of unpleasant odors emanating from the facility, as well as potential risks to air and water quality. The city of Miramar, located in Miami-Dade County, has even threatened to sue if a site within their borders is selected.
Point phone camera here
The nonprofit organization Florida Rising has also expressed opposition, protesting for alternative, more sustainable waste management solutions, such as composting, and telling the county to “innovate, not incinerate.”
Florida Rising has brought up previous health problems faced by locals living in area surrounding the old waste-to-energy plant, warning they could become prevalent again near this new facility.
“Residents have reported intense odors and eyes and throat burning, making it impossible to be outside as a result of the incinerator, and studies have shown that pollution from incinerators can cause respiratory problems, lung and skin cancer, kidney disease and increased risk of miscarriage,” Florida Rising said in a statement. “The proposed 4,000-ton-per-day incineration facility would be larger than the previous Doral facility and could create more health impacts due to its larger size.”
Officials involved in the project argue that the new plant will be built with advanced technology designed to mitigate environmental impact and reduce odors, addressing some of the criticisms from local residents and environmentalists. The site selection process for the plant is still ongoing. No timeline has been set for the start of construction.
[JACK AYLMER]
NOBODY IN THE WORLD GENERATES MORE TRASH THAN AMERICANS.
AND THERE’S A WAY WE CAN TURN ALL THAT WASTE INTO ENERGY.
BUT THE U.S. HAS BARELY TOUCHED THIS TECH OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES.
UNTIL NOW.
FLORIDA OFFICIALS ARE PLANNING TO BUILD THE NATION’S LARGEST WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY IN FLORIDA’S MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
WE’VE TOLD YOU BEFORE ABOUT HOW THIS CONCEPT WORKS-
NOW THOUGH, WE’RE SEEING MORE OF THE REAL WORLD IMPLICATIONS FROM ITS POTENTIAL USE.
THREE POSSIBLE SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE LOCATION OF THIS proposed ONE POINT FIVE BILLION DOLLAR WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT.
BUT RESIDENTS FROM ALL OF THESE SITES HAVE VOICED OPPOSITION SAYING THEY DON’T WANT IT BUILT NEAR THEM.
LOCALS ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT BAD SMELLS COMING FROM THE PLANT, WHILE ENVIRONMENTALISTS WARN OF ITS POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO WATER AND AIR QUALITY.
ONE PROSPECTIVE CITY EVEN THREATENED TO SUE IF A PROPOSED SITE WITHIN THEIR BORDERS WAS SELECTED.
FLORIDA RISING, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZING GROUP, IS PROTESTING THE PLAN.
THEY’RE CALLING FOR THE COUNTY TO QUOTE ‘INNOVATE NOT INCINERATE’-
ADVOCATING FOR MORE ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS LIKE COMPOSTING.
THE PLANT IS SET TO REPLACE A PREVIOUS FLORIDA WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY THAT BURNED DOWN IN 2023.
OFFICIALS SAY THIS NEW LOCATION WOULD BE ABLE TO DISPOSE OF 50 PERCENT MORE TRASH THAN THE OLDER ONE-
CONVERTING 4,000 TONS OF GARBAGE INTO POWER EVERY DAY.
THEY ALSO CLAIM THE TECH USED TO BUILD THE NEXT PLANT WILL BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND FAR LESS SMELLY.
THE COUNTY’S SITE SELECTION PROCESS CURRENTLY REMAINS ONGOING, WITH NO TIMELINE YET IN PLACE FOR WHEN CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN.
JACK AYLMER – STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.
Straight to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
