H8400APollution & Waste

State Affairs and Government - Quonset Development Corporation

This bill temporarily bans the construction of new thermal waste conversion facilities at the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park.

Introduced29 Yea9 Nay0 Not voting

Population
Affected

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Introduced Apr 3, 2026Committee House Corporations

Plain-English Summary

This bill prevents the Quonset Development Corporation from allowing the construction or operation of any new thermal waste conversion facilities within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park. These facilities use high heat to break down solid waste, plastics, or sewage sludge into fuels or energy. The prohibition applies to all property managed by the corporation. Any facilities that were already legally operating before the bill's passage are allowed to continue. The ban is temporary and will expire on June 1, 2027.

For younger readers

This bill stops a place called the Quonset Development Corporation from allowing new trash-burning power plants in their industrial park. These plants use very high heat to turn trash, plastic, and sewage into energy or fuel. If a plant like this is already built and working there, it can stay open. This new rule is only temporary and will end on June 1, 2027.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Waste management companiesEnergy production companiesIndustrial park developersLocal residentsEnvironmental advocacy groups

Impacted communities

North Kingstown

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The bill regulates land use and facility permitting within a state-managed industrial park, which falls squarely within the government's zoning and regulatory authority. It does not implicate free speech, search and seizure, or due process, especially since it includes a grandfather clause to protect existing businesses.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Prevents the construction of potentially polluting waste-to-energy facilities, protecting the local environment and air quality from toxic emissions often associated with burning plastics and waste.
Protects the health and welfare of nearby communities by halting the development of industrial sites that process sewage sludge and hazardous solid waste.
Encourages the exploration of cleaner, truly renewable energy alternatives by temporarily blocking thermal waste conversion methods that rely on fossil-fuel-derived plastics.
The ban is only temporary and expires in 2027, which fails to provide long-term, permanent environmental protections for the community against these facilities.
Contains a grandfather clause that allows any existing thermal waste conversion facilities to continue operating, meaning current pollution sources are not addressed or eliminated.
Focuses exclusively on one specific industrial park rather than enacting a statewide ban, leaving other marginalized communities vulnerable to these waste facilities.

For Conservatives

Includes a grandfather clause that protects the property rights and corporate freedom of businesses that were already operating these facilities before the bill passed.
Includes a strict sunset provision (expiring in 2027), ensuring this government regulation on business operations is temporary and will automatically end.
Limits the government restriction to a single, specific state-managed industrial park rather than imposing a sweeping statewide regulation on all private property.
Infringes on corporate freedom by dictating what types of businesses and energy facilities are allowed to operate within the industrial park.
Creates heavy-handed government intervention that could stifle economic development, job creation, and technological innovation in waste management.
Blocks potential private sector solutions to waste reduction and energy generation, forcing reliance on other energy sources and limiting free market energy competition.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 17 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 42-64.10 of the General Laws entitled "Quonset Development Corporation" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 42-64.10-16. Prohibition on thermal waste conversion facilities.

(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, regulation, or authority to the contrary, the Quonset development corporation shall not authorize, permit, lease, approve, or otherwise allow 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.

(b) For the purpose of this section, “thermal waste conversion facility” means any facility utilizing elevated temperatures in a controlled or oxygen-limited environment to chemically decompose or transform solid waste or sewage sludge materials into gaseous, liquid, or solid products intended for energy generation, fuel production, or industrial use.

(c) The provisions of this section shall apply to all real property owned, managed, leased, or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Quonset development corporation.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to impair the right of any individual or entity who lawfully engaged in any activity provided in subsection (a) of this section prior to the effective date of this section.

(e) This section shall expire and have no force or effect as of June 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.