Fact check: Has Florida begun construction of incinerators

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, Florida has not definitively begun construction of new incinerators, but there are significant developments indicating movement in that direction. Florida is currently the nation's waste incineration capital with 10 existing facilities ^[1]. The most recent incinerator built in the U.S. since the 1980s was constructed in Palm Beach County, Florida in 2015 ^[1].

Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that will establish a program to subsidize power purchase agreements and expansion expenses for municipally-owned combustion facilities, which could lead to the construction of new incinerators or expansion of existing ones ^[2]. This new law solidifies Florida's status as the nation's waste-to-energy capital ^[2].

Most significantly, Miami-Dade County is planning to build a new $1.5 billion incinerator that would be the nation's largest, though the analysis does not confirm whether construction has actually begun ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the strong opposition these projects face from communities concerned about health and environmental impacts ^[3]. The analyses reveal that trash incinerators are disproportionately harmful to Black and Hispanic people ^[3], indicating significant environmental justice concerns.

There are ongoing lawsuits against existing waste-to-energy plants in Florida citing health concerns and emissions ^[4], suggesting that expansion of incineration capacity is controversial. The state is also working on proposed revisions to Florida's 111(d) State Plan for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units, indicating regulatory oversight is evolving ^[5].

Environmental advocates and affected communities would benefit from highlighting the health risks and environmental justice issues, while waste management companies, municipalities seeking waste disposal solutions, and energy companies would benefit from promoting the waste-to-energy narrative as a solution to landfill capacity issues.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question is relatively neutral but lacks specificity about what constitutes "construction" - whether it refers to active building, planning phases, or legislative authorization. The question also fails to acknowledge the complexity and controversy surrounding incinerator projects in Florida.

The framing could be misleading if it suggests that construction is definitively underway when the evidence shows planning and legislative support rather than confirmed active construction. The question omits the significant public health and environmental justice concerns that are central to the incinerator debate in Florida ^{[3] [4]}.