New Law Prohibits Sludge Facility At Quonset

PROVIDENCE, RI — A new Rhode Island law prohibits any thermal waste conversion facilities from operating at Quonset.

The legislation was sponsored by state Rep. Julie A. Casimiro, D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown and Exeter.

“When this proposal first came to the public’s attention, the outrage was swift and rightfully so," Casimiro said in a media release.

"There is no place for a facility like this that would have been located directly above North Kingstown’s water supply," Casimiro said. "The risk is simply too high from a contamination and quality of life standpoint, and this legislation will effectively end the public’s worry about a sludge plant being operated in North Kingstown.”

The new law prohibits the "Quonset Development Corporation from authorizing, permitting, leasing, approving or otherwise allowing the siting, operation or construction of any thermal waste conversion facility, or similar chemical or thermal processes designed to convert solid waste, plastics, biomass, or other feedstock into fuels, energy or chemical products, within the boundaries of the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park," the release said.

"The legislation coincides with a newly approved special joint legislative commission to study Rhode Island’s growing biosolids disposal challenges," according to the release.

See also:

• 5 Shot At Providence Pop-Up Party: Police
• Narragansett Man Drowns When Canoe Capsizes: Cops
• Lincoln Man Stole Ex-Girlfriend's Jeep, Crashed Into 3 Vehicles Fleeing Cops: Police
• 84-Year-Old Man Found Unresponsive In Water Off Warwick Pronounced Dead At Hospital: Cops
• Rhode Island Under Flood Watch