The future of Covanta’s relocation will be decided on September 19

DORAL, FL – On Wednesday, Sept. 6, a new discussion regarding Covanta Waste-to-Energy plant relocation took place during a Miami-Dade Board of Commissioners Meeting where the County’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan was addressed.

Although the audience was expecting a final decision to be made about this topic, the Board of Commissioners voted in favor of postponing the item for a September 19th meeting. 

“I can’t vote yes on this because we need more information. So, I encourage you not to proper this motion forward,” Board of Commissioners Chairman, Oliver G. Gilbert, III, said referring to District 12th Commissioner, Juan Carlos Bermudez. “On the 19th, we can end this conversation, but it needs to be a complete conversation.” 

This issue was discussed based on Miami-Dade County Major Daniella Levine Cava’s report issued in August where she recommended a Solid Waste Campus that includes a new Waste-To-Energy facility to relocate Covanta at the intersection of Krome Avenue and US 27, commonly referred to as Opa-Locka West Airport.

The 416 acres of County-owned land that sits in the northwest portion of the county outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB), is the first option contemplated by the Major.

“We have an opportunity to become future ready because this a long-term challenge, this memo outlines what I think are the best steps to address this issue. It’s a comprehensive strategy and overall is environmentally, operationally and financially sustainable,” Major Levine Cava said during the meeting. 

“It’s a zero-waste strategy. No site is ideal, but in this case, there are federal and state funding available. We will produce a memo with sequencing suggestions,” she also mentioned before the item was pushed back for a future meeting. 

“I’m not going to proper the motion at this time, out of respect to you and to my colleagues, and I certainly would like my colleagues that for some reason want to keep it (Covanta) in Doral to at some point explain why that’s a good decision,” Juan Carlos Bermudez stated.

The much-heated debate around the destination of this plant started back in March when a fire ignited inside of Covanta affecting neighbors who lived close by for several continuous weeks.

When the fire finally was put out, the general sentiment of Doral’s residents came to surface. Back in that time, the general consensus was that even though Miami Dade County renewed their contract with Covanta Dade Renewable Energy Ltd. in July of this past year, neither the residents of the city, nor the authorities of Doral agreed that the plant should continue its operations within the limits of the city. 

Now, those against continue having Covanta at our city, will have to wait until September 19th when commissioners have more in-depth information on the matter.