EMERGENCY GENERATORS INSTEAD OF EQCB

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · ordinance

Miami-Dade County is considering an ordinance to amend environmental protection code sections 24-5, 24-18, and 24-43. The proposed changes would authorize administrative approval for emergency generators at healthcare facilities and food stores within wellfield protection areas, subject to specific conditions, instead of requiring public hearings before the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). This aims to streamline the permitting process and reduce development costs for essential facilities. The ordinance revises definitions, operating permit requirements, and prohibitions within wellfield protection areas. Key conditions for approval include the property being served by utility water and sewer, located more than thirty days travel time from a water supply well, outside the Northwest and West Wellfield protection areas, and within the Urban Development Boundary. Fuel storage must be in above-ground facilities with secondary containment, and for food stores, fuel volume is capped at 1,500 gallons. A groundwater monitoring plan may be required. The ordinance is currently in committee, with a first reading and tentative public hearing scheduled.