MIAMI — Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says the cost of building a new incinerator could be significantly higher than previously expected: a staggering $3.16 billion.
That’s more than a billion dollars over prior estimates provided to the county by their consultant. A new incinerator would replace one that burned down in February 2023.
In a memorandum to commissioners issued on Monday, Levine Cava said she’s recommending that they pause negotiations with the joint developer consortium, which is made up of two companies, Florida Power and Light and FCC Environmental Services.
In the memo, Levine Cava said, “The administration has a responsibility to act as a careful steward of public funds and ratepayer dollars. To proceed in a non-competitive manner requires a finding that waiving competition is in the best interests of the county. It is not possible at this time to make that finding.”
Mayor’s memo:
The mayor also added that the county could reopen the bidding process “to ensure the county gets the best deal.”
In 2024, Levine Cava recommended building the new facility in Doral at the same site of the original incinerator.
But that plan fell apart after President Donald Trump returned to the White House, since the facility would be built close to his Doral golf club and would need approval from federal regulators.
But deciding against the Doral facility will cost the county between $300 and $400 million more to build it at an alternative site, according to a 2025 report from the county’s consultant.
The problem currently facing Miami-Dade is getting waste out of the county.
Right now, Miami-Dade is transporting its waste to landfills in other parts of the state because county landfills are full.
Miami-Dade produces 5 million tons of waste per year, a figure much higher than the national average. And building a new facility is a tall task, taking anywhere from seven to 10 years.
This means the county is continuing to transport their trash elsewhere, and, in the process, harming our planet even more.
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