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Committee narrows bill to block incinerators near a Broward Everglades impoundment; Miramar mayor and county officials testify
Summary
Senate Bill 946, restricted by amendment to prohibit incinerators and certain waste-to-energy facilities at or near the C-9 Impoundment Area in Broward County, was reported favorably after testimony from municipal and county officials and industry representatives.
Senate Bill 946, which originally prohibited permitting of multiple types of solid-waste facilities within two miles of the Everglades Protection Area, was amended and reported favorably by the committee after sponsors narrowed the restriction to a specific Broward County impoundment area (the C-9 Impoundment Area).
Chair Rodriguez explained the bill’s aim: to preclude local governments from approving permits for solid waste facilities, municipal waste-to-energy, pyrolysis, or incinerators proposed near key Everglades restoration project areas. The sponsor then presented an amendment that limited the prohibition to the C-9 Impoundment Area, a site identified for construction in fiscal year 2027 and a component of the Broward County Water Preserve Areas project.
City of Miramar officials and Mayor Wayne Messam testified in support of the amendment. Mayor Messam said the proposed site sits an eighth of a mile from Miramar’s border and near the Airport West area of Miami-Dade, and described the amendment as narrowly tailored to protect Everglades restoration investments and local residents. “It would protect the investment that this state and the federal government has made in Everglades restoration,” Messam said.
Miami-Dade County counsel (Jess McCarty) acknowledged the amendment is an improvement but warned that restricting one site could push facilities toward more densely populated urban areas closer to residences, schools and commercial development. Industry representatives, including the Florida Waste Energy Coalition’s executive director Joe Klieschmer, opposed the bill and argued that waste‑to‑energy facilities have strict emissions controls and provide environmental benefits compared with landfills.
Committee debate emphasized competing priorities: protection of Everglades restoration assets and project investments versus maintaining local waste management options. Senator Avila said the state should act when local jurisdictions do not resolve siting; other senators asked staff questions about scope. After a brief debate and a roll call, the committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 946 favorably with the committee substitute.
Votes at committee: SB 946 (as amended to restrict siting near C-9 Impoundment Area) reported favorably.
Next steps: Sponsor and opponents signaled willingness to continue negotiations as the bill proceeds in the Senate.
